You’re correct.
Worse, Horace Gray essentially reversed himself from his previous citizenship decisions.
It indeed was a “feel good” decision. Probably influenced by the emerging politics of the time.
There are specific points that can be used to reverse Ark, and we don’t have to delve into poorly worded statements by Jacob Howard.
So it’s going to be up to Pope Roberts to thread the needle. But my guess is that he punts to Congress.
You're probably right. It is never easy to do the right thing when you know that by do so that you will incur the hatred of many.
And you know that all on the Left will put on the blinders so as not to see the correctness of the decision.
The Left hates the Constitution and appealing to the hobbles with in it does not cut any ice with them.