"Dissents are appeals to the brooding spirit of the law, to the intelligence of another day"
- Charles Evans Hughes
About this Quote
This quote by Charles Evans Hughes speaks with the importance of dissenting viewpoints in the legal system. Dissenting opinions are those that disagree with the bulk opinion of a court. They are an appeal to the spirit of the law, which is ever-evolving and altering with the times. Dissenting viewpoints are a method to guarantee that the law is not stuck in the past, but is rather open up to new interpretations and concepts. They are an interest the intelligence of another day, a tip that the law is not static however is rather continuously adjusting to the changing requirements of society. Dissenting opinions are a vital part of the legal system, as they provide a way to guarantee that the law is not stuck in the past, but is instead available to brand-new interpretations and ideas.
"I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office"