What makes you think they weren't?
Why did we have to pass a law (the 14th amendment) if that was already the law?
Because of the Scott v. Sandford ruling.
What makes you think they weren't?
I should bother to answer such a stupid question? Because holding citizens would be illegal.
Why did we have to pass a law (the 14th amendment) if that was already the law?
Because of the Scott v. Sandford ruling.
To argue that the 14th was necessary to repeal Scott v. Sandford is to argue that the decision was legitimate in the first place.
An Amendment is only needed to change things when the law needs to be changed.