re: #283 Obdicut

The document itself contains the ‘2/3’ bit. It’s important to remember that.

It, in its writing, endorsed slavery.

The part about all men are created equal is wonderful. The part that says 2/3 of all other persons, not even having the moral courage to say ‘slaves’, is shameful.

Once again, a perfect world cannot be created overnight, nor can social mores (acceptance of slavery) going back to before written history be instantly banished by a piece of paper. Nor unfortunately could this own countries founding fathers, even though many held enlightened ideals entirely overcome the resistance of their State legislators and political supporters. The Constitution never could have been ratified without that language, therefore it was included out of necessity.

They did the best they could given the reality of the time, and as it turns out, better than anyone could have ever expected them to then.