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Exhibit Guide
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 Founding Generation > Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was a delegate to the Continental Congress and edited Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin submitted a plan that also heavily influenced the writing of Articles of Confederation. As ambassador, he convinced France to assist the new nation financially and militarily. In addition to a long career in politics, Franklin was also a writer, advocate for education reform and a scientist. His publication, Poor Richard’s Almanack, was popular in the colonies and overseas in Europe. Many often repeated quotes and witticisms that are still in use today such as “A penny saved is a penny earned,” came from the Almanack. As the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he reputedly described the new form of government as “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” Thoughts on the Constitution Franklin, a Federalist, was concerned about giving too much power to a single executive and wanted to see a committee instead. He believed that Congress should be able to override a presidential veto and was opposed to the unchecked executive veto that Alexander Hamilton favored. He favored the ability to impeach an unlawful chief executive and also believed that the president should serve without a salary. Franklin played a key role in the compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey plans, giving all states equal representation in the Senate and the larger states more representation in the House of Representatives. Remarks made upon the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention: 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. He continued: I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and endeavors to the means of having it well administered. Thoughts on the Bill of Rights and personal liberties Franklin died in April 1790, more than a year and a half before the Bill of Rights was ratified. His opinions on the bill of rights and personal liberties are evident throughout some of his earlier work such as Rules by which a Great Empire May be Reduced to a Small One: “This king, these lords, and these Commons, who it seems are too remote from us to know us, and feel for us, cannot take from us our habeas corpus right, or our right of trial by a jury of our neighbors; they cannot deprive us of the exercise of our religion…” Franklin was also an abolitionist who served as the president for the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Friends and Foes Franklin’s closest ally was Thomas Jefferson. He was also a fan of Thomas Paine. back to Founding Generation |
Citizen Ben PBS.org The Papers of Benjamin Franklin The Packard Humanities Institute |
