Benjamin Franklin said our government will be "a republic, if you can keep it." What did Franklin mean?

A

The government can change at any time.

B

A republic is not a good form of government.

C

The citizens of a republic have to participate and work to keep it.

D

Franklin did not want the Constitution to be ratified.

When Benjamin Franklin said "a republic, if you can keep it." he meant that The citizens of a republic have to participate and work to keep it.

He said this because our constitution is not a self correcting government. But, it requires the constant devotion and attention of all citizens in order to have a unified nation.