The right of arbitrary, irresponsible dominion is the right of property; and the right of property is the right of arbitrary, irresponsible dominion. The two are identical. There is no difference between them. Neither can exist without the other. If, therefore, our so-called lawmakers really have that right of arbitrary, irresponsible dominion over us, which they claim to have, and which they habitually exercise, it must be because they own us as property. If they own us as property, it must be because nature made us their property; for, as no man can sell himself as a slave, we could never make a binding contract that should make us their property--or, what is the same thing, give them any right of arbitrary, irresponsible dominion over us. As a lawyer, you certainly ought to know that all this is true. SECTION VIII. Sir, consider, for a moment, what an utterly false, absurd, ridiculous, and criminal government we now have. It all rests upon the false, ridiculous, and utterly groundless assumption, that fifty millions of people not only could voluntarily surrender, but actually have voluntarily surrendered, all their natural rights, as human beings, into the custody of some four hundred men, called lawmakers, judges, etc., who are to be held utterly irresponsible for the disposal they may make of them.[2] [2] The irresponsibility of the senators and representatives is guaranteed to them in this wise: For any speech or debate [or vote] in either house, they [the senators and representatives] shall not be questioned [held to any legal responsibility] in any other place.--_Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 6._ The judicial and executive officers are all equally guaranteed against all responsibility _to the people_. They are made responsible only to the senators and representatives, whose laws they are to administer and execute. So long as they sanction and execute all these laws, to the satisfaction of the lawmakers, they are safe against all responsibility. _In no case can the people, whose rights they are continually denying and trampling upon, hold them to any accountability whatever._ Thus it will be seen that all departments of the government, legislative, judicial, and executive, are placed entirely beyond any responsibility _to the people_, whose agents they profess to be, and whose rights they assume to dispose of at pleasure. Was a more absolute, irresponsible government than that ever invented?