Trump v. Barbara · ¶204

Chief among the critics of Dred Scott was Abraham Lincoln. Soon after the Court released the decision, Lincoln declared that “[t]he Dred Scott decision is erroneous” and did “obvious violence to the plain unmistakable language of the Declaration [of Independence].” His Speeches and Writings 355, 360 (R. Basler ed. 1946). The case exacerbated national division over the issue of slavery and contributed to Lincoln’s election as President. See, e.g., 2 C. Warren, The Supreme Court in United States History 279–357 (1928). Lincoln vowed not to “acquiesce in it as a precedent,” but instead to “do what we can” to have it “overruled.” Lincoln, His Speeches and Writings, at 355.

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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