On the eve of the 248th anniversary of our republic's independence, "COS at Home" will feature a most appropriate guest: Benjamin Franklin....in the person of Convention of States Action Texas state co-director and Franklin reenactor Darren York.
"COS at Home" is hosted by COSA regional director and political liaison Jonathan Viaud, and will air on July 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The episode can be live-streamed here.
You can take a closer look at Darren's work by visiting his "Ben Franklin Live" website.
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most famous men to have ever lived. One of seventeen children of a Boston candlemaker, he had only two years of formal schooling, yet has been awarded honorary degrees from six universities and recognized the world over as a great philosopher, scientist, inventor, and statesman. He has written about everything from military strategy and literature to mastodon teeth and pickled sturgeon.
Franklin is a true citizen of the world and an American original.
Franklin is also one of the most uniquely gifted and accomplished of the Founding Fathers. That may seem like a bold statement given the success and formidable genius of those great men, but it is nevertheless true.
His reputation and calming influence during the proceedings in the sweltering summer of 1787 in Philadelphia was instrumental in untangling knots and fostering compromise amid the often-contentious and plodding framing of the Constitution (with the notable exception of George Mason's addition to Article V, about which no debate was deemed necessary).
Franklin's characteristic wit and wisdom during the impasse between the large and small states concerning legislative representation can be neatly summed up in an allusion he made befitting his own versatile political, philosophical, and practical abilities:
"The diversity of opinion turns on two points," he said. "If a proportional representation takes place, the small states contend that their liberties will be in danger. If an equality of votes is to be put in its place, the large states say their money will be in danger.
"When a broad table is to be made, and the edges of planks do not fit, the artist takes a little from both, and makes a good joint. In like manner here both sides must part with some of their demands, in order that they may join in some accommodating position."
Those accommodations were made, though as Franklin noted in his final communication to the convention on September 17, 1787, it would be impossible to satisfy all of the esteemed delegates:
"From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does...Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best."
Franklin's subsequent response to Philadelphian Elizabeth Willing Powell's question about what the delegates finally crafted following the compromises and agreements in 1787 resounds through the ages: "A republic, if you can keep it."
That republic, a republic of limited government and ordered liberty, is exactly what COS is trying to keep by activating Article V of the Constitution that was bequeathed to us by Franklin and his fellows.
In that spirit, the enlightening and inspirational discussion between Jonathan and Benjamin Franklin will make July's "COS at Home" one to remember.
Per usual, this edition of "COS at Home" will also feature timely updates about Convention of States Action's progress across the country and interesting segments with the grassroots, all produced by the talented Garrett “Producer G” Humbertson.
Be sure to help make "COS at Home" interactive by participating in the Minutemen Mailbag segment. Questions that may be read and answered on the program can be sent to the Minutemen Mailbag via this link.
Do not miss Benjamin Franklin's special Independence Week appearance and the informative segments on the upcoming edition of "COS at Home". Watch beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on July 3.
