Per Horace H. Lurton, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1911:
Which shall it be, a government of law or a government of men [and women]?
As the alternative to a government of law is a despotism, whether the despots be many or one, benevolent or malignant, the question admits of but one answer. But are we not more or less conscious of a restless tugging agains the bonds of the law and the yoke of the Constitution? Is there not a growing disposition to disregard the imitations which we have placed upon those in authority and a tendency to applaud the doing of things which we wish done, regardless whether lawful or unlawful? If one in power does things which displease us, we are swift to inquire into his [or her] authority; but is that so if the things done meets with our approval?
Horace H. Lurton, "A Government of Law or a Government of Men?", 193 No. Amer. Rev. 9 (Jan. 1911).