How is this abstinence from legislation, on the part of the ancient kings, to be accounted for, except on the supposition that the people would accept, and juries enforce, few or no new laws enacted by their kings?
Spooner reflects on the reluctance of ancient kings to legislate, suggesting a preference for minimal laws accepted by the people.
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From the sale of that justice which every citizen has a right to demand, it was an easy transition to withhold or deny it.
But there is no reason why a judge should have the power of punishing, for contempt, any more than for any other offence.
The people considered their jurisprudence as a part of their inheritance.
And whenever any number of men, calling themselves a government, do anything to another man, or to his property, which they had no right to do as individuals they thereby declare themselves trespassers, robbers, or murderers, according to…