The Dred Scott Decision: Law Or Politics?

35th Congress act of Congress adoption African descent American argument assertion authority Buchanan Catron Chief Justice Taney Circuit Court citizens citizenship clause colored persons Compromise of 1850 concurred Confederation Cong Congressional decided declared defendant Democrats denied dissent Douglas Dred Scott decision due process entitled exclude slavery exercise existence fact federal court federal government freedom George Ticknor Curtis Grier held Illinois issue judges judgment judicial Justice Curtis Kansas-Nebraska Act liberty limits Lincoln majority matter McLean and Curtis ment merits Missouri Compromise obiter dictum party plaintiff plea in abatement political power of Congress President principles privileges process of law prohibit slavery protection provision question recognized regulations Republican respect Roger Brooke Taney Sandford Senator slave property slaveholding southern sovereignty stitution Supreme Court Taney's opinion Territorial Legislature tion tribunal unconstitutional Union United Virginia vote want of jurisdiction Wilmot Proviso writ of error York