On August 24, 1946, U.S. Supreme Court Justice James Clark McReynolds died. As a Justice, McReynolds wrote the decision in Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390. In Meyer, a state law prohibited the teaching of foreign languages in the public school system. McReynolds wrote that the liberty guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment included the right to teach foreign languages in public schools.
Some interesting quotes from the opinion include the following:
“…education of the young is only possible in schools conducted by especially qualified persons who devote themselves thereto. The calling always has been regarded as useful and honorable, essential, indeed, to the public welfare. Mere knowledge of the German language cannot reasonably be regarded as harmful. Heretofore it has been commonly looked upon as helpful and desirable. Plaintiff in error taught this language in school as part of his occupation. His right thus to teach and the right of parents to engage him so to instruct their children, we think, are within the liberty of the amendment.”
“The protection of the Constitution extends to all, to those who speak other languages as well as to those born with English on the tongue. Perhaps it would be highly advantageous if all had ready understanding of our ordinary speech, but this cannot be coerced by methods which conflict with the Constitution–a desirable end cannot be promoted by prohibited means.”
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meyer_v._Nebraska
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_McReynolds#Important_opinions
CLDiversity 