That reason is the necessity of guarding against the tyranny of the government.
Lysander Spooner: “That reason is the necessity of guarding against the tyranny of the government.”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner highlights the importance of juries in preventing government tyranny through their judgment.
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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.
They do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.
They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.
They do not tell us that they have established infallible supreme courts, to whom they refer all questions as to the legality of their acts, and that they do nothing that is not sanctioned by these courts.