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?
He supported the Constitution because it has a balance of powers so that no one group can control the government. The open Constitutional door refers to the amendment process.
thanks so much
You are very welcome.
George Washington supports the Constitution because he believes that the powers it grants are distributed among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches in a way that prevents the government from becoming despotic or oppressive. He argues that as long as there is virtue in the people, the government will not degenerate into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any other form of tyranny. Washington states that the proposed Constitution has more checks and barriers against the introduction of tyranny than any other government in history.
When Washington mentions that "a Constitutional door is left open," he is referring to the fact that the Constitution includes provisions for amendments or changes to be made. He acknowledges that the Constitution may not be perfect and that improvements may be necessary in the future. He suggests that if the Constitution is found to be less perfect in practice than it can be made, there is a mechanism in place to amend or revise it. This allows for the possibility of repairing any flaws or shortcomings that may arise through the process of governance.