[poconopundit]

It's a very interesting quote of Lincoln's.

Understanding that we would one day break up monopolies might have eased his concerns. But today we have Globalism to worry about that he probably didn't foresee.

Ben Franklin understood the inevitable rise of corruption at the formation of the Republic. The actor Eli Wallach says Franklin's words in the film shown over and over again at the Philadelphia Liberty Bell center:

"In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I believe, farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other."
Speech to the Constitutional Convention (September 17, 1787)

[DiogenesLamp]

"In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I believe, farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other."

Franklin was indeed perceptive, and wiser than most. He was a rare talent.