James McHenry, a delegate from the State of Maryland to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, wrote notes on the Constitutional Convention which were published for the first time in1906 in the American Historical Review. His record is not nearly as comprehensive nor as definitive as are the Notes journaled by James Madison of the proceedings of the Convention. Franklin was reportedly replying to a question posed to him by Elizabeth Willing Powel a prominent society lady and the wife of Philadelphia Mayor Samuel Powel, about what was being created by those assembled in Constitutional Hall. It was to Franklin’s comment that the equally witty Mrs. Powel was reported to have replied: “And why not keep it.”
A republic is a form of government understood to be one in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives which elect a president. It is not clear if Franklin or Mrs. Powel would be more astonished by the events which are occurring in Washington today and which undoubtedly will continue for least several more days.
It is clear that President-elect Joe Biden will be certified by the Congress as the winner of a majority of the electoral votes when the inane floor debate concludes later this week. The challenge to this republic being produced in the Congress is why Franklin’s comment were so prescient. One would assume that the 81-year-old Franklin would have looked at these events and been extremely saddened.
President Trump is the conductor of this reckless behavior by the Republican Members of Congress. It is Trump’s followers, however, who are striking fear into the future political careers of many of these Members. Republican Senators and House Members who are seeking re-election in 2022 or have even higher aspirations—including running for President themselves—are just afraid to confront the Trump “base.”
The political tragedy in America today and especially within the ranks of the Republican Party is that there are so few political leaders who are prepared to challenge the President, their colleagues, and their party. It is unclear how many of the Republicans see themselves as servants of the people; to do what is best for the country and not just to get themselves re-elected. Like their Democratic counterparts they were chosen to govern not to sow chaos. The hubris which they feel and the power which they presume to assert clearly means more to them than the value of human lives. Most of the Members are totally comfortable in repudiating all the principles that their education and their faiths have taught them.
One truly wonders what the oath of office that they took today really means to them: that they
… do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
The American democracy is clearly in crisis. While it did not begin with Donald Trump it was certainly exacerbated and encouraged by America’s first elected wannabee authoritarian ruler. The Republicans in the Congress must bear the responsibility for whatever they will reap. The Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence would be appalled at what is happening to the republic to which they “mutually pledge[d] to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
Perhaps Benjamin Franklin sensed this as well when he wrote concerning the Constitution and this new Republic that he did indeed have genuine fears for what irresponsible people might create. “Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good.”
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