No Man Is Above the Law

One of the lessons of history is that liberty depends upon respect for law. And on this subject we cite some lines from Abraham Lincoln: “I hope I am over wary;” he said, “but if I am not, there is even now something ill omen among us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country—the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions in lieu of the sober judgement of courts,…I know the …people are much attached to their government; I know they would suffer much for its sake;…–yet, notwithstanding all this, if the laws be continually despised and disregarded, if their rights to be secure in their persons and property are held by no better tenure than the caprice of a mob, the alienation of their affections from the government is the natural consequence; …When I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws,” Lincoln continued, “let me not be understood as saying there are no bad laws, or that grievance, may not arise…I mean to say no such thing. But I do mean to say that although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still, while they continue in force,…they should be…observed.” Thus spoke Abraham Lincoln.

“No man is above the law,” said Theodore Roosevelt, “and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we require him to obey it.”

“All nature observes law; life and every useful product is produced by a process of law, and life must be lived by observance of law. The plain fact is that if we only keep the commandments that are convenient, if we only keep those which accord with our appetites and inclinations, if we only keep the laws we like, there is no safety for anyone, anywhere, ever.

We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds man accountable…for the good and safety of society.”

Thank God for law, and for those who live it, uphold it, enforce it, respect it; for therein is our peace, our safety, our assurance, and indeed our very salvation.