The Fourth of July may have already come and gone, but a lot of folks are still talking about American history. Something that caught my eye was an article Wall Builders recently published about the Founding Fathers’ views on slavery.
In this day and age, a lot of folks seem to be of the opinion that most, if not all, of the Founders owned slaves or were pro-slavery. But take a look at some of our Founders’ own words on the issue.
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Prior to the great Revolution, the great majority . . . of our people had been so long accustomed to the practice and convenience of having slaves that very few among them even doubted the propriety and rectitude of it.”
Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congres:
“[E]ven the sacred Scriptures had been quoted to justify this iniquitous traffic. It is true that the Egyptians held the Israelites in bondage for four hundred years, . . . but . . . gentlemen cannot forget the consequences that followed: they were delivered by a strong hand and stretched-out arm and it ought to be remembered that the Almighty Power that accomplished their deliverance is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.”
John Adams:
“[N]ever in my life did I own a slave.”
Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence:
“[W]hy keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil.”
Benjamin Franklin:
“That mankind are all formed by the same Almighty Being, alike objects of his care, and equally designed for the enjoyment of happiness, the Christian religion teaches us to believe, and the political creed of Americans fully coincides with the position. . . . [We] earnestly entreat your serious attention to the subject of slavery – that you will be pleased to countenance the restoration of liberty to those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded into perpetual bondage and who . . . are groaning in servile subjection.”
You can read many more quotes similar to these by clicking here.
