The word itself may be clearer in the minds of many than its definition; few ignore what a right is, and fewer still perhaps could say clearly and correctly what they mean by the word.  A right is not something that you can see and feel and smell:  it is a moral faculty, that is, a recognized, inviolable power or liberty to do something, to hold or obtain possession of something.  Where the right of property is concerned, it supposes a certain relation or connection between a person and an object; this may be a relation of natural possession, as in the case of life or reputation, a relation of lawful acquisition, as that of the goods of life, etc.  Out of this relation springs a title, just and proper, by which I may call that object “mine,” or you, “yours;” ownership is thereby established of the object and conceded to the party in question.  This party is therefore said to have a right to the object; and the right is good, whether he is in possession or not thereof.  Justice respects this right, respects the just claims and titles of the owner, and forbids every act injurious thereto.

All this pre-supposes the idea of God, and without that idea, there can be no justice and no rights, properly so-called.  Justice is based on the conformity of all things with the will of God.  The will of God is that we attain to everlasting happiness in the next world through the means of an established order of things in this life.  This world is so ruled, and our nature is such, that certain means are either absolutely or relatively necessary for the attaining of that end; for example, life, reputation, liberty, the pursuit of happiness in the measure of our lawful capacity.  The obligation therefore to reach that end gives us the right to use these means; and God places in every soul the virtue of justice so that this right may be respected.

But it must be understood that the rights of God towards us transcend all other rights that we may have towards our fellow-men; ours we enjoy under the high dominion of Him who grants all rights.  Consequently, in the pursuit of justice for ourselves, our rights cease the moment they come into antagonism with the superior rights of God as found in His Law.  No man has a right to do what is evil, not even to preserve that most inalienable and sacred of all rights, his right to life.  To deny this is to destroy the very notion of justice; the restrictions of our rights are more sacred than those rights themselves.

Violation of rights among equals is called injustice.  This sin has a triple malice; it attacks the liberty of fellow-men and destroys it; it attacks the order of the world and the basis of society; it attacks the decree and mandate of the Almighty who wills that this world shall be run on the plan of justice.  Injustice is therefore directly a sin against man, and indirectly a crime against God.

So jealous is God of the rights of His creatures that He never remains satisfied until full justice is done for every act of injustice.  Charity may be wounded, and the fault condoned; but only reparation in kind will satisfy justice.  Whatever is mine is mine, and mine it will ever remain, wherever in this world another may have betaken himself with it.  As long as it exists it will appeal to me as to its master and owner; if justice is not done in this world, then it will appeal to the justice of Heaven for vengeance.