The true and general meaning of it, is that _natural_, permanent, unalterable principle, which governs any particular thing or class of things. The principle is strictly a _natural_ one; and the term applies to every _natural_ principle, whether mental, moral or physical. Thus we speak of the laws of mind; meaning thereby those _natural_, universal and necessary principles, according to which mind acts, or by which it is governed. We speak too of the moral law; which is merely an universal principle of moral obligation, that arises out of the nature of men, and their relations to each other, and to other things--and is consequently as unalterable as the nature of men. And it is solely because it is unalterable in its nature, and universal in its application, that it is denominated law. If it were changeable, partial or arbitrary, it would be no law. Thus we speak of physical laws; of the laws, for instance, that govern the solar system; of the laws of motion, the laws of gravitation, the laws of light, &c., &c.--Also the laws that govern the vegetable and animal kingdoms, in all their various departments: among which laws may be named, for example, the one that like produces like. Unless the operation of this principle were uniform, universal and necessary, it would be no law. Law, then, applied to any object or thing whatever, signifies a _natural_, unalterable, universal principle, governing such object or thing. Any rule, not existing in the nature of things, or that is not permanent, universal and inflexible in its application, is no law, according to any correct definition of the term law. What, then, is that _natural_, universal, impartial and inflexible principle, which, under all circumstances, _necessarily_ fixes, determines, defines and governs the civil rights of men? Those rights of person, property, &c., which one human being has, as against other human beings? I shall define it to be simply _the rule, principle, obligation or requirement of natural justice_. This rule, principle, obligation or requirement of natural justice, has its origin in the natural rights of individuals, results necessarily from them, keeps them ever in view as its end and purpose, secures their enjoyment, and forbids their violation. It also secures all those acquisitions of property, privilege and claim, which men have a _natural_ right to make by labor and contract.