Our Saxon ancestors had been governed by limited monarchs in their native seats on the continent; and there is not the least appearance or probability that they relinquished their liberties, and submitted to absolute government in their new settlements in this island.
Lysander Spooner: “Our Saxon ancestors had been governed by limited monarchs in their native seats on the continent; and there is not the…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner argues that the Saxon ancestors maintained their liberties and did not accept absolute rule.
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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.
When they have once taken our money, they have the decency to get out of our sight as soon as possible; they do not persist in following us, and robbing us, again and again, so long as we produce anything that they can take from us.
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.