This is a perverted and illegitimate use of its power. Legislatures cannot create natural rights, neither can they make right wrong, or wrong right. The law of right and wrong is a law antedating and wholly independent of any legislative enactments. Legislators are bound to shape their legislation by their knowledge of this law of justice which is inherent in the human mind, and their legislation will be excellent in proportion as they approximate to this ideal standard. It is proper to say, therefore, that the province of the legislature is not to create law, but to ascertain and define it.
Righteousness is a law, and has been such from the foundation of the world.
It is binding upon men everywhere, and at all times. All men are bound, always, to do right. He is still bound to do right, still bound by conscience to the higher law of God. This higher law must be obeyed at any cost. Unjust enactments do not derive any sanctity from being on the statute books.