One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

James K. Polk

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk

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Topic

Minority rights Constitutional theory Legal theory US Constitution

Speaker

James K. Polk

Source

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1845 1840s 19th century

Occupation

American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Polk, James K. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1845, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by James K. Polk about minority rights: “One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities…”
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A quote by James K. Polk about minority rights: “One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities…”
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A quote by James K. Polk about minority rights: “One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities…”
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Related Quotes

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Another quote from the 1840s

In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Essays: First Series (Emerson)

More information about this quote
Topic
Going for it Taking risks

Author

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Source
Prudence Essays: First Series (Emerson)
Medium
Essay
Statement Type
Paradox Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1841 1840s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Prudence." Essays: First Series. Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1841.

Current Citation

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Prudence." The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Brooks Atkinson. Modern Library, 2000.

Another quote about Legal theory

It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is... If two laws conflict with each other, the Courts must decide on the operation of each... This is of the very essence of judicial duty.

John Marshall

Marbury v. Madison

Read this opinion at supreme.justia.com.
More information about this quote
Topic
Judicial supremacy Separation of powers Constitutional theory Legal theory

Author

John Marshall
Source
Marbury v. Madison
Medium
Supreme Court opinion Legal opinion
Genre
Legal writing
Language
English
Time
1803 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Marshall, John. United States, Supreme Court. Marbury v. Madison. United States Reports, vol. 5, 24 Feb. 1803, pp. 137-180. Justia, supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/5/137/.

Another quote from the following genre Political speech

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website
More information about this quote
Topic
American Civil War God's will Slavery American politics God and America
Speaker
Abraham Lincoln
Source
Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1865 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.