# Secret Government and Secret Ballot in No Treason

> Theme guide for No Treason by Lysander Spooner.

The author attacks the secret ballot as creating a secret band of robbers and murderers, since it allows individuals to avoid responsibility for the actions of their agents and conceals the true rulers.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: The Constitution of No Authority](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/vi-the-constitution-of-no-authority): The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret government of robbers and murderers, preventing any legal proof of consent.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii): The secret ballot is condemned as creating a secret band of robbers, tyrants, and murderers, and as preventing any legal proof of support for the Constitution.
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/iii): The secret ballot is portrayed as a mechanism that conceals the identity of rulers, preventing taxpayers from knowing who they are contracting with or consenting to.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/vii): The people have never been asked to sign the Constitution, implying a secret or imposed government.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/viii): The chapter argues that the secret ballot creates a secret government of robbers and murderers, as agents cannot know their principals and no one takes personal responsibility.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ix): The chapter directly attacks the secret ballot as the foundation of a secret government of robbers and murderers, arguing it enables covert plunder and murder.
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/x): The chapter explicitly argues that the government is a secret band of robbers and murderers, chosen by secret ballot to avoid personal responsibility.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/ii): The chapter extensively argues that the secret ballot creates a secret government where agents are appointed by unknown individuals, preventing any legitimate contract or oath.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xii): The chapter describes a secret band of robbers and murderers who appoint agents while remaining concealed, illustrating the theme of secret government.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xii): The author criticizes the concealed nature of the supposed association, which acts secretly and without open, authentic consent.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xiv): The United States is characterized as a secret band of robbers and murderers, lacking open, authentic corporate existence.
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xvi): The argument implies that government officials operate without authentic, open authorization from the governed, akin to a secret government.
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xvii): The chapter emphasizes that the government is a secret band operating through secret ballots, making contracts in the dark without individual accountability.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/chapters/xviii): The secret ballot prevents individual responsibility, allowing a hidden band of robbers and murderers to rule.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/themes/secret_government_and_secret_ballot
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/no_treason_se/themes