Sentence:  They [the laws] are at present, both in form and <WSD>essence</WSD>, the greatest curse that society labours under&#8239;; the scorn of the wicked, the consternation of the good, the refuge of those who violate, and the ruin of those who appeal to them. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (inherent nature)The inherent nature of a thing or idea.