Events

The Majority opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States of America in regards to the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford:

We think ... that they blacks are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word "citizens" in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States. On the contrary, they were at that time of America's founding considered as a subordinate and inferior class of beings who had been subjugated by the dominant race, and, whether emancipated or not, yet remained subject to their authority, and had no rights or privileges but such as those who held the power and the Government might choose to grant them.

It is difficult at this day to realize the state of public opinion in relation to that unfortunate race, which prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of the world at the time of the Declaration of Independence, and when the Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted. ... They had for more than a century before been regarded as beings of an inferior order ... and so far inferior, that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit.

This ruling, the most controversial and decisive opinion yet given by the Court, has caused widespread condemnation of the judiciary and of Chief Justice Tawney for naked partisanship. President Fillmore himself has condemned it, while many Democrats cheer for a final end to the Slavery Question.