User:Robbie/Franklin here: Difference between revisions
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<p>In late February, 1787, the Continental Congress had voted to set up a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation, strengthening their central governing powers. 12 of the 13 states elected slates of delegates by various procedures. By late May, the delegates, slowly assembling in Philadelphia, reached a quorum and began to deliberate officially. Through the summer, 55 delegates took some part in deliberations, of whom a number left for various reasons, personal and substantive, with 39 signing their completed draft Constitution on September 17th.</p> | <p>In late February, 1787, the Continental Congress had voted to set up a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation, strengthening their central governing powers. 12 of the 13 states elected slates of delegates by various procedures. By late May, the delegates, slowly assembling in Philadelphia, reached a quorum and began to deliberate officially. Through the summer, 55 delegates took some part in deliberations, of whom a number left for various reasons, personal and substantive, with 39 signing their completed draft Constitution on September 17th.</p> | ||
<p>Among the delegates, George Washington, then 55, and Franklin, then 81, both immensely experienced and world famous, imparted a sense of gravitas to the Convention in public opinion. The delegates unanimously elected Washington to serve as president of the Convention, | <p>Among the delegates, George Washington, then 55, and Franklin, then 81, both immensely experienced and world famous, imparted a sense of gravitas to the Convention in public opinion. The delegates unanimously elected Washington to serve as president of the Convention, which he did with exemplary impartiality. Franklin, a delegate from Pennsylvania, served quietly, speaking up as needed to preserve the inclusive sense of unity among the delegates by promoting compromises when serious deadlocks were potentially arising. Younger delegates, then less prominent such as James Madison, shaped the substantive course of deliberations. </p> | ||
<p>Through the summer of 1787, the delegates had deliberated about governing powers and their checks and balances. They worked through specifics, and arrived at a consensus on each; in August, they consolidated the particulars into a working draft; and in early September, they polished the text for style. Mid September, the time to conclude had arrived. A few delegates opposed the draft and a few more wavered, but most believed they had achieved their common purpose—to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution, based on the sovereignty of the people, and to establish a strong central government, one that could act wisely and vigorously within the nation and for the nation within the world.</p> | <p>Through the summer of 1787, the delegates had deliberated about governing powers and their checks and balances. They worked through specifics, and arrived at a consensus on each; in August, they consolidated the particulars into a working draft; and in early September, they polished the text for style. Mid September, the time to conclude had arrived. A few delegates opposed the draft and a few more wavered, but most believed they had achieved their common purpose—to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution, based on the sovereignty of the people, and to establish a strong central government, one that could act wisely and vigorously within the nation and for the nation within the world.</p> | ||
<p>On the 17th, Franklin had a short speech read out on his behalf initiating the signing of the Constitution by the assembled delegates. It ended, “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 and unanimously in recommending this Constitution, wherever our Influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and Endeavours to the Means of having it well administered.” </p> | <p>On the 17th, Franklin had a short speech read out on his behalf initiating the signing of the Constitution by the assembled delegates. It ended, “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 and unanimously in recommending this Constitution, wherever our Influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and Endeavours to the Means of having it well administered.” </p> | ||