If, now, this government, (the three branches thus really united in one), can determine the validity of, and enforce, its own laws, it is, for the time being, entirely absolute, and wholly irresponsible to the people.
Spooner argues that a government that can enforce its own laws without public consent is effectively absolute.
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On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
They neither ask, nor expect, any mercy, if they should ever fall into the hands of honest men.
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.
In short, they acknowledge themselves hostes humani generis: enemies of the human race.