ADDRESS TO THE DELEGATES On September 17,1787,a letter from Benjamin Franklin was read by James Wilson of Pennsylania, after which the Constitution was signed and offered for ratification by the states. I confess that I do not entircly approve of this Constitution at present.but Sir.Iam not sure I shall never approve it:For having lived long I have experienced many Instances of being oblig'd,by better Information or fuller Consideration,to change Opinions even on important Subjects,which I oncc thought right.but found to be otherwisc.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 two Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their Doctrine. is.the Roman Church is infallible.and the Church of England is never in the wrong.But tho'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 little Dispute with her Sister.said.I don't know how it happens.Sister.but I mcet with no body but myself that's always in the right.Il n'ya 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 I 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.ADDRESS TO THE DELEGATES On September 77, ij8j, a letterfrom Benjamin Franklin was read by James Wilson ofPennsylvania, after which the Constitution was signed and offeredfor ratification by the states. I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present, but Sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it: For having lived long, I have experienced many Instances of being oblig d, 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 two Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their Doctrine, is, the Roman Church is infallible, and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But tho 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 little 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. // 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 I 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