Abstract

[Excerpt] Commentators recently have reminded us of a famous statement Benjamin Franklin allegedly made upon exiting Independence Hall on the final day of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. When asked whether the proposed Constitution would establish a monarchy or a republic, Franklin supposedly answered: "A republic, if you can keep it."

The anecdote, which both inspired the title of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch's recent book and was recounted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi when she announced the impeachment inquiry into the conduct of the president, reminds us that our republican form of government is not to be taken for granted.

Publication Date

2-8-2020

Journal Title

The Concord Monitor

Publisher

The Concord Monitor

Document Type

Article

Additional Information

This article is part of the series Constitutional Connections by John M. Greabe and was originally published by the Concord Monitor.

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