"Law represents the effort of man to organize society; governments, the efforts of selfishness to overthrow liberty"

Henry Ward Beecher's quote speaks to the tension in between law and federal government. Law is a tool used by society to produce order and structure, while federal government is a tool utilized by those in power to keep control. Law is implied to protect the rights of all people, while government is typically used to oppress and restrict the rights of specific groups. Beecher's quote recommends that law is a tool for developing a simply and equitable society, while government is a tool for those in power to keep their own interests. This quote highlights the value of understanding the distinction between law and government, and how they can be used to either secure or restrict the rights of people. It is a reminder that we should be vigilant in ensuring that our laws and federal governments are working to safeguard the rights of all citizens, and not just those in power.