ges and immunities of
the citizen shall not be abridged must, as I conceive, be held to
secure that right before all others. It is obvious, when the
entire language of the section is examined, not only that this
declaration was designed to secure to the citizen this political
right, but that such was its principal, if not its sole object,
those provisions of the section which follow it being devoted to
securing the personal rights of "life, liberty, property, and the
equal protection of the laws." The clause on which we rely, to
wit: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States,"
might be stricken out of the section, and the residue would
secure to the citizen every right which is now secured, excepting
the political rights of voting and holding office. If the clause
in question does not secure those political rights, it is
entirely nugatory, and might as well have been omitted.

If we go to the lexicographers and to the writers upon law, to
learn what are the privileges and immunities of the "citizen" in
a republican government, we shall find that the leading feature
of citizenship is the enjoyment of the right of suffrage. The
definition of the term "citizen" by Bouvier is:

One who under the Constitution and laws of the United
States, has a right to vote for Representatives in Congress,
and other public officers, and who is qualified to fill
offices in the gift of the people.

By Worcester:

An inhabitant of a republic who enjoys the rights of a
freeman, and has a right to vote for public officers.

By Webster:

In the United States, a person, native or naturalized, who
has the privilege of exercising the elective franchise, or
the qualifications which enable him to vote for rulers, and
to purchase and hold real estate.

The meaning of the word "citizen" is directly and plainly
recognized by the latest Amendment of the Constitution, the XV.:

The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any
State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.

This clause assumes that the right of citi