While reading this speech, the following portion stood out to me like a flashing red beacon:
"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, further, 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 have to sit and wonder, slightly surprised by my own fears - have we honestly become the society that Franklin claimed would be the only way to destroy the Constitution? I must admit that for many of us in our current society - by our apathy, our selfishness, our desire to be popular with extreme opinions - we may have, or perhaps we are just on our way there. Now is the time to put a stop to it - this is not a "political party" rant - I don't care what party qualified, honorable, and fair minded leaders come from - only that they do come forward and once again begin to truly "represent" the people of this Country.
