That is one of the most abused quotes from America's independence period. Franklin said that in 1755. It was republished in 1775 at the height of the rebellion against England. In 1788 Franklin was a Federalist, supporting the proposed constitution which was ratified in 1789. He argued against libertarians like Jefferson who wished to retain state sovereignty under the loose and powerless Articles of Confederation.
In other words, Franklin was willing to give up liberty for safety. What was "essential" to others wasn't to him. (The same fundamental principle of politics every generation since has reckoned with.).
Worse, just 6 years prior to the revolution, Franklin was in London. At that time, John Wilkes was a radical politician critical of King George, so popular he was elected to parliament three times -- from *prison*. Tensions between his supporters and the King culminated in the St. George's Field Massacre where troops fired on Wilkes supporters, killing 7 and wounding 15.
Four days later, Franklin wrote from London: "Some punishment seems preparing for a people who are ungratefully abusing the ... best king any nation was ever blessed with ..."
Six years later, Franklin and others were radicals like Wilkes, hiding from the the same King George, calling him a tyrant.
Politicians have always been the same. Changing positions, expedient, telling groups what they want to hear. Franklin excelled at this.
History class over. Back to math.
