Steve Baughman -- If you've just found out that Newton was a slave trader, you're the one who has been naive--the song's history, and the man's history have not been kept secret--I can only conclude that, for some reason or another, you've chosen to avoid the details of the history of Slavery, and, possibly even the racism that necessarily went along with it.

As an educated, American adult, and a legal professional, you should have started to deal with this a long time ago. A little bit of revulsion is good for you.