Benjamin Franklin’s brief closing remarks at the Constitutional Convention combined humility, realism, and a pressing appeal for unity. He confessed that there were parts of the draft Constitution he did not yet approve, but—mindful of his long life and experience—he recognized that new information and reflection often change judgments. That admission set a conciliatory tone: Franklin urged his colleagues to “doubt a little of [their] own infallibility” and consider the common good above private objection.
Franklin emphasized the practical need for a general government and argued that no assembly of men could produce a perfect instrument because each member brings prejudices and local interests to the table. He therefore accepted the Constitution “with all its faults” and appealed to his fellow delegates to sign in order to exhibit unanimity and enable the new government to begin under the best possible auspices. His short remarks were followed by a symbolic observation (the famous “rising sun” remark) as the delegates signed the document, an image that has since stood for optimism at the founding.
Benjamin Franklin Constitutional Convention Closing Speech
Date: September 17, 1787
Place: Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), Philadelphia
Full Text (as recorded in James Madison’s notes)
Mr. President.
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.
Most men indeed as well 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 Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty 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 think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said “I don’t know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that’s always in the right—Il n’y a que moi qui a toujours raison.”
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 believe farther 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 doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views.
From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and 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.
Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die.
If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity.
Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors.
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 (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administred.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.
The “Rising Sun” Remark (as Madison recorded)
Whilst the last members were signing, Dr. Franklin, looking toward the President’s chair (behind which a “rising sun” was painted), observed that painters had sometimes difficulty in distinguishing a rising from a setting sun. He said he had often looked at that sun during the session without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting, but that now he had the happiness to know it was a rising and not a setting Sun.
Annotations & Footnotes
- Authorship & delivery. Benjamin Franklin reduced his remarks to writing but was too infirm to read them himself; James Wilson read them aloud on his behalf. The wording below follows the version recorded in James Madison’s notes of the Convention.
- Textual source. The full text above is reproduced from Madison’s official notes as printed in standard documentary editions of the Convention records. Madison’s shorthand and punctuation choices have been lightly regularized for readability, but the wording and sentence structure are Madison’s.
- Why this version? No verbatim stenographic transcript exists beyond delegates’ personal notes; Madison’s record is the most authoritative contemporary account and is the source used by documentary editors such as Max Farrand and by modern collections (e.g., the Avalon Project).
- The political context. Franklin’s speech was an appeal designed to encourage signatures and to convey unity. Three delegates—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—refused to sign the Constitution that day.
- Historical significance. Franklin’s combination of modesty and statesmanlike appeal—together with the rising-sun image—has been widely quoted and anthologized as emblematic of the Convention’s close and the founders’ cautious optimism.
Sources
- James Madison, Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 (as printed in documentary editions).
- Avalon Project, Yale Law School — “Madison Debates: September 17” (transcription of Madison’s notes).
- National Park Service — “September 17, 1787: A Republic, If You Can Keep It” (context on the signing).
- TeachingAmericanHistory.org — “Benjamin Franklin’s Final Remark, Federal Convention” (Madison’s recorded remark about the rising sun).
