| The desire for
independence stemmed from the American Revolution
which changed the sentiments of the public "loyalty
to the British connection to a desire for independence"
(Bloom 529). North Carolina had been the first
state to direct the Continental Congress to agree
to an independence which other states later followed.
The agreement stemmed from the confederation that
was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia
and John Adams. However, the formal acceptance
of the need for independence was only possible
when a committee was appointed to draft the Declaration.
These include Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin
Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston
(Bloom 529). The Declaration of Independence was
drafted on July 2, 1776 and finalized on July
4 after extensive debates. Although the Declaration
no longer resemble what it had been when it was
first drafted nevertheless the view points of
the framers can clearly be seen in its constituents.
According to Thomas Jefferson ..."Severe
strictures on the conduct of the British king,
in negativing our repeated repeals of the law
which permitted the importation of slaves, were
disapproved by some Southern gentlemen whose reflections
were not yet matured to the full abhorrence of
that traffic. Altho' the offensive expressions
were immediately yielded, these gentlemen continued
their depredations on other parts of the instrument."
(Dumbauld 19) His explanation of the slave association
with society and freedom had been endorsed by
Benjamin Franklin's views. Franklin had been the
only member who signed all the four documents
of independence which makes him a valuable figure
in American history.
Franklin's view of Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution: Franklin had been the son
of soap and candle maker who was self taught.
Because of his intelligence and interest in the
colonies while working as a printer. His knowledge
of politics stem from his association with the
Pennsylvania Gazette which makes his views critical
as well as pragmatic.
When Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania
Assembly he began a career in public administration.
It is through his activities that one comes to
know that Franklin believed in liberty of property,
unity and freedom of expression. This has been
at the heart of his Albany Plan. He believed in
the cooperation and organized structure of a state
that would promote education, religious tolerance
and a simple life which was his philosophy on
the American democracy. However, this did not
work well with fellow delegates. On the other
hand fellow delegates were keener on separation
from Britain. In 1757 Franklin was to visit England
with a petition to the king regarding state taxes
to represent American colonies, albeit unsuccessful.
It was after this visit that he was assigned with
the task to draft the Articles of Confederation
that later form the basis for the Declaration
of Independence. In the Articles Franklin provides
the view that mutual understanding among the people
would free its inhabitants whether these be it
the State, paupers, vagabonds or fugitives. He
further writes that liberty to all was at the
most important element for the formation of the
Confederated states. Each state should have its
own freedom and sovereignty, power of jurisdiction
as well as the ability to enter into contract
with other nations in the interest of securing
its own liberty and welfare ("The Articles
of Confederation" 2004). These views had
also been repeated again when he signed the Constitution.
At the age of 81 Franklin became a senior statesman
of the Constitutional Convention and contributed
in writing its draft. Franklin views on equality
were evidence from his declaration that "When
a broad table is to be made, and the planks do
not fit, the artist takes a little from both,
and makes a good joint." (Wright 154). By
this comment one can understand that Franklin
had been of the view that the formation of a state
is a difficult task. Even before the signing of
the Constitution, he believed in the equal rights
and rejected the powers of the self appointed
legislative. Instead he believed in the collaboration
of the elected representation in Congress.
According to Franklin, every one need to compromise
for further progress. Without compromise whether
by the minority or the majority, there can be
no liberty. He believed that the spirit of compromise
should outweigh the consequences of not to compromise
as had been the views of his fellow delegates.
Although Franklin did not approve of the content
of the Constitution wholly, he was of the view
that without their cooperation, the signing of
the Constitution would not have been possible
and perhaps it would not have been so unanimously
approved. He believed in self government and the
virtues of the leader of the people.
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