“Ye men of sense and virtue – Ye advocates for American Liberty, rouse up and espouse the cause of humanity and general liberty. Bear a testimony against a vice which degrades human nature, and dissolves that universal tie of benevolence which should connect all children of men together in one great family – The plant of liberty is of so tender a nature, that it cannot thrive long in the neighborhood of slavery.” – Benjamin Rush, On Slavekeeping (1773)