An inspection of the Constitution will show that the right of property in a slave is not 'distinctly and expressly affirmed' in it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The Constitution does not clearly establish slavery as a protected right.
- In plain terms
- The Constitution does not clearly say slavery is allowed.
- What can you take from it?
- Check the actual text before assuming something is guaranteed.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you interpret legal texts?
- What rights are not written down?
Another view
The Constitution does implicitly protect property rights that included slaves.
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