1. What words or phrases are used to describe slavery?
2. Who does Jefferson blame for the continuation of the slave trade?
3. Why did the Constitution allow slavery to continue if the Declaration of Independence claimed that “all men are created equal”? Use evidence from the excerpts above.
The excerpts are below ⬇️
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#1 Mr Rutledge
“Religion and humanity have nothing to do with this question. The true question at present is whether the Southern States shall or shall not be a part of the Union. If the Northern states think about their interest, they will not oppose the increase of slaves because they will profit by selling the goods that slaves produce.”
#2 Mr Williamson
“Southern states could not be members of the Union if the slave trade ended. It is wrong to force anything that is not absolutely necessary, and which any state must disagree to.”
#3 Benjamin Franklin
“I agree to this Constitution with all its faults because I think a federal (national) government is necessary for us. When you assemble a large group of men, you will inevitably find that they will disagree with each other about their local interests and their selfish views. We have to accept some of these disagreements in order to build a national government.”
Inevitably: certain to happen, unavoidable
#4 Mr. Ellsworth
“Let every state do what it pleases. The morality or wisdom of slavery are decisions belonging to the states themselves. What enriches a part enriches the whole.”
