Quotes · Quote card
Quotation from Reynolds v. United States by Supreme Court of the United States
“Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free to reach actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive of good order.”
Reynolds v. United States, Opinion of the Court (Waite, C.J.) (U.S. Reports text (Legal Information Institute))
The Chief Justice draws his conclusion from Jefferson's letter and the Virginia history.
Citation: "Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free to reach actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive of good order." — Supreme Court of the United States, Reynolds v. United States, Opinion of the Court (Waite, C.J.) (U.S. Reports text (Legal Information Institute)). (id reynolds-v-united-states-q2)
Portrait: Chief Justice Morrison Waite, Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain.
