>>By most standards the founders were brilliant, brave, and great men, but some of the them were too stupid to see that slavery was intrinsically immoral and actually owned them. It's hard to explain that. But what we see as obvious, is not always so obvious in a completely different environment with completely different norms and understanding.<<
I think their own documents show that they knew slavery was wrong, but feared the just retribution that they felt would come their way if they were to free the slaves.
"I can say with conscious truth that there is not a man on earth who would sacrifice more than I would, to relieve us from this heavy reproach [slavery], in any practicable way. the cession of that kind of property, for so it is misnamed, is a bagatelle [possession] which would not cost me in a second thought, if, in that way, a general emancipation and expatriation could be effected: and, gradually, and with due sacrifices, I think it might be. but, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other"
"I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil."
-- Patrick Henry, letter to Robert Pleasants, January 18, 1773
"There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it."
-- George Washington, letter to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786
"Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States ... I have, throughout my whole life, held the practice of slavery in ... abhorrence."
-- John Adams, letter to Robert Evans, June 8, 1819
"It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honour of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people. To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused."
--John Jay, letter to R. Lushington, March 15, 1786
"Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, 1821
"[The Convention] thought it wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men."
-- James Madison, Records of the Convention, August 25, 1787
"There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it."
-- George Washington, letter to Robert Morris, April 12, 1786
I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.
Thomas Jefferson
brainyquote.com
They weren't stupid. They knew what they were doing was wrong, but they lacked the moral fortitude to do what was right. |
