Having recently reread James Madison’s Journal of the Federal Convention, (the last time being in college) reminded me of the old adage that “he who speaks last, speaks first.”

Ben Franklin did not speak much at the convention, but when he is recorded as having done so his remarks were usually general and positive in nature – this despite the fact that there was much disagreement and acrimony between the delegates.

While members were signing the final document, Franklin “looking toward the President’s (George Washington’s) chair” observed that an image of the sun had been carved into the back of it. He had not been sure whether it was a “rising” or “setting” sun but now, at the end of this contentious convention, he was sure that it was a “rising, and not a setting sun.”

Franklin was old at the time, and the seemingly endless proceedings took place over a hot summer in Philadelphia. For secrecy and privacy reasons, the windows in Independence Hall were kept closed. That he could sit there for four months through the heat, often boring debate and parliamentary squabbles, is quite a remarkable accomplishment in itself.

To read Madison’s Journal is a grind, as most of it is written in the way you would write up the minutes of any formal meeting – roll call votes, votes to refer to committees, reports from committees, arguments about quorums, etc.

And underlying the proceedings was an expressed disappointment in the status of the country at that time – a pessimism about its future. Many of the delegates had come from state legislatures and did not hold them in high regard. Many comments were made about the self-serving nature of politicians, “exotic corruption,” “office hunting,” and the “mischievous influence of demagogues.”

In response to these concerns, some had proposed limiting participation in the new federal government to “natives” only, to those born in the country. Others thought that requiring that elected officials have wealth and be property owners would help clean up corruption.

But, Ben Franklin reminded those gathered that many people not born in the country had helped win the American Revolution and that “some of the greatest rogues he was ever acquainted with were the richest rogues.”

And, so it went, back-and-forth, over four hot summer months in 1787, through various proposals, votes and revotes until consensus was finally reached. (Not all would sign it.) The issue of slavery in the country was also hotly debated, and a three-fifths compromise was made to the southern states so that slaves would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation purposes.

The proposed Constitution was not a perfect document, but it was the best they could do at the time to build a better and stronger nation.

The last entry in James Madison’s Journal came from the “old salt” in the room, Ben Franklin – the sun was rising and not setting. The proposal would go to conventions in the 13 states for their approval, asking the people to support it in order to create a stronger union. It was approved, and here we are, after many Amendments and a Civil War to settle the slavery question, still going some 238 years later.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.