Even if the Constitution of the United States had intended to recognize slavery, as a constitutional state institution, such intended recognition would have failed of effect, and been legally void, because slavery then had no constitutional existence to be recognized. — Lysander Spooner Copy Share Image
It is perfectly clear, in the first place, that the constitution of the United States did not, of itself, create or establish slavery as a new institution; or even give any authority to the state governments to establish it as… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share Image
Slavery, if it can be legalized at all, can be legalized only by positive legislation. Natural law gives it no aid. Custom imparts to… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
The greatest of all crimes are the wars that are carried on by governments, to plunder, enslave, and destroy mankind. — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
Those who deny the right of a jury to protect an individual in resisting an unjust law of the government, deny him all defence… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
I was put into jail as I was going to the shoemaker's to get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
The single despot stands out in the face of all men, and says: I am the State: My will is law: I am your… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
The Rothschilds, and that class of money-lenders of whom they are the representatives and agents - men who never think of lending a shilling… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
Who are ever taxed? Individuals only. Who have property that can be taxed? Individuals only. Who can give their consent to be taxed? Individuals… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
Practically and commercially speaking, a dollar is not necessarily a specific thing, made of silver, or gold, or any other single metal, or substance.… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
If it be said that the consent of the strongest party in a nation, is all that is necessary to justify the establishment of… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
In reality there is no such thing as an inflation of prices, relatively to gold. There is such a thing as a depreciated paper… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
And there is no difference, in principle - but only in degree - between political and chattel slavery. The former, no less than the… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
The Constitution has no inherent authority or obligation. It has no authority or obligation at all, unless as a contract between man and man.… — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
These so-called governments are in reality only great bands of robbers and murderers, organized, disciplined, and constantly on the alert. — Lysander Spooner Copy Share
