Author
Lysander Spooner
1808-1887
Lysander Spooner (1808-1887) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Lysander Spooner
An Essay on the Trial by Jury
"An Essay on the Trial by Jury" by Lysander Spooner is a legal and philosophical treatise written in the mid-19th century. The work explores the fundamental rights and responsibilities of juries, emphasizing their power to judge not only the facts of a case but also the justice of the laws themselves. Spooner argues that this right is essential to protect individual liberties from governmental oppression, framing the jury system as a bulwark against tyranny. At the start of the essay, Spooner establishes the historical context of the trial by jury, tracing its roots back to the Magna Carta and articulating how this mechanism is intended to empower the people's judgment over the government's authority. He insists that for a jury to function as a "palladium of liberty," it must be allowed to hold laws as invalid if deemed unjust or oppressive. Spooner warns against the dangers of a juror's ability to be influenced by governmental edicts and argues that the integrity of the jury is paramount to maintaining the freedoms of individuals against the actions of the state.
A New Banking System The Needful Capital for Rebuilding the Burnt District
"A New Banking System" by Lysander Spooner is a economic treatise written in the early 1870s. The book outlines Spooner's proposal for a banking system that utilizes the vast amounts of real estate and infrastructure available in Massachusetts and by extension the United States to create a new form of currency. The likely topic centers around banking reform and the promotion of a paper currency that is backed by productive assets rather than gold or silver. In this work, Spooner critiques the existing banking system, mainly the "National" banks, arguing that it is monopolistic and detrimental to the economic well-being of the broader population. He outlines an alternative system that uses mortgages and railroads as banking capital, leading to the creation of a more accessible and abundant currency. This new system promises not only to provide sufficient credit and liquidity to individuals and businesses alike but also to ensure stability without inflating prices. By emphasizing the connection between currency, credit, and economic productivity, Spooner seeks to enable a more equitable financial environment that empowers both workers and entrepreneurs.
No Treason, Vol. VI.: The Constitution of No Authority
"No Treason, Vol. VI.: The Constitution of No Authority" by Lysander Spooner is an essay written in 1867. This radical pamphlet challenges the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution itself, arguing it violates natural law and operates without true consent of the governed. Spooner, an individualist anarchist and abolitionist, contends that the Constitution's tolerance of slavery and the Civil War's aftermath prove the document has no binding authority over citizens who never personally agreed to it.
A Letter to Grover Cleveland On His False Inaugural Address, The Usurpations and Crimes of Lawmakers and Judges, and the Consequent Poverty, Ignorance, and Servitude Of The People
"A Letter to Grover Cleveland" by Lysander Spooner is a political treatise written in the late 19th century. This work addresses the author's critiques and insights regarding the inaugural address of President Grover Cleveland and the broader implications of governmental authority, laws, and justice. Spooner articulates a strong libertarian perspective, arguing against the legitimacy of laws created by lawmakers and the detrimental impact of such laws on individual rights and freedoms. The opening of the text presents Spooner's argument that Cleveland's inaugural address reflects a false narrative of justice attributed to a government that, according to Spooner, operates outside the principles of natural justice. He challenges the very notion that lawmakers can create laws that embody justice, asserting instead that true justice is immutable and cannot be altered by human authority. Spooner suggests that the government has usurped individual rights under the guise of protection and order, leading to widespread injustice, poverty, and servitude among the populace. He emphasizes the need for individuals to understand and reclaim their inherent rights against the encroachment of governmental authority, setting the stage for a critical examination of the intersection between power and personal freedom.
The Unconstitutionality of Slavery
"The Unconstitutionality of Slavery" by Lysander Spooner is an abolitionist essay written in 1845. Challenging both proslavery advocates and fellow abolitionists who believed the Constitution supported slavery, Spooner argues the opposite case. Drawing on natural law, colonial charters, and founding documents, he contends that slavery has no legal basis in America and that Congress must abolish it. His radical constitutional interpretation proved highly influential among political abolitionists, though Spooner's anarchist principles kept him from joining their movements.
A Letter to Thomas F. Bayard
"A Letter to Thomas F. Bayard" by Lysander Spooner is a critical political treatise written during the late 19th century. This book challenges the legitimacy of congressional power over the citizens of the United States, arguing that the legislators' authority is a usurpation rather than a legitimate delegation of power by the people. Spooner confronts the notion that it is possible for a legislator to exercise authority honestly under the existing constitutional framework. In this letter, Spooner systematically dissects the concept of delegated legislative power, claiming that no individual can rightfully assign arbitrary dominion over themselves or others. He contends that the U.S. Constitution was enacted without genuine consent from the populace and serves primarily to empower a select group of individuals to enact laws that infringe upon the natural rights of citizens. Spooner urges Senator Bayard to recognize the absurdity of the legislative system, encouraging him to acknowledge that no law created under such arbitrary authority can be considered just. Ultimately, the letter serves as a call for reflection on the nature of government and individual rights, inviting readers to reconsider the foundations of authority in their society.