“Out out,damn spot!”: Trying (but failing) to erase history.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | September 13, 2015

No. 1,216

One of the most distinguished alumni of Yale University was John C. Calhoun.  The South Carolinian, who was, inter alia, Vice President during the Jackson Administration, is the namesake of one of the several colleges that comprise the University.  But Yalies, or at least some of them, want to change the name, since they feel that it is wrong to honor a champion of slavery.

Strictly speaking, Calhoun was the great advocate of state’s rights, not slavery per se.  But the result was the same.  And today, in the era when Confederate flags are being removed from the front lawns of state houses throughout the South, it only seems right to these moralists to strip away any honor bestowed on the advocates of slavery.

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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