...most incumbent and wealthy candidates who are beaten actually defeat themselves. AN IMPERFECT SYSTEM assemble a number of men to have the advantage of...opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. . . . Thus I consent... to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not...

...He confessed himself unable to agree with each word of the constitution. But that was not the point. "When you assemble a Number of Men, to have the Advantage of their joint Wisdom," he told his fellow delegates, "you inevitably assemble with those Men all their Prejudices, their Passions,...

...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...opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir,...

...forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, the views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir,...

...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...opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir,...

...diversity and clashing interests in America. He had come to realize during years of public service that "when you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage...opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views." Franklin's efforts to bring the delegates together drew them back into a deliberative mood,...