The Mission Of Law Is Not To

It Must Be Admitted That The Tendency Of The Human Race Toward Liberty Is Largely Thwarted, Especially In France. This Is Greatly Due To A Fatal Desire-learned From The Teachings Of Antiquity-that Our Writers On Public Affairs Have In Common: They Desire To Set Themselves Above Mankind In Order To Arrange, Organize, And Regulate It According To Their Fancy.

Thus, If There Exists A Law Which Sanctions Slavery Or Monopoly, Oppression Or Robbery, In Any Form Whatever, It Must Not Even Be Mentioned. For How Can It Be Mentioned Without Damaging The Respect Which It Inspires? Still Further, Morality And Political Economy Must Be Taught From The Point Of View Of This Law; From The Supposition That It Must Be A Just Law Merely Because It Is A Law. Another Effect Of This Tragic Perversion Of The Law Is That It Gives An Exaggerated Importance To Political Passions And Conflicts, And To Politics In General.

When Misguided Public Opinion Honors What Is Despicable And Despises What Is Honorable, Punishes Virtue And Rewards Vice, Encourages What Is Harmful And Discourages What Is Useful, Applauds Falsehood And Smothers Truth Under Indifference Or Insult, A Nation Turns Its Back On Progress And Can Be Restored Only By The Terrible Lessons Of Catastrophe.

Law Is Justice. And It Is Under The Law Of Justice - Under The Reign Of Right; Under The Influence Of Liberty, Safety, Stability, And Responsibility - That Every Person Will Attain His Real Worth And The True Dignity Of His Being. It Is Only Under This Law Of Justice That Mankind Will Achieve - Slowly, No Doubt, But Certainly - God's Design For The Orderly And Peaceful Progress Of Humanity.

Each Of Us Has A Natural Right, From God, To Defend His Person, His Liberty, And His Property.