I chose : Judicial decisions have two uses-first, to absolutely determine the case decided, and secondly, to indicate to the public how other similar cases will be decided when they arise. For the latter use, they are called “precedents” and “authorities.”
My interpretation of this passage is simple, the decision made in the Dred Scott case, was not only unjust in itself, but a horrible example set for future major court cases. I don't blame President Lincoln at all, for creating a speech as he did, because there is truth to his words, and in particular the passage I chose above. I am a believer of "right now is the future". Every choice we make, leads to another circumstance in which we have to make another choice. The decision he made ultimately led to angering and mistrust and obvious showing of how immoral the judicial system was. "He denounces all who question the correctness of that decision, as offering violent resistance to it.". Another example of he makes a decision and cannot reveal his reasoning behind it. If this country is meant to be one giant ideal, made up of all it's citizens, then secrets, and being shady are the exact things citizens should avoid keeping, especially political leaders that at that point in time affected the African American portion of the men that inhabit our land.
How I think that relates to the class is that's one of those decisions in American Politics that made history and shaped our country today. Even if time passes and it's become more minimal, it's still there, it's not erased, and it can potentially corrupt and leave other leaders cynical because of decisions like the one that was made with the Dred Scott case. Luckily it gave birth to Abraham Lincoln who came online when seeing how that situation was handled, however, extremes like this I feel should be avoided, and learned from. Also comparing and seeing how much we've progressed since this case was established and learning from this case is another reason I feel this is relevant to the class.
