to disregard the narrow issues of special pleaders. I almost now foresee that in the near future grave political questions and weighty considerations of state may arise, rendering it as expedient in the civil-rights cases, as it was in the legal-tender decisions, to reverse our former rulings. Such action is often the result of political expediency, for public opinion may change as rapidly in the one as in the other case. This reversal of our former judgments may be upon those very issues which, as I have told you, our brethren at the bar framed with much adroitness to avoid the consideration of the constitutional construction of these amendments.
"Our discussion, though informal, has taken a much wider range," concluded the Chief Justice, "than I at first thought the subject might justify. The diversity and multiplicity of my labors render it impossible for me, without deliberate reflection, to state with accuracy the exact legal status of the civil rights of American citizens of African descent, but I have placed you in the way of preparation for the fullest attainment of this knowledge; and I look forward with pleasure to our future meeting, when you will have reached your conclusions and prepared your arguments in support of them."
After a momentary pause the Chief Justice—who
"Walked thoughtful on the solemn, silent shore
Of that vast ocean he must sail so soon,"
as if, indeed, approaching death had cast its shadow before the soul shortly to be released from the ligaments of the body continued in a graver strain,—
"I often reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little contests, disputes, debates, and competitions of mankind, when I consider the coming of that great day when all races must make their appearance together. It is the part of wisdom to provide beforehand for the emergencies of those we leave behind. We should strive to do our duty to those who come after us, before the veil of death is drawn over our senses. This thought habitually kept before us is well calculated to promote a state of preparedness for our setting out on the great voyage. The time of our departure from this world and entrance into
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