Doing a thing by law, or according to law, is only carrying the law into execution. And punishing a man by, or according to, the sentence or judgment of his peers, is only carrying that sentence or judgment into execution.
The Complete Works of Lysander Spooner: The Unconstitutionality of Slavery, No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority, Vices are Not Crimes, Natural ... Laws of Congress, Prohibiting Private Mails