Heretics in the Temple: Americans Who Reject the Nation's Legal Faith (Critical America, 29)

Americans seem increasingly disenchanted with their legal system. In the wake of several high-profile trials, America's faith in legal authority appears profoundly shaken. And yet, as David Ray Papke shows in this dramatic and erudite tour of American history, many Americans have challenged and often rejected the rule of law since the earliest days of the country's founding. Papke traces the lineage of such legal heretics from nineteenth-century activists William Lloyd Garrison and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, through Eugene Debs, and up to more recent radicals, such as the Black Panther Party, anti-abortionists, and militia members. A tradition of American legal heresy clearly emerges — linked together by a body of shared references, idols, and commitments — that problematizes the American belief in legal neutrality and highlights the historical conflicts between law and justice. Questioning the legal faith both peculiar and essential to American mythology, this alternative tradition is in itself an overlooked feature of American history and culture. Americans Seem Increasingly Disenchanted With Their Legal System. In The Wake Of Several High-profile Trials, America's Faith In Legal Authority Appears Profoundly Shaken. And Yet, As David Ray Papke Shows In This Dramatic And Erudite Tour Of American History, Many Americans Have Challenged And Often Rejected The Rule Of Law Since The Earliest Days Of The Country's Founding. Papke Traces The Lineage Of Such Legal Heretics From Nineteenth-century Activists William Lloyd Garrison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, And Eugene Debs Up To More Recent Radicals Such As The Black Panther Party And To The Contemporary Rejection Of Legal Authority By Various Militia And Anti-abortion Movements. 1. A Legal Faith For The New Republic -- 2. William Lloyd Garrison: From Abolition To Anarchism -- 3. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women's Natural Rights And The Revolt Against Gendered Legalism -- 4. Eugene Debs: Law-related Socialist Conversion, Catechism, And Evangelism -- 5. The Black Panther Party: A Study In Legal Cynicism -- 6. Legal Heresy Today: Militia, Anti-abortion Activists, And Beyond. David Ray Papke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 189-194) And Index. Contents 10 Acknowledgments 12 A Legal Faith for the New Republic 14 William Lloyd Garrison 45 Elizabeth Cady Stanton 72 Eugene Debs 97 The Black Panther Party 127 Legal Heresy Today 155 Notes 176 Bibliographical Essay 210 Index 216 About the Author 222