On the record
On this trial his plea is, that in killing the sheriff, he was simply exercising his natural right of defending his property against an unjust law.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “On this trial his plea is, that in killing the sheriff, he was simply exercising his natural right of defending his…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner argues that a defendant can claim natural rights when resisting an unjust law, even leading to violent outcomes.
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More from Lysander Spooner
They acknowledge it to be our unquestioned right and duty to kill them, if we can; that they expect nothing else, than that we will kill them, if we can; and that we are only fools and cowards, if we do not kill them, by any and every…
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 all liberty and order would be destroyed, that society itself would go to pieces, and man go back to barbarism, if it were not for the care, and supervision, and protection, they lavish upon us.
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.