“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” ? George Washington

Liberalism didn't mean then what it means today, it took on its current meaning in the early 20th century. Liberalism used to just mean basically a free society where people could vote.