# these men — No Treason character guide > these men in No Treason by Lysander Spooner. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** their, themselves **First appearance:** 0000-introductory ## Snapshot The collective of ordinary men—friends, enemies, and citizens—whose voluntary agreements Spooner uses to test what treason truly means. ## Who they are They are the many whose contracts, friendships, and wars supply Spooner's examples, from Benedict Arnold's betrayal to the open enmity of the Southern people. Their defining tension is between professed loyalty and declared hostility, since a man who gives fair warning before turning enemy is no traitor at all. Their conduct anchors the book's early effort to strip treason of its false, kingly meanings. ## Relationships ### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/d) _rivalry_ D is in constant conflict with these men, who represent a collective opposition to his ideals. ### [Knaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/knaves) _social_ Knaves and these men are associated as part of the same corrupt group or network. ### [Mr. B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/mr_b) _social_ Mr. B is aligned with these men, likely as part of a faction opposing D. ### [a man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/a_man) _rivalry_ A man is opposed to these men, likely siding with D against them. ### [any member of Congress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/any_member_of_congress) _social_ Congress members and these men are part of the same corrupt establishment. ### [Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/unknown) _psychological_ These men are connected to an unknown entity, hinting at hidden agendas. ### [the Rothschilds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/the_rothschilds) _social_ The Rothschilds are connected to these men, suggesting financial or political collusion. ### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/d) _rivalry_ D is in constant conflict with these men, who represent a collective opposition to his ideals. ### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/d) _rivalry_ D is in constant conflict with these men, who represent a collective opposition to his ideals. ## In the story ### [No Treason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/no-treason) Refers to the rulers or government officials who presume consent and use force to compel obedience. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii) The majority or minority groups who seek to rule over others, driven by passions for fame, power, and money. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/iii) Refers to the majority or strongest party claiming authority over the nation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/iv) Refers to the American revolutionaries who acted as individuals, not as governments. ### [II: The Constitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii-the-constitution) Refers to the framers and administrators of the Constitution who are accused of swindling intentions and designing a government of the strong over the weak. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/i) Refers to those who use the ballot to tyrannize others, and those who vote under coercion. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii) Refers to the Southern people who became open enemies after fair warning. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ix) The stronger party that rules by superior strength. ### [The Treason Swindle and the War for Slavery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/x) The swindlers who designed the Constitution with false pretenses of consent, intending to entrap the people into a government of the powerful. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xi) The usurpers who presume consent to justify their dominion over the weaker party. ### [VI: The Constitution of No Authority](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/vi-the-constitution-of-no-authority) The secret band of robbers and murderers who call themselves 'the government' and extort money through force. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/i) Refers to the original parties to the Constitution, who are now dead and could not bind their posterity. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/iii) The secret members of the government who designate an agent to collect taxes and use force against resisters. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/v) The framers of the Constitution, now dead, who never had power to bind future generations. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/vii) Those who pretend to act by the Constitution's authority, described as usurpers. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ix) Referred to as confederates in crime who lack confidence and friendship among themselves, engaged in schemes to plunder each other and others. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/x) The few individuals acting in concert as senators, representatives, presidents, etc., who constitute the visible government. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii) The secret band of voters who designate agents via secret ballot, remaining individually unknown. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xii) The secret band of robbers and murderers who appoint agents but remain concealed. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xvii) The secret band of robbers and murderers who are the real principals in contracting the debts. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xviii) The secret band of robbers and murderers who constitute the real governing power. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xix) Northern merchants and manufacturers who lent money for the war to secure monopolies and control Southern markets. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters/these_men - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/characters