Many think the phrase is related to pressed (forced service) British soldiers who were used as slaves..
You dont have to “ think”
Just read history
It wasn’t about anti-abolitionism or it never would have gotten the nod from anyone who wasn’t pro-chattel slavery. And what do they do about hireling? The point is that the opponent had no real support. Maybe yhey could still change slave to knave to avert even that confusion.
To be consistent they should refuse tax dollars because some tax payers might be deemed racially insensitive