Yet such is the inconsistency of human nature, that some men--in fact, many men--who will risk their lives for this principle, when their own liberty or property is at stake, will violate it in the most flagrant manner, if they can thereby obtain arbitrary power over the persons or property of others.
Spooner critiques the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold liberty while seeking power over others.
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Proud from victory, and with their swords in their hands, would they surrender their liberties to a private man?
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.
Any restriction upon the exercise of this right is a restriction upon his rightful power of providing for, and accomplishing, his own well-being.
The presumption clearly is that all were eligible.