Rename Taneytown and remove Roger Taney’s name
Rename Taneytown and remove Roger Taney’s name
The Issue
I am looking to insight any kind of change to the name of Taneytown and hopefully shed light on the grim past of Roger Taney and how this sweet Maryland town got its name.
Taneytown is a quiet northern MD town, founded in 1754. Taneytown is in need of a name change, for its name is rooted in injustice, prejudice and racism.
Not many people know but Taneytown is named after Supreme Court Justice, Roger Taney. Taney held a seat in the Supreme Court for 28 years from 1836-1864. Despite having famously sworn on President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, there was something Taney was known for even more.
A few years prior in 1857, was the infamous Dred Scott decision. The Dred Scott decision was the final ruling in a messy, 10+ year long trial from 1846-1857. Scott and his wife had filed separately in 1846 on 2 Missouri statues. The first, that any person of any color could sue for wrongful enslavement. The second statute, that if any slaves were brought to free territory they were free and could return to slave territories as free.
The Scott’s went to trial numerous times, and in 1850, had inaply had the court rule in favor and they had won their freedom. Shortly after in 1852, the Supreme Court of Missouri combined Scott and his wife’s cases and unfortunately reversed their ruling. This battle went on then for 7 more years.
In 1857, the final ruling came down to Supreme Court and Roger Taney was responsible for writing the final majority opinion in the Dred Scott v. Sanford. Here is a quote of what it said.
”..all people of African descent, free or slave, were not United States citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. In addition, he wrote that the Fifth Amendment protected slave owner rights because slaves were their legal property.”
As a lifelong resident of Taneytown , it saddens me to learn of our history. It is disappointing to learn the one out town is named after was not noble or brave, but afraid. The past few years Taneytown has become a very justice forward town. This town continually stays active in politics and It is finding its voice to speak out against injustices. This is an injustice to have this town named after Roger Taney. Please get people talking about this, and let them know we do not want to live in a town named after a historic racist.
83
The Issue
I am looking to insight any kind of change to the name of Taneytown and hopefully shed light on the grim past of Roger Taney and how this sweet Maryland town got its name.
Taneytown is a quiet northern MD town, founded in 1754. Taneytown is in need of a name change, for its name is rooted in injustice, prejudice and racism.
Not many people know but Taneytown is named after Supreme Court Justice, Roger Taney. Taney held a seat in the Supreme Court for 28 years from 1836-1864. Despite having famously sworn on President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, there was something Taney was known for even more.
A few years prior in 1857, was the infamous Dred Scott decision. The Dred Scott decision was the final ruling in a messy, 10+ year long trial from 1846-1857. Scott and his wife had filed separately in 1846 on 2 Missouri statues. The first, that any person of any color could sue for wrongful enslavement. The second statute, that if any slaves were brought to free territory they were free and could return to slave territories as free.
The Scott’s went to trial numerous times, and in 1850, had inaply had the court rule in favor and they had won their freedom. Shortly after in 1852, the Supreme Court of Missouri combined Scott and his wife’s cases and unfortunately reversed their ruling. This battle went on then for 7 more years.
In 1857, the final ruling came down to Supreme Court and Roger Taney was responsible for writing the final majority opinion in the Dred Scott v. Sanford. Here is a quote of what it said.
”..all people of African descent, free or slave, were not United States citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. In addition, he wrote that the Fifth Amendment protected slave owner rights because slaves were their legal property.”
As a lifelong resident of Taneytown , it saddens me to learn of our history. It is disappointing to learn the one out town is named after was not noble or brave, but afraid. The past few years Taneytown has become a very justice forward town. This town continually stays active in politics and It is finding its voice to speak out against injustices. This is an injustice to have this town named after Roger Taney. Please get people talking about this, and let them know we do not want to live in a town named after a historic racist.
83
The Decision Makers
Petition created on June 11, 2020