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nisli the rule of morals, whether an attribute or
an emanation of divinity, in the just estimate of
a sound philosophy—is alone entitled to he called
law. It alone is paramount and supreme. It alone
is everywhere potentially present. It can never
be escaped from, eluded, evaded, resisted or ap
pealed from.
j
ST
o
modification of it can by possi
bility occur. No repeal or suspension of any
clause or provision can be hoped for, and no limit
to it, in time, space, or eternity, can be contem
plated.
Matter exists, is changed, and perpetuated by
it, and necessarily mind and spirit are equally
within its compelling and controlling embrace.
And if indeed it enforces the perpetuity of matter,
it may be claimed as a just corollary that spirit
is necessarily indestructible also. It enforces
itself. No matter by whom or under what cir
cumstances any of its provisions are violated, de
tection, arrest, trial, and sentence instantaneously
and inexorably follow, without remission or com
mutation of punishment; and whoever hopes to
violate it and avoid its penalties, would do well
to thoroughly understand and estimate his means
of escape.
The study and ascertainment of this law is the