Final answer:
Benjamin Franklin admired the Constitution for its incorporation of democratic principles and necessary compromises, but also recognized the need for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. He saw it as a vital instrument for creating a government of ordered liberty, despite it not initially having specific individual protections which led to concerns, ultimately leading to the addition of the Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Franklin, one of the original framers of the Constitution, held both admiration and pragmatic views towards the document. Acknowledging the influences from the Iroquois Confederacy and the ideas of leading Enlightenment thinkers, Franklin saw the Constitution as a necessary construct to remedy the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, while also incorporating democratic principles vital for the new nation. Although the Constitution was the result of numerous compromises and did not initially include specific protections for individual rights leading to concerns and debates about its adequacy, Franklin ultimately recognized its significance in creating a government with ordered liberty, a view shared by many historians.
During the Constitutional Convention, Franklin expressed concerns about the potential for government overreach and the lack of certain protections, which eventually led to the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. The need for balance between a strong central government and the preservation of states' rights was a delicate one, and it was debated among the delegates, including Franklin. Despite these apprehensions and debates, Franklin shared a sentiment of accomplishment and hope for the future of the United States upon the signing of the Constitution. He reportedly indicated the importance of the Constitution by pointing to a symbol of a half-sun painted on George Washington's chair, signifying the birth of a new nation.