It undoubtedly seemed strange to them, as it did later to President Buchanan, that any one should ever have held a different view.

If the Court with the force of its prestige should give legal sanction to the new doctrine, it would allay popular agitation, ensure the preservation of the Union, and secure to each section its legitimate rights.

Such apparently was the expectation of the majority of the Court in rendering the decision.
But the decision was not unanimous.

Each judge presented an individual opinion.

Five supported the Chief Justice on the main points as to the status of the African race and the validity of the Missouri Compromise.
Judge Nelson registered a protest against the entrance of the Court into the political arena.