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"Two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men... (power and money" (TR)
American Minute ^ | June 28, 2019 | Bill Federer

Posted on 07/01/2019 8:53:10 AM PDT by Perseverando

The Constitutional Convention was in a deadlock over how large and small states could be represented equally.

Some delegates left.

Then, on JUNE 28, 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin spoke and shortly after, the U.S. Constitution became a reality.

Franklin stated:

"Groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us,

how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights ...

... In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection.

Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.

All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor ...

And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? ..."

Franklin concluded:

"We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it' ...

I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed ... no better than the Builders of Babel."

Ben Franklin had given another address at the Constitutional Convention several weeks earlier titled "Dangers of a Salaried Bureaucracy," June 2, 1787:

"Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men ... ambition and avarice -- the love of power and the love of money ...

When united ... they have ... the most violent effects.

Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall, at the same time, be a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to

(Excerpt) Read more at myemail.constantcontact.com ...


TOPICS: AMERICA - The Right Way!!; Education; History; Society
KEYWORDS: americanminute; benfranklin; constitution; foundingfathers; ushistory
And now for a little dose of the Founding Fathers....
1 posted on 07/01/2019 8:53:10 AM PDT by Perseverando
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To: Perseverando

Medieval philosopher Aquinas:

* Pleasure
* Possessions
* Power
* Prestige

The last two may be more powerful than the first two.


2 posted on 07/01/2019 9:03:20 AM PDT by CharlesOConnell (CharlesOConnell)
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To: Perseverando
To put it more simply...just look at Willie Brown and you'll see the two passions wrapped up in one package.
3 posted on 07/01/2019 9:37:21 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (A joke: Comey,Brennan and Lynch walk into a Barr...)
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To: CharlesOConnell

Four things greater than all things are, -
Women and Horses and Power and War.

Rudyard Kipling


4 posted on 07/01/2019 9:43:05 AM PDT by Dogfaced Soldier
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To: Perseverando

Ben Franklin understood the Deep State.


5 posted on 07/01/2019 2:39:02 PM PDT by YogicCowboy ("I am not entirely on anyone's side, because no one is entirely on mine." - J. R. R. Tolkien)
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