Lysander Spooner

But taking all this material property at only half its actual value, it is still capable of supplying the twenty-five thousand millions of dollars--or one thousand dollars each--which these laborers need.

And this value is a just one, because the notes are in the nature of a lien, or mortgage, upon so much property of the bankers as is necessary to pay the notes, and as can be taken by law, and sold, and the proceeds applied to their…

It is the best, because it is visible, immovable, and indestructible.

And this is a plain violation of men's natural rights.

Much the larger portion of these have been reduced to the condition of wage laborers, by the monopoly of land, which mere bands of robbers have succeeded in securing for themselves by military power.

Hundreds of millions of them are receiving, for their labor, not more than three, five, or, at most, ten cents a day.

With freedom in money, the scientific discoveries and mechanical inventions, made in each country, will not only be used to the utmost in that country, but will be carried into all other countries.

In this country, and in Western Europe, where the uses of money are known, there is no excuse to be offered for the monopoly of money.

And, furthermore, all labor and property would have ten, twenty, or fifty times better chances of bringing their full value in the market, than they have now.

But these, of course, have never conveyed any real rights of property.

If this principle were acknowledged, we should have no occasion, and no use, for insolvent or bankrupt laws.

If the authority be vested in the government, the governmnt is absolute, and the people have no liberties except such as the government sees fit to indulge them with.