BY CHRIS POH, PUBLISHER OF AMERICAN PUBLIC
HOUSE REVIEW
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A
NATION RISING
THE PERCHING
PUBLICAN HIMSELF
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By
the
spring
of 1787, less than four years after the signing of “The
Treaty of Paris” which formally ended British hostilities in America,
the new nation was already facing an internal crisis of such
proportions that the demise of democracy in the New World seemed
imminent. In response those that had crafted the Declaration of
Independence and the Articles of Confederation agreed to hold a
convention at the Philadelphia State House. Their
goal was to
strengthen the articles of governance so that the intense differences
between the states might be resolved.
Through most of that summer the delegates argued, cajoled and
deliberated over several state and individual initiatives designed to
stabilize the American government. The harvest of their cultivation and
compromise would be our Constitution. Benjamin Franklin made this
astute observation about the document,
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"There
are
several
parts of this Constitution which I do not at present
approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. ... I doubt too
whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a
better Constitution. ... It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this
system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it
will astonish our enemies..." - Benjamin Franklin
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www.teachingamericanhistory.org
THE SIGNING OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY (1873-1952)
The ultimate success of that convention may be attributed to the hand
that guided those proceedings. For three months George Washington
presided over what was at many times an extremely contentious affair.
And when an accord was finally achieved and it was time to ink the
deal, once more it was the words of Benjamin Franklin that defined the
moment. As he stood waiting to attach his signature to the final draft,
he made this comment about the half sun carved onto the backrest of the
mahogany armchair that Washington had occupied while overseeing the
Convention.
RISING SUN ARMCHAIR BUILT
BY JOHN FOLWELL 1779
"I have often looked at that picture
behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising
or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is
indeed a rising, not a setting sun." - Benjamin Frankli
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As American Public
House Review begins its third year of publication we thought it would
be fitting to spend an extended amount of time in the city where our
forefathers conceived and constructed our democracy. During our two
year sojourn to America’s historic taverns we have been witness to many
of the same attitudes and conditions that threatened the wellbeing of
this nation in 1787. But like those men that came to Philadelphia
during that long sweltering summer over two hundred years ago, we
believe that when good natured rational people gather to address their
concerns and disputes – democracy shall prevail.
Following the signing of the Constitution on September 17th, many of
the delegates repaired to the City Tavern for a hearty meal
and ample celebratory refreshments. According to George Washington,
they “dined together and took
cordial leave of each other.”
In that same spirit our staff will spend some quality time in some
great chairs throughout this fine city. Because like Doctor Franklin we
are of the same opinion that America is not in her decline – but we are
in fact a “Nation Rising.” Just don’t ask us to rise before last
call.
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