But no major Founder, and very few if any lesser lights, claimed slavery a positive virtue.
jeffersondem: "Yes, George Washington owned slaves.
That was not a disqualifier, then or now, preventing him from being honored as Father of Our Country.
But if you think it is, say so."
Washington can speak for himself:
- "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 slavery."
"Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle."
