"...A wicked government is not necessary; and when any one is inherently so, it forfeits its right to exist even for an hour. Indeed, properly speaking, there is but one government, – and that is not human, but divine; there is but one law, – and that is ‘the higher law’; there is but one ruler, and he is God, ‘in whom we live, and move, and have our being.’"
Discussion
"What is called human government is usurpation, imposture, demagogueism, peculation, swindling and tyranny, more or less, according to circumstances, and to the intellectual and moral condition of the people.
"Unquestionably, every existing government on earth is to be overthrown by the growth of mind and a moral regeneration of the masses."
"Absolutism – limited monarchy – democracy – all are sustained by the sword – all are based upon the doctrine that ‘might makes right’ – all are intrinsically inhuman, selfish, clannish, and opposed to a recognition of the brotherhood of man."
"[‘Governments’] are to liberty what whiskey, brandy, and gin are to temperance. They belong to ‘the kingdoms of this world,’ and are in due time to be utterly destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Him ‘whose right it is to reign,’ and by the erection of a kingdom which cannot be shaken."
"[‘Governments’] are not for the people, but make the people their prey; they are hostile to all progress; they resist to the utmost all radical changes. All history shows that Liberty, Humanity, Justice and Right have ever been in conflict with existing governments, no matter what their theory or form."
~ William Lloyd Garrison, 1856
