Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention, a lady of some renown (Elizabeth Powel) asked Dr. Franklin, 'Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" Franklin replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." 9/18/1787
Mrs. Powel was a well-known confidant of many of the founders. Washington was planning to retire after one term, but Mrs. Powel wrote him pleading that the union would be in danger of separation if he did. The rest is history.
