So with the last few years having a lot of focus on the downfalls/evils/etc of various previously revered figures in American history, to me it seems important to still have prominent Americans to look up to as a nation, but I slept through American history.
So of the founding fathers era, while none were perfect, who were the “best” of them as far as ethics/morals/not doing bad stuff/etc?
I assume looking at the non slave holders would be a good start.
Maybe John Quincy Adams, tbh.
Benjamin Franklin had slaves and freed them and was a member of an abolitionist society. Alexander Hamilton’s in-laws owned slaves and he helped on legal stuff with at least one sale, but was also a member of an abolitionist society. Samual Adams was an abolitionist. John Adams didn’t own slaves.
Adam Sandlerton
https://soundcloud.com/pregnantville-comedy/hamilton-if-it-was-sung-entirely-by-adam-sandler
Samuel Adams is the first one that comes to mind.
There were also no doubt countless people who were engaging in honest to goodness activism on social issues including slavery at the time, but I don’t think any of them would be considered founding fathers. And I don’t count people who were slave owners but then freed their slaves.
For sure you shouldn’t have to learn that people should not be bought and sold. Lots of people, even then, knew it without having to be taught. But, Franklin did learn. He had two slaves who he freed, became the President of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, and required that his daughter and s-in-l free their slave before getting any inheritance.
Considerably better than people who just freed slaves in their will (like Washington) and obviously miles better than Jefferson.
Would Tom Paine count?
Thomas Paine, John Adams, and probably most if not all of the other founders from Northern states.
What about HERCULES MULLIGAN who owned a slave but later founded a manumission society? wiki doesn’t say if he actually freed his slave or not, I guess I’m assuming he did.
I am pretty sure that all the FFs sucked but if we can get more politicians with names line Hercules Mulligan I’m all for it.
Tom Paine rocked. Very consistent voice for freedom.
His pamphlet Common Sense was the tipping point that turned a tax revolt into a revolutionary war for independence.
He remained a voice for real democracy after the war, too.
Thomas Paine was for universal suffrage during an era where the FFs didn’t even want to give all white men the right to vote, let alone women and minorities.
He was definitely among the most admirable founding fathers and is sadly one of the least appreciated.