The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death. To be loyal to rags, to shout for rags, to die for rags--that is a loyalty of unreason, it is pure animal; it belongs to monarchy, was invented by monarchy; let monarchy keep it.

Today, when a concerted effort is made to obliterate this point, it cannot be repeated too often that the Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals -- that it does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government -- that it is not a charter _for_ government power, but a charter of the citizen's protection _against_ the government.

Can one who hates right govern?" Job 34:13

In an ideal world, both parties would desire to uphold the Constitution.

Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide." Acts 4:19

Government is not a human institution. It is a divine institution that humans are to run on His behalf. When they create their own rules, then they become against the creator and what He intended for government to do.

We are superior to government and should remain master over it, not the other way around.

Nevertheless power and domination are not given even to such men save by the providence of the most high God, when He judges that the state of human affairs is worthy of such lords.

For, as far as this life of mortals is concerned, which is spent and ended in a few days, what does it matter under whose government a dying man lives, if they who govern do not force him to impiety and iniquity?

The truth is, if we don't learn to submit to authority, we won't ever learn to submit to God.

It ain't no sin if you crack a few laws now and then, just so long as you don't break any.

submitting to authority is never for evil, but always for blessing.