Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention

Assembled at the State House were men who could hardly be counted on to agree about anything. The only uniting force they had was their disdain for the policies and actions of King George III and the Imperial Government in the Court of Saint James. Yet now, with the Revolution over and the 13 former colonies, now states, looking to form their own government the task was a daunting one. Patrick Henry, the former governor of Virginia whose battle cry of Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death would give new meaning to the struggle, would refuse to attend, weary of what would be passed. The Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, the Hamilton Plan, they would threaten to tear the Constitutional Convention apart.

Then would rise Benjamin Franklin, the elder statesman from Pennsylvania to give his passionate speech in defense of the new document. To his brothers now assembled he would plead put not your trust in yourself or your judgment but understand we are all infallible. This Constitution may not be perfect but it is as near perfect as we will find this side of heaven. Sign it, show your unanimity, let not our enemies watch as we falter and fall, set to strive, cutting each others throats as they all predicted we would.

As we look around today and see such a flagrant disregard for the Constitution, for its weight and meaning, Franklin's plea takes on new meaning for us, yet it still sets the standard by which we should be guided by. Trust not in your own infallibility but look to the institution, the document that gave form to and shaped the Republic, the document that many good men and women laid down their lives in defense of, the standard by which good government is administered and good Governors are held to the highest of accountability.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Benjamin Franklin
• The Constitution
• James Madison
• Founding Fathers

[MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[wyattmcintyre]

thanks man

[Fringe111]

Hey Wyatt, It's so good to see one of your vida again. Take care my friend.

I loved the way you did this one

[wyattmcintyre]

Thanks, it took a bit of work, but I got every delegate to the constitutional convention I could find pictures for plus the first President, Speaker of the House, Vice President and President Pro Tempore in there. I was happy with how that turned out. :) Hope all is well with you

[lookhearseee]

Outstanding and important vid my friend, thanks!.

[tegthethird]

What does the Constitution say? In order to form a MORE PERFECT union.

Wonderful video!

[ShelbyFaye2010]

@iamabigbaddude

its true i have a copy of it in my American Lit. book.

[TheApolljr]

3:22

[TheApolljr]

3:24 

[floridamadman59]

every member of congress should hear this. 

[TheBalancedRepublic]

Looking for supporters of election reform. We have a unique proposal but some of you will understand and some may even show support

[iamabigbaddude]

I do not know this to be true anyone can add words and say it was whoever......

[mrslagle1]

This is brilliant!!!

Great video

[HEYxHEYxCOLLIExTAY]

the voice is verry creepy but this is going to help me with my english homework so thanks! haha

[Sqaaak]

Excellent Video and recitation of the sublime text. Thank you! Truly, Benjamin Franklin, together with Thomas Paine, are and remain two of the most crucial if not THE most crucial of our republic's founders. My only criticism is regarding the music: why the insipid, vapid and empty new-age noodlings? With the whole of the great revolutionary classical movement in music at your disposal, surprising that you did not choose one of the slow movements from so many Beethoven Piano Sonatas!

[TheJoester1992]

in particular, Benjamin Franklin as an elitist. This video, I think, is testament to that.