Lysander Spooner: “I cannot delegate to another man any right to make laws--that is, laws…”

On the record

I cannot delegate to another man any right to make laws--that is, laws of his own invention--and compel me to obey them.

Said by

Lysander Spooner

Source

Spooner expresses his belief that no one can delegate the authority to create laws to another person.

More from Lysander Spooner

Any restriction upon the exercise of this right is a restriction upon his rightful power of providing for, and accomplishing, his own well-being.

It is also sheer impudence, on their part, to assume that their commands are at all necessary to teach other men what is, and what is not, justice.

In this manner all unjust laws are established, and made operative against the rights of the people.

Since Magna Carta, we have evidence showing quite conclusively that all freemen, above the age of twenty-one years, were eligible as jurors.

Lysander Spooner: “I cannot delegate to another man any right to make laws--that is, laws of his own invention--and compel me to obey them.”