...and I think it will astonish our enemies. . . . Thus I consent, Sir, to the Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. Max Farrand, ed., Records of the Federal Convention 0/1787, rev. ed., 4 vols. (New Haven, Conn., 1987),...

...once thought right, but I found to be otherwise ... I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best." an independent Tennessee Senator\)he became the subject of the united states first impeacnment trial,...

...to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best. . . I hope, therefore, that for our own sakes, as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity,...

...adopting "a general Government" at that time, he declared his consent "to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best." Although there is no direct evidence, I believe that for Franklin one of the important features of...

...the new one may take its place." Like Benjamin Franklin, who supported the Constitution "because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best,"52 Madison quickly embraced the Constitution designed to create a more perfect Union. Three weeks...

...for the Purpose of cutting one another's Throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it...Errors, I sacrifice to the Public Good. I have never whisper'da Syllable of them abroad. Within these Walls they were born, & here they shall die. If every...

..."this Constitution, with all its faults" because, he said, "I expect no better, and because I am nor sure that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good." And he concluded by "expressing a wish, that every member of the Convention who may still have objections...

...Constitution . . . I agree to this Constitution, with all its Faults, if they are such, because 475 The Opinions I have had of its Errors I sacrifice to the Public Good. I have never whisper'da Syllable of them abroad. Within these Walls they were born, & here they shall die. If every...

...to hear that our councils are confounded. . . . Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best." Madison, in transmitting the draft Constitution to the Continental Congress, wrote that "In all our...

...for a "general Government." Thus, when Franklin asserts that he accepts the Constitution "because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best" (W9:607-8), he is asserting a kind of democratic fallibilism that anticipates the advance of the common...