The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 08 (of 12): Dresden Edition—InterviewsIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 08 (of 12): Dresden Edition—Interviews
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
Justice Harlan has shown that the Supreme Court failed to take into
consideration the intention of the framers of the amendment; failed
to see that the powers of Congress were given by express terms and
did not rest upon implication; failed to see that the Thirteenth
Amendment was broad enough to cover the Civil Rights Act; failed
to see that under the three amendments rights and privileges were
conferred by the Nation on citizens of the several States, and that
these rights are under the perpetual protection of the General
Government, and that for their enforcement Congress has the right
to legislate directly; failed to see that all implications are now
in favor of liberty instead of slavery; failed to comprehend that
we have a new nation with a new foundation, with different objects,
ends, and aims, for the attainment of which we use different means
and have been clothed with greater powers; failed to see that the
Republic changed front; failed to appreciate the real reasons for
the adoption of the amendments, and failed to understand that the
Civil Rights Act was passed in order that a citizen of the United
States might appeal from local prejudice to national justice.
Justice Harlan shows that it was the object to accomplish for the
black man what had been accomplished for the white man--that is,
to protect all their rights as free men and citizens; and that the
one underlying purpose of the amendments and of the congressional
legislation has been to clothe the black race with all the rights
of citizenship, and to compel a recognition of their rights by
citizens and States--that the object was to do away with class
tyranny, the meanest and basest form of oppression.
If Justice Harlan was wrong in his position, then, it may truthfully
be said of the three amendments that:
"The law hath bubbles as the water has,
And these are of them."
The decision of the Supreme Court denies the protection of the
Nation to the citizens of the Nation. That decision has already
borne fruit--the massacre at Danville. The protection of the Nation
having been withdrawn, the colored man was left to the mercy of
local prejudices and hatreds. He is without appeal, without redress.
The Supreme Court tells him that he must depend upon his enemies
for justice.
_Question_. You seem to agree with all that Justice Harlan has
said, and to have the greatest admiration for his opinion?
_Answer_. Yes, a man rises from reading this dissenting opinion
refreshed, invigorated, and strengthened. It is a mental and moral
tonic. It was produced after a clear head had held conference with
a good heart. It will furnish a perfectly clear plank, without
knot or wind-shake, for the next Republican platform. It is written
in good plain English, and ornamented with good sound sense. The
average man can and will understand its every word. There is no
subterfuge in it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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