Re: The power of an Idea - The Long View.
Jefferson made a statement to the effect that he thought that there would be no way that the slaves could live in the United States as free men and that the end of slavery would mean that they would have to be returned to Africa. His reasoning was that the former slaves would be very bitter, violent and hateful due to their mistreatment under slavery. Jefferson did recognize that slaves were mistreated greatly. Jefferson seemed to be tormented by the dichotomy of what the Constitution stated and the reality of slavery. He seemed to lack the courage to change his ways regarding slavery. I'll try to dig up a source if it's required.
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