ABSTRACT
It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist, under every just and good government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth, cannot be produced by human institutions... but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society—the farmers, mechanics, and laborers—who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustices of their government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses (Walker 1976, p. 69).
