Know Thyself
Due to our Country’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I’ve been on a bit of a Benjamin Franklin kick. You may have heard the story of how upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens asking what sort of government the delegates had created.
Wikipedia: The source of this quotation is a journal kept by James McHenry (1753-1816) while he was a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention. On the page where McHenry records the events of the last day of the convention, September 18, 1787, he wrote: “A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy – A republic, replied the Doctor, if you can keep it.” Then McHenry added: “The Lady here alluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philada (Elizabeth Willing Powel).” The journal is at the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress.
A republic, if you can keep it. What amazing forethought two and a half centuries ago. They just CREATED a form of government, one that Benjamin Franklin knew in 1787 would be difficult to hold together.
If he could see us in 2026, what do YOU think Dr. Franklin’s thoughts would be on our ‘keeping’ abilities?
Last Updated on 03/26/2026 by Death of Hypatia Inc.
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