Unfortunately you're right (because it was the religious unclearity that allowed slavery in the first place). The decleration of independance talked about all men (men being the generative noun meaning the entire human race - or even if only the males of the speciaes) and it never stated that those rights are just for one race. It said all men under one god (which would leave atheists, heretics, polytheist,...) out, but would include jews and muslims (they only have one god as well).
It's actually sad that such importaint things were left to religious beliefs to decide. Basic human rights (including the right to practice ones own religion - or no religion at all) should be better clerified. Still the decleration of independance was at least the first step in the right direction.
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