Dr. Benjamin Franklin: We've no choice, John. The slavery clause has got to go.
John Adams: [stunned] Franklin, what are you saying?
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: It's a luxury we can't afford.
John Adams: [pause, then] 'Luxury?' A half million souls in chains... and Dr. Franklin calls it a 'luxury!' Maybe you should have walked out with the South!
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [dangerous] You forget yourself sir. I founded the FIRST anti-slavery society on this continent. John Adams: Oh, don't wave your credentials at me! Maybe it's time you had them renewed!
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [angrily] The issue here is independence! Maybe you have forgotten that fact, but I have not! How DARE you jeopardize our cause, when we've come so far? These men, no matter how much we may disagree with them, are not ribbon clerks to be ordered about - they are proud, accomplished men, the cream of their colonies. And whether you like them or not, they and the people they represent will be part of this new nation that YOU hope to create. Now, either learn how to live with them, or pack up and go home!
[pause, then]
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: In any case, stop acting like a Boston fishwife.
-PJ
Burr didn’t kill him soon enough...
Fascinating.
Certainly Hamilton was NOT willing to sacrifice either the revolution or the founding for abolition.
But he was a serious, and early, abolitionist.
Franklin was, as i understand it, and consistent with your post, a little slower in becoming a full-fledged abolitionist....which given the context, is understandable.
Adams, honestly, I don’t know enough to say one way or another on that issue. I do not think that Ron Chernow thinks Adams was as strong an abolitionist as Hamilton. (But Chernow didn’t write a book about Adams... :)).
One point is for sure, however.
Among the most important Founders, abolition was not a huge stretch. Even the Virginian, Washington, freed his slaves on his death. (Isn’t that correct?).
I suppose if you MUST take away a political lesson from Hamilton the broadway show, it is simply this: the Founding of America was, really and truly, for everyone. It wasn’t just for the rich, white guys. Yes, it took a while for the blessings of liberty to be secured for the posterity of the founders. But it happened, and at great cost. But I think we can say in good conscience, the Founding was for everyone.
The show makes me full of gratitude and awe, for these truly great (but human) men and women.