The question before us is, whether the class of persons described in the plea in abatement compose a portion of this people, and
are constituent members of this sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they 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 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. Which statement best serves as a counterclaim to the claim in this passage?
Taney fails to provide any actual evidence for his statements that African Americans were universally considered inferior.
Taney cannot use states’ rights to claim that the plaintiff is not a citizen, because citizenship is federal.
Taney’s argument that emancipated people were still controlled by whites is false because they were free.
Taney’s argument that African Americans were not citizens is false because their ancestors were forced to come here.
Taney fails to provide any actual evidence for his statements that African Americans were universally considered inferior.
Explanation:
The Dred Scott case was famous for being the forerunner for the debate over the freedom of slaves, where the issue of slaves being free when they are in any free state was put into question. The case involves a slave man Dred Scott and his wife Harriet who had fought against their owners in view of the fact that they had been moving around states that allow slaves and that of free states. Claiming they ought to be free, their case came upon the desk of the Supreme court leading to the now infamous ruling by Judge Roger Taney.
In the given excerpt/ passage, Judge Taney argues that slaves are neither legal citizens of the country and therefore had no such right as to fight against their owners for their freedom, for by law, they are the property of their masters. He also claimed that they are inferior to their white masters, thus are prohibited from making any claims against their masters or their freedom. This claim by Judge Taney can be counterclaimed with the fact that he failed to provide or give any actual evidence that proves his claims. He has no proof to show the inferiority of African American slaves.
