Use the quote below to answer the following question.
“[T]hese Powers . . . are so distributed among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, into which
the general Government is arranged, that it can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an
Oligarchy, an Aristocracy, or any other despotic or oppressive form; so long as there shall remain any virtue
in the body of the People. . . . It will at least be a recommendation to the proposed Constitution that it is
provided with more checks and barriers against the introduction of tyranny . . . than any government [ever]
instituted among mortals [has] possessed. We are not to expect perfection in this world: but mankind, in
modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of Government. Should that which is now
offered to the People of America, be found on experiment less perfect than it can be made—a Constitutional
door is left open for its [repair]. . . . So many, I may add, such contradictory, and, in my opinion, unfounded
objections have been urged against the System [under consideration]; many of which would operate equally
against every efficient Government that might be proposed.” —George Washington, letter to the Marquis de
Lafayette, 1788
12. Why does George Washington support the Constitution? To what does “a Constitutional door
is left open” refer?
3 answers
1 answer