Royer v. United States

I shall not discuss the principle upon which I predicate my dissent from the conclusion of my associates at a length commensurate with its importance for, while I deem lengthy discussion unnecssary, the importance of the principle is hardly to be overstated. It is not limited to the result of this case, for it must control a class of cases, and, as it is sustained or otherwise is there preserved or destroyed an established, recognized, and necessary governmental system as old almost as the Government itself.

The plaintiff, it is rightly said, was not a major during the period from October 18,…