But there are two clauses in the Constitution which point directly and specifically to the negro race as a separate class of persons, and show clearly that they were not regarded as a portion of the people or citizens of the Government then formed. 54
I agree with this since it demonstrates how they were not even treated with human respect, which is heartbreaking.
The question is simply this: Can a negro, whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves, become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the United States, and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guarantied by that instrument to the citizen? One of which rights is the privilege of suing in a court of the United States in the cases specified in the Constitution.
This just proves how citizenship and rights were historically denied based on race, reinforcing systems of slavery and exclusion. It highlights how the Court viewed citizenship as limited and tied to racial hierarchy at the time. which is very sad
In the first of these pleas, the plaintiff joined issue; and to the second and third, filed replications alleging that the defendant, of his own wrong and without the cause in his second and third pleas alleged, committed the trespasses, &c.
I'm a little confused about this portion are they stating that even without evidence, they opted to pursue the case? If that's the case, I view the entire situation to be extremely unfair and simply discriminatory.