A slave government is an oligarchy; and one, too, of the most arbitrary and criminal character

A slave government is an oligarchy; and one, too, of the most arbitrary and criminal character

Lysander Spooner, a 19th-century American political philosopher and abolitionist, was a staunch critic of slavery and government tyranny. In his essay "A Defense for Fugitive Slaves," Spooner argued that a government that condones and supports slavery is essentially an oligarchy, characterized by the rule of a few individuals who hold absolute power and control over the lives of others.

According to Spooner, a slave government is not only unjust and oppressive but also inherently criminal in nature. He believed that the institution of slavery was a violation of natural law and human rights, as it deprived individuals of their freedom and autonomy. In Spooner's view, slavery was a form of tyranny that allowed a small group of slave owners to wield unchecked power over their slaves, treating them as mere property to be bought, sold, and exploited for their own gain.

Furthermore, Spooner argued that the government's complicity in upholding and enforcing slavery made it complicit in the crimes committed against slaves. By allowing the institution of slavery to exist and flourish, the government was essentially endorsing and perpetuating a system of oppression and exploitation that violated the fundamental principles of justice and equality.