Both of those things are true at the same time. They didn't care about slaves themselves, they only cared about virtue signaling how moral they were by pretending to care about slaves. Despising the plantation owners was a means by which they could do this.
Seriously, look at the Liberal world view right now. Do they promote policies that actually help the underclass, or do they promote policies that make themselves feel good while doing nothing for the underclass?
Abortion is a liberal sacrament. Do you know how the abortion movement began, and who it was directed at? Were they really trying to help people, or were they just exploiting them? I think the abortion movement clarifies greatly how liberals perceived a certain group of people.
Actions speak louder than words.
Wow. You mean that had ‘’virtue signaling ‘’ in 1861 huh?