In this way, a court of justice, into which none but a conscientious plaintiff certainly should ever be allowed to enter, becomes an arena into which any rich and revengeful oppressor may drag any man poorer than himself, and harass, terrify, and impoverish him, to almost any extent.
Lysander Spooner: “In this way, a court of justice, into which none but a conscientious plaintiff certainly should ever be allowed to…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner warns about the dangers of allowing the wealthy to manipulate the justice system against the poor.
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They do not tell us that they have established infallible supreme courts, to whom they refer all questions as to the legality of their acts, and that they do nothing that is not sanctioned by these courts.
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
For all these reasons, they are not only modest and sensible, but really frank, honest, and honorable villains, contrasted with these courts of injustice, and the lawmakers by whom these courts are established.
They neither ask, nor expect, any mercy, if they should ever fall into the hands of honest men.