In memory of my beloved wife,Adelle, who encouraged me to dream. And for Darwin Dick Bahm who helped make this dream come true
In memory of my beloved wife, Adelle, who encouraged me to dream. And for Darwin DicK Bahm wfto helped maKe this dream come true
ADDRESS TO THE DELEGATES On September 17,1787,a letter from Benjamin Franklin was read by James Wilson of Pennsylania, after which the Constitution was signed and offered for ratification by the states. I confess that I do not entircly approve of this Constitution at present.but Sir.Iam 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 oncc thought right.but found to be otherwisc.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 Roman 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 of 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 mcet with no body but myself that's always in the right.Il n'ya 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 administered:and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered 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
ADDRESS TO THE DELEGATES On September 77, ij8j, a letterfrom Benjamin Franklin was read by James Wilson ofPennsylvania, after which the Constitution was signed and offeredfor ratification by the states. 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 Roman 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 of 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. // 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 administered: and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered 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 dic.If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the Objections he has had to it.and endeavor 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 favor 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 WisdomIntegrity 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 Endeavors to the Means of having it well administred.- On the whole.Sir.I can not 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.-
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, 6 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 endeavor to gain Partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary Effects 6 great Advantages resulting naturally in our favor 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 6 securing Happiness to the People depends on Opinion, on the general Opinion of the Goodness of that Government as well as of the Wisdom 6 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 6 unanimously in recommending this Constitution, wherever our Influence may extend, and turn our future Thoughts and Endeavors to the Means of having it well administred. On the whole, Sir, I can not 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
This is a Backbone Man cannot stand erect without one.Neither can a country. ne backbone of the United States of America is her Constitutjon
IS is a BacKbone. Man cannot stand erect without one. Neither can a country. The bacKbone of the United States of America is her Constitutjon
here are features in his face gentleman of one of the totally different from what I ever first fortunes on the conti observed in that of any other nent sacrificing his ease human being;the sockets of the eyes. and hazarding al)in the cause for instanceare jarger and the upper of his country.JOHN ADAMS part of his nose broader.All his fea re errs as other men do but tures are indicative of the strongest errs with dignity.ERS passions,yet his judgement and great command make him appeara man of a different cast in the eyes of the wor]d.SIBERT STUART ashington is the might iest name on earth.. long since mightiest in the cause of civil liber- ty;sti]]mightiest in moral reformation. On that name an eulogy is expected. Let none attempt it.In solemn awe.pronounce the name,and in its naked deathless splendor leave it on Shinng.ABRAHAM IINCOLN corge Washington as a boy was ignor ant of the common est accomplishments of youth.He could not even le.MARK TWAIN 异领系9 there has scarcely appeared a ris mind was great and powerful really great man whose character without being of the very first has been more greatly admired in order;his penetration strong, his lifetime or jess correctly under- though not so acute as that of Newton, stood by his admirers...his talents Bacon orLocke,and as far as he saw were adopted to lead without dazzling no judgement was ever sounder:It mankind,and to draw forth and was slow in operation being little aided employ the talents of others without by invention or imagination but sure being misled by them.FSHER MES in conc]usjon.THOMAS.JEFERSON
There are features in his face orally different from what I ever observed in that of any other human being; the socKets of the eyes, t)r instanc^ane larger and the upper part of lus nose broader. All his fea tures are indicative of the strongest passions,yet hisjudgement and great command make him appears man of a different cast in the eyes Of the World. SKBERTSIWHT T i T^shington is the mightl/V iest name on earth... t T bn^ since mightiest / in the cause of cjvjj liber ty; stil] mightiest in moral reformation. On that name an eulogy is expected lt none attempt it. In solemn \ awe, pronounce the name,and in its naKed deathless splendor leave it on shining. A&wtwwcotw George Washington as a boy was ignor ant of the common est accomplishments of youth . fie could not even lie. A gentleman of one qf the irst fortunes on the continent sacrificing his ease, and hazarding all in the cause Of his country. JOHNJDAMS I_re errs as other men do but I errs with dignity There has scarcely appeared a eaiiy great man whose character ias been more greatly admired in his lifetime or less correctly understood by his admirers... his talents were adopted to lead without dazzling mankind, and to drawjbrth and employ the talents of others without being misled bythem. nis mind was great and powerful without being of the very first order; his penetration strong, though not so acute as that of Newton, Bacon orLocKe, and as fir as lie saw no judgement was ever sounder It was slow in operation being little aided byinvention or imagination but sure in conclusion