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Best john marshall biography6/26/2023 ![]() ![]() As every law student learns in their constitutional law classes, Justice Harlan’s lengthy, at times emotional, dissent in Plessy was a one-off a sole voice crying out in the 19th century wilderness that unhesitatingly condemned a Louisiana law that mandated separate (but “equal”) railroad passenger cars for Black and white travelers as an affront to every citizen’s constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment.Īs Mr. Canellos has written the definitive biography of this bold, truly courageous man and his unique place in American history. In a new, aptly-titled book, “The Great Dissenter – The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America’s Judicial Hero” (Simon & Schuster, 609 pages, $32.50), author Peter S. Ferguson, by one Supreme Court justice – John Marshall Harlan – and not a single other justice at that time agreed with him. But those inspiring words were written in an 1896 case, Plessy v. Supreme Court decision, no one would think it noteworthy. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law.” “Our Constitution is color-blind and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. ![]()
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