Again, one of the great complaints against the
laws and the government, is that they are so expensive, that rates
and taxes are heavy burdens--and doubtless they are: but what makes
them necessary except men's sin? If the poor were more justly and
mercifully treated, and if they in their turn were more thrifty and
provident, there would be no need of the expenses of poor rates. If
there was no love of war and plunder, there would be no need of the
expense of an army. If there was no crime, there would be no need of
the expense of police and prisons. The thing is so simple and self-
evident, that it seems almost childish to mention it. And yet, my
friends, we forget it daily. We complain of the laws and their
harshness, of taxes and their expensiveness, and we forget all the
while that it is our own selfishness and sinfulness which brings this
expense upon us, which makes it necessary for the law to interfere
and protect us against others, and others against us. And while we
are complaining of the government for not doing its work somewhat
more cheaply, we are forgetting that if we chose, we might leave
government very little work to do--that every man if he chose, might
be his own law-maker and his own police--that every man if he will,
may lead a life "against which there is no law.
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