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to be hailed as one of the greatest ever forged by human

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beings, our own Federal Constitution.

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At that time, on September 17, 1787, there were

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grave misgivings and serious doubts' among the group. And

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of those who entertained some doubts was one Benjamin

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Franklin, then 81 years of age, with a career already behind

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him that had not been, and still has not been, excelled in

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the history of our Nation.

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The venerable Doctor Franklin confessed that

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there were parts of the document he did not approve — and

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I think this has been quoted on the floor of our Convention

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by a delegate a few weeks ago, but I believe it bears

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repeating on this occasion, and I quote from him — "But

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I am not sure," he said, "I shall never approve them. For

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having lived long, I have experienced many instances of beirg

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obliged by better information or full consideration, to

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change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once

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thought right but found to be otherwise.

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"In these sentiments, Sir" — I am still quoting

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— "I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if

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they are such, because I think a general government