William O. Douglas

“ The privilege to remain silent was regarded by our ancestors as the inalienable right of a free man. To compel a man to accuse himself was regarded as a cruelty beneath the tolerance of civilized people, and it simply is not true as a matter of law that only the guilty are privileged to plead the Fifth Amendment. ”

“ Moreover, apart from the Fifth Amendment, I do not think that a State may require self-immolation as a condition of retaining the license of an attorney. When a State uses petitioner's silence to brand him as one who has not fulfilled his 'inherent duty and obligation * * * as a member of the legal profession,' it adopts a procedure that does not meet the requirements of due process. Taking away a man's right to practice law is imposing a penalty as severe as a criminal sanction, perhaps more so. ”

“ A House resolution asked Grant to list all his executive acts, since his election, which had been 'performed at a distance from the seat of government established by law,' together with an explanation of the necessity 'for such performance.' Grant declined, stating that if the information was wanted for purposes of impeachment '* * * it is asked in derogation of an inherent natural right, recognized in this country by a constitutional guarantee which protects every citizen, the President as well as the humblest in the land, from being made a witness against himself.' 4 Cong.Rec., Pt. ”