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According to the Maryland delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention,  Benjamin Franklin was reportedly approached by a lady with a question as the  convention drew to a close. The Constitutional Convention had been called to  address several critical issues facing the fledgling confederacy of colonies.  There were several domestic issues, involving among other things, national  defense, taxes and commerce to be resolved. It must be understood that the 1777  Articles of Confederation (which served as the written document that established  the functions of the national government) did not empower the new government to  tax, control commerce or regulate many other domestic affairs.

For example, since Congress lacked the power to levy taxes, it depended on  financial contributions from the states to repay foreign loans, as well as the  soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Several of the states would not  participate, and since the former colonies (now states) themselves often engaged  in economic discrimination against each other, the fledgling nation faced doubts  as to its ability to survive. There were those, both at home and abroad, who  wondered if any treaties with the new nation were valid. In point of fact, the  young nation was essentially bankrupt and something had to be done.

The founders, via the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, convened 55  delegates to “devise such  further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution  of the federal government adequate to the exigencies of the union.”

There were a number of issues facing the delegates: the liberties of  conscience, protection of creditors and debtors, and, of course, the issue of  slaves and slave owners. While there were other issues, these were some of the  major topics to be addressed.

The colonies had recently been subjected to rule by a monarch, by dictate,  and had lacked the freedom to make decisions for themselves, by themselves. The  overriding concern now was, how would they subsequently be governed?

The question posed by this lady to Franklin was rooted in the concerns of  many: “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

Benjamin Franklin reportedly replied, “A republic Madame, if you can keep  it.”

Two were two critical issues in Franklin’s short response and both are  vitally important. Failure to grasp either of them would be extremely  detrimental to the future of the 13 colonies then and our 50 states today.

“A republic”: The United States Constitution created what we now know as a  representative republic, one of the few in the world. It is vital that we  comprehend that America is not a democracy and was never intended to be one, no  matter who calls it such. “Democracy” never once appears in the Constitution.  This is why; in a democracy, the majority makes laws directly. Put another way,  it can easily become, essentially, mob rule. However, in a representative  republic, elected representatives, chosen by the people, make the laws and are  subject to the laws according to the limited powers assigned them in a written  document.

“… if you can keep it”: Prior to the American revolution, most nations were  ruled by kings or dictators. The people were subject to them, had nothing to do  with rulership and had no responsibility for, or say so in, their own destinies.  The founders’ intent was clearly demonstrated by their assignment of the destiny  of the people to the people. The people were to be responsible for their own  future and the future of their children. “We the people” was more than merely a  slogan or poetic phrase. It was indicative of the desire and intent of the  founders for the people to become and remain active in their own destinies.

“… if you can keep it” was a dire warning. The liberties endowed by our  Constitution were in the hands of the people themselves; they were not to be  delegated, inherited or passed on by virtue of status. It was anticipated that  the people themselves would become knowledgeable and remain actively involved in  the defense and maintenance of their own liberties.

There was to be “liberty and justice for all” – not for a privileged few or  the rioting many, but individual liberty secured by an informed citizenry  participating in their own representative governance.

Is that what is presently taking place in America, or have we abandoned our  republic to a privileged few professional politicians and political party  hacks?

Who do/should/would we hold accountable for the loss of our republic? Us or  them?

“Well, America, what have we got?”