Question

Legislation is powerless to [eliminate] racial instincts or to abolish distinctions based upon physical differences.... If the civil and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the other civilly or politically. If one race be inferior to the other socially, the Constitution of the United States cannot put them upon the same plane. What is the main purpose of this passage?

Answer 1

Answer: The law cannot cause or correct social differences.

Explanation: Examining the passage above from a broader view connotes that racial instinct, thought or perception are borne from social differences between groups or communities such as race, gender, influence or wealth which helps nurture the thought that a social group or class is distinctly and significantly superior or better than others. The law can strike a balance in the civil and political rights pertaining to social groups. However, social differences such as race, gender and so on is not within the control of the law.