What difference might it have made in the racial currents of contemporary American life if slavery had been abolished in the early days of the nation?

This question also calls for your opinion. If we look at history, the emancipation of slaves and the eventual abolishment of slavery was a long journey. Freedom didn't afford equality in all things, racism seems to be a neverending problem, and the civil rights movement would be long in the making. Had Congress taken a stand this process might have been accelerated, it may also have destroyed the country as we know it.