Introduction by Frederick Douglass("Abou Ben Adhem")--Decision of
the United States Supreme Court pronouncing the Civil Rights Act
Unconstitutional--Limitations of Judges--Illusion Destroyed by the
Decision in the Dred Scott Case--Mistake of Our Fathers in adopting
the Common Law of England--The 13th Amendment to the Constitution
Quoted--The Clause of the Constitution upholding Slavery--Effect of
this Clause--Definitions of a State by Justice Wilson and Chief Justice
Chase--Effect of the Thirteenth Amendment--Justice Field on Involuntary
Servitude--Civil Rights Act Quoted--Definition of the Word Servitude by
the Supreme Court--Obvious Purpose of the Amendment--Justice Miller
on the 14th Amendment--Citizens Created by this Amendment--Opinion
of Justice Field--Rights and Immunities guaranteed by the
Constitution--Opinion delivered by Chief-Justice Waite--Further Opinions
of Courts on the question of Citizenship--Effect of the 13th, 14th and
15th Amendments--"Corrective" Legislation by Congress--Denial of equal
"Social" Privileges--Is a State responsible for the Action of its Agent
when acting contrary to Law?--The Word "State" must include the People
of the State as well as the Officers of the State--The Louisiana Civil
Rights Law, and a Case tried under it--Uniformity of Duties essential to
the Carrier--Congress left Powerless to protect Rights conferred by the
Constitution--Definition of "Appropriate Legislation"--Propositions laid
down regarding the Sovereignty of the State, the powers of the General
Government, etc.--A Tribute to Justice Harlan--A Denial that Property
exists by Virtue of Law--Civil Rights not a Question of Social
Equality--Considerations upon which Social Equality depends--Liberty not
a Question of Social Equality--The Superior Man--Inconsistencies of the
Past--No Reason why we should Hate the Colored People--The Issues that
are upon Us.