Most people who have a little interest in American history have read Benjamin Franklin’s words which seemed to bring about a final consensus and agreement on the basics of our Constitution. I believe I have even repeated them here on this blog at some time or another. (If you can’t remember them or want to have them again go to the book “FoundingFathers–Uncommon Heroes”. What Ben said is there on page 33. If you don’t have the book yet, for heaven sakes, get it right now. Click here.)

Many don’t remember what Ben said next. It seems to be given to us as a warning on how to use this government. I will repeat those words here:

“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree with this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such. Because I think a general government necessary for us, there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and I believe further that this is likely to be well administered for a coarse of years, and can only end in despotism as other forms have done before it, when (here he gives his solemn warning) the people have become so corrupted as to need a 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 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 perfection as it does; I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear 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.” (“The Completed Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin”, edited by Mark Skousen, Ph. D. 2006, pages 366-367.)