Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-07-11
THE EXAMPLE OF BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN

this nation has produced. He was
ono of the trainers of the constitu-
ton of the United States and there
were many provisions in it TO which
he seriously objected and which he
considered dangerous to the future
welfare of the colonies. Yet when
the draft OF the constitution had
finally been completed, he advocat-
ed and worked for its adoption, de-
spite the features which he consid-
cred Objectionable.
Persons who are in doubt about
supporting the league of nations
covenant because it contains certain
provisions which they oppose should
read and ponder over the advice
given by Franklin in his last speech
in the constitutional convention,
which was also the last speech of his
life. He said;
Mr.. President:
II confess that there are several
parts of this constitution which l do
not at present approve, but l am not
SIRE shall never approve them. For
having lived long, / have experienced
many instances of being obliged by
better information, or fuller consid-
Grafton, to change opinions even on
important subjects, which | once
thought right, but found to be other
wise. 1t is therefore that, the older
I grow, the more apt | am to doubt
my own Judgment, and to pay more
respect to the judgment of others.
Most men, indeed, as we'll 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 Protest
ant, in dedication, tells the Pope,
that the only difference between our
tainty of their doctrines, is, the
Church of Rome is infallible, and the
Church of England is never in the
wrong" But though many private
persons thing almost as highly of
their own infallibility as of that OF
their sect. few express it so natural
~ as a certain French lady, who. in
dispute with her sister, said, I
don't know how it happens, sister,
but | meet with nobody but myself
that is always in the right
I'm these sentiments, sir, l agree
to this constitution, with all its
faults, if they are such; because
think a general government neces-
sary for us, and there is no form of
government but what may be a
blessing to the people ii well admin
istered; and l believe further, that
this is likely to be we'll 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. / doubt, too, whether
any other convention we can obtain
may be able to make better consti-
number of men to have the advant-
age of their joint wisdom, you in
evitably assemble with those men all
their prejudices, their passions, their
errors of opinion, their local inter-
ests and their selfish views. From
such an assembly can a perfect pro-
duction be expected? 1t therefore
astonishes me, sir, to find this sys-
tenn approaching so near to perfec-
ton as it does; and | think it will
astonish our enemies, who are wait
ing with confidence to hear that our
councils are COMPOUNDED. like those
of the builders of Babel, and that
our states are on the point of separ-
alton, only to meet hereafter for the
purpose of cutting one another S
threats. Thus consent, sir. to this
constitution, because | expect no bet
ter, and because | am not sure that
it is not the best, The opinions l
have had of its errors | sacrifice to
the public good. have never whis-
pered a syllable of them abroad.
Within these walls they shall die If
eTery one of us, in returning to our
constituents, were to report the OBJ
jections he has had TO it, and endeay-
ca TO gain partisans in support OF
them. We might prevent its being
generally received, and thereby lose
all the salutary effects and great adj
yantages resulting naturally in our
favor among foreign nations as we'll
as among ourselves. from our real
or apparent unanimty. Much of the
strength and efficiency of any gov.
eminent, in procuring and securing