When Franklin said " A republic if you can keep it..."?

Question

WHat was he really trying to say.. and have we kept that republic>>>?

Answer 1

I think he was referring to the difficulty of maintaining a republican form of government.

Generally, republics don't last very long--Rome is a good example of one that lasted for hundreds of years, but it eventually became an empire--and it was then that its slow decline began.

The American republic looked to the Roman republic for many of its forms--and has also replicated many of its vices.

There was a large underclass in the late republic, the traditional stability of the family had been undermined by the ease with which divorces could be obtained, and the old ideals of service to one's country had fallen by the wayside.

I recall John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech in which he urged his fellow citizens to "ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." I'm sure that there must have been more than one Roman who made the same plea to HIS fellow countrymen 2000+ years ago.

Answer 2

shortly after the revolution, 'ol ben was asked what kind of govt has the newly minted usa got? he responded, "a republic, sir, if you can keep it." yes. we still have the same 'ol govt 220 years later. good, huh? in fact, we have the most copied & envied constitution of all time still in existence in it's original form. it is the oldest govt still in form as planned & executed back from inception in 1776 & instituted in 1787. now, what was ben "really" trying to say? say what? he answered a question and challenged the rest of then americans with a word of caution, "becareful what you wish for...you might get it!"

Answer 3

His reply advises that the freedom of self government comes at the cost of personal involvment. A complacent constituency may serve to hand itself back into the bonds of tyranny. Where would you say we are heading?