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Cpl Software Engineer
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Edited 3 y ago
Although Taney, a Yankee, freed his inherited slaves, he believed that the US Government had no role in the abolition of slavery, preferring states rights. He wrote the Dred Scott decision and upheld the Missouri compromise. He was a member of the Federalist Party who believed in a strong central government while opposing Article IV Section IV republicanism. The only thing I could agree with him was helping Andrew Jackson "kill the bank."
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SGT Retired
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Why remove Taney? He wasn’t a confederate.
Slippery slope.
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SPC Kevin Ford
SPC Kevin Ford
3 y
Mostly because the primary thing he is known for is the Dred Scott decision. That's it. When placing people in a position of honor it is reasonable to ask ourselves exactly what is it we are honoring.

When we look at someone like Jefferson or Washington they are not primarily known or honored for being slave owners, but their work around the Constitution and the founding of this country. This isn't true of Taney, he's pretty much just known for that decision.
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SGT Retired
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3 y
That’s really not it. While he’s most famously associated with the Dred Scott case, Taney actually is known for quite a bit more, including some notably important decisions by the Court. Ableman v Booth (1859) and Luther v. Borden (1849) are of particular note.
Additionally, prior to joining the Supreme Court, Taney had stints as both the Attorney General of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury.

Don’t get me wrong..I’m sure he was a racist, I’m not defending him, and I probably wouldn’t want to play parcheesi with him.

So what is it we’re honoring? (I’ve never been a big fan of statues, particularly for this reason. Someone will never be happy).
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SGT Retired
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3 y
Would you recommend removing the statue of Andrew Jackson?
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