The Founding Fathers were prescient enough to know that future generations would alter their thinking on many subjects. That’s why they punted on abolishing slavery in 1788.
Which is why they created the Amendment process for people who wish to modify the eligibility requirements for the Presidency.
Now of course this doesn't mean they can change the meaning of "natural citizen", it just means that they can remove it as a requirement.
That's why they punted on abolishing slavery in 1788.
They didn't really punt on it. They actually incorporated a clause in the Constitution that protected it. That made it virtually impossible to get rid of it so long as a single state allowed it.
They should have stuck with their principles and insisted on following the principle expressed in the Declaration of Independence, that "All men are created equal, and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. "
But pragmatism won the day. You know, the same sort of pragmatism that you are always so intent on expressing. :)