Quotes by John Marshall Harlan

About John Marshall Harlan:

John Marshall Harlan is best known for his role as the lone dissenter in the Civil Rights Cases (1883), and Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which, respectively, struck down as unconstitutional federal anti-discrimination legislation and upheld southern segregation statutes. These dissents, among others, led to his nickname of "The Great Dissenter". Prior to this appointment, he had served as Attorney General of Kentucky (1863–1867).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The Constitution is not a panacea for every blot upon the public welfare. Nor should this Court, ordained as a judicial body, be thought of as a general haven for reform movements.

John Marshall Harlan

The law regards man as man, and takes no account of his surroundings or of his color when his civil rights as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land are involved.

John Marshall Harlan

The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.

John Marshall Harlan

Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.

John Marshall Harlan

But in view of the constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here.

John Marshall Harlan

[O]ne man's vulgarity is another's lyric.

John Marshall Harlan

Author Bio

  • NameJohn Marshall Harlan
  • DescriptionUnion United States Army officer
  • BornJune 1, 1833
  • DiedOctober 14, 1911
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionLawyer; Judge