The Opinion of Chief Justice Taney

Newspaper Title

Albany Evening Journal

Publication Date

3-10-1857

Publication Place

Albany, New York

Event Topic

Dred Scott

Political Party

Republican

Region

free state

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Quote

a blot upon our National character abroad, and a long-remembered shame at home.

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

We print to-day a sophistical, dogmatic, muddy, and extreme Pro-Slavery document, which future historians will speak of as the present age speaks of the edicts of Jeffries and the Star Chamber. Unworthy of the Bench from which it was delivered, unworthy even of the previous reputation of the jurist who delivered it, unworthy of the American people, and of the nineteenth century, it will be a blot upon our National character abroad, and a long-remembered shame at home. It declares that the slaveholder may take his Slaves and hold them in any Territory under Federal control, and that neither Congress, nor the Territorial Government, nor the People, have the power now or hereafter to forbid him. It declares that the Constitution, though established "to secure Liberty," nowhere protects the existence of Freedom, and though it never mentions the word "Slave," everywhere legalizes Slavery! The monstrous absurdity of the argument, is only equalled by the astonishing revolution it seeks to effect in our jurisprudence. It falsifies the most reliable history, abrogates the most solemn Law, belies the dead and stultifies the living, -- in order to make what has heretofore been a local evil, hereafter a National institution!

Edited/Proofed by

Entered by Lloyd Benson.

Identifier

nyajds570310c

Rights

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The Opinion of Chief Justice Taney

a blot upon our National character abroad, and a long-remembered shame at home.