LAD #14

The case of Dred Scott v. Stanford is arguably one of the most influential supreme court cases in its era. Cheif Justice Taney addressed the issue of slave citizenship, and ultimately declared slaves as property. Since suing is a practice reserved for citizens, Taney ruled that Scott could not sue, because he was a slave, not a citizen. The most important deduction by Taney was his ruling that the government could only act within what the constitution allowed. Accordingly, the government could not hamper citizens in the pursuit of life liberty and property. Since Dred Scott was his masters property, the court could do nothing. Subsequently, the Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional.