Here are 8 statements by the founding fathers outright condemning the abominable practice of slavery.
As the monuments from America’s history are under attack, including the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument, there are some truths that aren’t being spoken about. Like the fact that some of our founding fathers actually condemned the practice of slavery.
IJR| Thomas Jefferson, Drafter of The Declaration of Independence
[King George III] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither … Determined to keep open a market where Men should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or restrain this execrable commerce.
George Washington, The First President of the United States
I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it—but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, & that is by Legislative authority: and this, as far as my suffrage will go, shall never be wanting.
James Madison, Drafter of the U.S. Constitution
We have seen the mere distinction of color made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man. What has been the source of those unjust laws complained of among ourselves? Has it not been the real or supposed interest of the major number?
John Jay, First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honor 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.
Continue reading the other 4 statements here…
The original draft of the Declaration of Independence included language that would have ended slavery in America but certain states refused to ratify unless that language was removed. Jefferson blamed the removal of the passage on delegates from South Carolina, Georgia, and Northern delegates who represented merchants who were at the time actively involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
It is confusing to me as to why black people think they are the only ethnicity that was oppressed? Too bad they aren’t knowledgeable in history, but they are victims of their own choosing. Everyone else who have ancestors who were slaves isn’t living life as victims. Move on!