Part 6 and final portion of James Wilson (1742-1798), one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and one of the original justices appointed by George Washington to the United States Supreme Court, delivered some Lectures on Law in 1790-91 in which he argued that the function of government was to protect and enlarge an individual’s existing natural rights, not to subvert or restrain them: The defence of one’s self, justly called the primary law of nature, is not, nor can it be abrogated by any regulation of municipal law. This principle of defence is not confined merely to the person; it extends to the liberty and the property of a man: it is not confined merely to his own person; it extends to the persons of all those, to whom he bears a peculiar relation—of his wife, of his parent, of his child, of his master, of his servant: nay, it extends to the person of every one, who is in danger; perhaps, to the liberty of every one, whose liberty is unjustly and forcibly attacked. It becomes humanity as well as justice. With this post, The Patriots Diner is closed for this night. A Salute, Hat Tip and Thank You, is extended to each person who shares from this wall, one time per night, when realized. A Thank You, is extended, now, each night, to each person who likes. May each of you rest well, when rest finds you or you find it.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:02:32 +0000
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