“Persecution is the first law of society because it is always easier to suppress criticism than to meet it.”

A lot wrong here with a most translucent color of accurate understanding. There is no law of persecution. Society doesn't suppress, individuals (individually or in concert) do. Answering persecution with like persecution is another favorite. Ad hominems are easier to throw out than address a specific uncomfortable topic. Suppressing criticism is easier than speaking to the how, why or what thereof - freedoms are lost in such manner.