Benjamin Franklin’s September 17, 1787 Speech
July 4, 2026 marks the United States of America’s 250th anniversary–the semiquincentennial. It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like bicentennial, but that’s neither here nor there. July 4, 1776 is the date designated as the Declaration of Independence’s official signing. As such, The Baltimore Informer is kicking off our branch of this celebration by republishing primary source material of the USA’s history–particularly that of the U.S. Constitution’s founding.
While the Constitution wasn’t ratified until 1788, it’s the most important historic document that is still relevant in modern day America. Knowing the “behind the scenes” of its formation is extremely important for current generations. Without that knowledge, even more tyranny than we’re currently experience would take a stranglehold over our daily lives. The COVID-19 Lockdown Era may have been prevented if every citizen over the age of 18 knew these lessons from history.
If you care about government corruption the way we do here at The Informer, you’ll want to read the full text and share it with fellow American citizens young and old. Let’s start with Ben Franklin’s famous Constitutional Convention speech. First, the original Old English wording followed by a modern interpretation/adoption.
“I AGREE TO THIS CONSTITUTION, WITH ALL ITS FAULTS”
Benjamin Franklin’s Speech at the Conclusion of the Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia, September 17, 1787
I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present, but Sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it: For having lived long, I have experienced many Instances of being oblig’d, by better Information or fuller Consideration, to change Opinions even on important Subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own Judgment and to pay more Respect to the Judgment of others. Most Men indeed as well as most Sects in Religion, think themselves in Possession of all Truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far Error. Steele, a Protestant, in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only Difference between our two Churches in their Opinions of the Certainty of their Doctrine, is, the Romish Church is infallible, and the Church of England is never in the Wrong. But tho’ many private Persons think almost as highly of their own Infallibility, as that of their Sect, few express it so naturally as a certain French lady, who in a little Dispute with her Sister, said, I don’t know how it happens, Sister, but I meet with no body but myself that’s always in the right. Il n’y a que moi qui a toujours raison.
In these Sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its Faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well administred; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administred for a Course of Years, and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution: For when you assemble a Number of Men to have the Advantage of their joint Wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those Men all their Prejudices, their Passions, their Errors of Opinion, their local Interests, and their selfish Views. From such an Assembly can a perfect Production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this System approaching so near to Perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our Enemies, who are waiting with Confidence to hear that our Councils are confounded, like those of the Builders of Babel, and that our States are on the Point of Separation, only to meet hereafter for the Purpose of cutting one another’s Throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best.
The Opinions I have had of its Errors, I sacrifice to the Public Good. I have never whisper’d a Syllable of them abroad. Within these Walls they were born, & here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the Objections he has had to it, and endeavour to gain Partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary Effects & great Advantages resulting naturally in our favour among foreign Nations, as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent Unanimity. Much of the Strength and Efficiency of any Government, in procuring & securing Happiness to the People depends on Opinion, on the general Opinion of the Goodness of that Government as well as of the Wisdom & Integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own Sakes, as a Part of the People, and for the Sake of our Posterity, we shall act heartily & unanimously in recommending this Constitution, wherever our Influence may extend, and turn our future Thoughts and Endeavours to the Means of having it well administred.
On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a Wish, that every Member of the Convention, who may still have Objections to it, would with me on this Occasion doubt a little of his own Infallibility, and to make manifest our Unanimity, put his Name to this Instrument.
Then the Motion was made for adding the last Formula, viz Done in Convention by the unanimous Consent &c –which was agreed to and added–accordingly.
Modern English Translation of Benjamin Franklin’s Speech:
I admit I don’t approve of everything in this Constitution right now. I might change my mind later. I’ve lived a long time and I’ve had to change my stance on major issues after getting better information. I once thought I was completely right but found out I was wrong. The older I grow, the more I doubt my own judgment and respect the views of others.
Most guys–and most religions–think they hold the absolute truth. They assume anyone who disagrees is completely wrong. A lot of people act like a certain French lady who once argued with her sister. She said she never met anyone besides herself who was always right.
I agree to this Constitution with all its faults. We desperately need a national government. Any government can be a blessing if the leaders run it well. This setup will probably work for a long time. It will only end in a dictatorship when the people become so corrupted they need a tyrant to control them.
I doubt we can write a better document. When you cram a bunch of men in a room to use their combined wisdom, you also bring all their prejudices, passions, errors and selfish local interests. You can’t expect a perfect result from a group like that.
I’m shocked this system gets so close to perfection. It will blindside our enemies. They expect us to fall apart and cut each other’s throats. I consent to this Constitution because I expect nothing better. I sacrifice my personal complaints for the public good. I’ve kept my mouth shut outside these walls. If we all go back to our constituents and run our mouths about our personal objections, we ruin any chance of the public accepting this. We lose our strength at home and abroad. A government only works when the public believes in the integrity of its leaders.
We must act completely united. Every member of this convention with lingering complaints needs to doubt their own infallibility for a minute. Sign the document.
Summary:
Benjamin Franklin admits the new Constitution has flaws. He signs it anyway because he knows he lacks all the answers. He calls out the sheer arrogance of politicians who think their specific way is the only way. He warns that a government only collapses into a dictatorship when the people and the leaders become entirely corrupt. He demands the rest of the convention swallow their pride, ignore their selfish local turf wars and show a united front to the public.
