> The US was founded with an extreme class system -- slavery, and aristocratic-only male-only voting.
The US is the story of a country that is constantly struggling to live up to its founding ideology. Slavery was widespread globally at that time, and ended up fighting its most deadly war to end it. Over time its flaws were sought out and eradicated to give way to the most prosperous and free country in human history, all within a couple hundred years.
The founders were not perfect (no one is), but did realize the evils of slavery and some did end up releasing their slaves.
The US was founded with an extreme class system -- slavery, and aristocratic-only male-only voting. The founders judgement is not sacrosanct.