Fred M. Vinson

“ White sellers, one of whom is a petitioner here, have been enjoined from selling the properties to any Negro or colored person. Under such circumstances, to suggest that the Negro petitioners have been accorded the same rights as white citizens to purchase, hold, and convey real property is to reject the plain meaning of language. We hold that the action of the District Court directed against the Negro purchasers and the white sellers denies rights intended by Congress to be protected by the Civil Rights Act and that, consequently, the action cannot stand. ”

“ The power of the federal courts to enforce the terms of private agreements is at all times exercised subject to the restrictions and limitations of the public policy of the United States as manifested in the Constitution, treaties, federal statutes, and applicable legal precedents. ”

“ And see License Tax Cases, 1867, 5 Wall. 462, 469, 18 L.Ed. 497.↑ Cf. Kennett v. Chambers, 1852, 14 How. 38, 14 L.Ed. 316; Tool Co. v. Norris, 1865, 2 Wall. 45, 17 L.Ed. 868; Sprott v. United States, 1874, 20 Wall. ”