Resistance to Civil Government
I agree with Henry’s claims that “it is not just our right as Americans but also our duty to defy unjust laws”. The citizens should rise to reject injustices done to them by the government that is best in governing the least. Thoreau emphasizes people to stand to correct the wrongs and unlawful acts done by the government that is when they will have the kind of government they want. And they will stop the government from making them agents of injustice. Henry argues that human does not have a duty to eliminate evils but is entitled not to participate in evil acts.
People’s intrusions should initiate in voting. The voter should, not give their right to the mercy of fortuitous, nor wish it to conquer through the majority’s power (Civil disobedience quotes by Henry David Thoreau, n.d.). People should have the right to enjoy what they voted for and resist unjust laws. The individuals should enact slavery laws to protest against being slaves to the rich. Thoreau outline that the rich are placed in an institution that makes them remain rich. By the enactment of slavery-friendly law, there will be no slaves to others. People will work equally and have an equal share. In Thoreau time, people introduced the Fugitive Slave Law, which gave a platform for the protests.
Besides, individuals should go to the extra extent of practising civil disobedience of not paying taxes as a way of peaceable revolution. The government is the one who benefits from the charges; if the taxpayers may default to as a way show lack of support, the government may feel the need for just law. The régime gets an awareness that the people they are serving are the ones with power and not slaves of laws. He condemns the use of prisons as a “true place for just man in an unjust society” (Thoreau, 2009). Henry Thoreau and Martin Luther are well-known people who stood for what was right, and they segregated themselves from the unjust government. Both resisted unequal treatment to some Americans.
In conclusion, the people should abolish themselves from the unjust government through failing to submit their taxes. The people should also raise and end being used as agents and slaves of the inexpedient government. Individuals should know their rights when they vote, and they should demand justice be done upon them.
References
Civil disobedience quotes by Henry David Thoreau. (n.d.). https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/40809986-civil-disobedience
Thoreau, H. D. (2009). Civil disobedience: Resistance to civil government. The Floating Press.