Political Quotes

Lysander Spooner: According to the simple idea of our forefathers, guilt or innocence was regarded as a mere matter of fact; and it was…

On the record
According to the simple idea of our forefathers, guilt or innocence was regarded as a mere matter of fact; and it was thought that no man, who knew the real circumstances of a case, could be at a loss to determine whether the culprit ought to be condemned or acquitted." 1 Millar's Hist.
Said by
Lysander Spooner

Editor's note · Context

Spooner discusses the straightforward nature of determining guilt or innocence according to historical perspectives.

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