The following was written by COS Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) intern Dani Landivar. Learn more about the ELP here.
On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Dr. James McHenry, a young Maryland delegate, witnessed a fleeting but significant moment—one that would be lost to history if not for his meticulous notes. As the proceedings came to a close, McHenry recorded a memorable exchange between Benjamin Franklin and a certain Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia. At 81, Franklin was the oldest delegate, revered as the "sage of the Constitution," and had lived in Philadelphia for over six decades.
According to McHenry, Mrs. Powell put her question to Franklin candidly: "Well, doctor," she asked him, "what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?"
Franklin, who was rarely short of words or wit, replied: "A republic, madam—if you can keep it."
But what exactly did Dr. Franklin mean by this?
In his insightful book titled If You Can Keep It, Eric Metaxas explains,
“What [Franklin] meant was what we have been talking about and what everyone in the Constitutional Convention understood—that whatever document they ended up with, and whatever government it described and created, could be only a beginning. The people themselves would have to do a lot to make it work. A government in which the people would govern themselves would be fragile and would require the people’s attention in a way that no other government would… it would be we—“we the people,” in the famous phrase—who must “keep” it.”
This begs the question: are we keeping it?
Yes, we are still using the Constitution today in our government system. Certainly, it is still at the very core of our decision making and law practices as a nation. But just because we are still using it doesn’t mean we are keeping it the way the founders intended.
I found the definition of “keep” in the Britannica Dictionary to be particularly enlightening: “to continue having or holding (something): to not return, lose, sell, give away, or throw away (something).”
To properly keep something as precious as the Constitution requires intentional effort. Like freedom, it is not inherited through the blood stream; instead, it depends on the conscious actions of one generation to equip the next. Without this effort, we risk discarding the invaluable legacy our founders worked tirelessly to provide.
As many of today’s students prepare to become future voters, how many genuinely understand the importance of the Constitution? A Newsweek poll reported by ABC News offers some insight—70 percent of 1,000 citizens surveyed could not correctly identify the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution is the fundamental framework that defines and limits the powers of government, ensuring the protection of individual rights and liberties. As the cornerstone of America's constitutional republic, it establishes a system of checks and balances and separation of powers, which have allowed the nation to thrive for over two centuries. Understanding its significance is crucial to preserving the unique political system it created.
I'm not suggesting that we all become experts on the Constitution, but understanding what is enshrined within along with how it came to be are vital facets of actually being able to “keep” it.
For younger generations, the Constitution represents not just a historical document but a living instrument that shapes their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities. To ensure its continued relevance and strength, it is essential that each new generation understands its principles, engages in informed civic participation, and recognizes the ongoing responsibility to safeguard these ideals.
Here at Convention of States, we work steadfastly to preserve and enact the principles enshrined in the Constitution—especially Article V. Far from weakening the Constitution, using Article V strengthens it. It reaffirms the Founders’ vision of a government that remains accountable to the people. The Constitution is not a relic to be admired from a distance; it is an enduring foundation that demands ongoing attention and defense against threats—whether they come from apathy, misunderstanding, or overreach.
In the end, the strength of our nation hinges on our collective commitment to preserving the ideals that have shaped our constitutional republic. The future of the Constitution—and the freedoms it guarantees—rests in the hands of “We the People”. The work of safeguarding our republic is never finished; it is an enduring responsibility we all share. If Dr. Franklin was standing among us today, I believe his challenge would be clear: “You still have a republic—what will you do to keep it?”
