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Literary
February 18, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Continuation of Dr. Price's essay on liberty of discussion, defending free expression of philosophical ideas unless they lead to overt acts of injustice or violence. Argues that censoring doctrines causes greater evils like intolerance and slavery than potential harms from unchecked speech.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From Doctor Price's Observations.
(continued.)
Of LIBERTY of DISCUSSION.
THESE philosophers when they come out into the world act as other men do. Common sense never fails to get the better of their theories ; and I know that many of them are some of the best men in the world, and the warmest friends to the true interests of society.
Though their doctrine may seem to furnish an apology for vice, their practice is an exhibition of virtue ; and a government which would silence them would greatly injure itself. Only overt acts of injustice, violence or defamation, come properly under the cognizance of civil power. Were a person now to go about London, teaching that "property is founded in grace," I should, were I a magistrate, let him alone while he did nothing but teach, without being under any apprehension than that he would soon find a lodging in Bedlam. But were he to attempt to carry his doctrine into its consequences by actually stealing, under the pretence of his right as a saint to the property of his neighbours, I should think it my duty to lay hold of him as a felon, without regarding the opinion from which he acted.
I am persuaded, that few or no inconveniences would arise from such a liberty. If magistrates will do their duty as soon as violence begins, or any overt acts which break the peace are committed, no great harm will arise from their keeping themselves neutral till then. Let however, the contrary be supposed. Let it be granted that civil authority will in this case often be too late in its exertions ; the just inference will be, not that the liberty pleaded for ought not to be allowed ; but that there will be two evils between which an option must be made, and the least of which must be preferred.
One is, the evil just mentioned. The other includes in it every evil which can arise from making the rulers of States judges of the tendency of doctrines, subjecting freedom of enquiry to the controul of their ignorance, and perpetuating darkness, intolerance and slavery. I need not say which of these evils is the least.
(To be continued.)
(continued.)
Of LIBERTY of DISCUSSION.
THESE philosophers when they come out into the world act as other men do. Common sense never fails to get the better of their theories ; and I know that many of them are some of the best men in the world, and the warmest friends to the true interests of society.
Though their doctrine may seem to furnish an apology for vice, their practice is an exhibition of virtue ; and a government which would silence them would greatly injure itself. Only overt acts of injustice, violence or defamation, come properly under the cognizance of civil power. Were a person now to go about London, teaching that "property is founded in grace," I should, were I a magistrate, let him alone while he did nothing but teach, without being under any apprehension than that he would soon find a lodging in Bedlam. But were he to attempt to carry his doctrine into its consequences by actually stealing, under the pretence of his right as a saint to the property of his neighbours, I should think it my duty to lay hold of him as a felon, without regarding the opinion from which he acted.
I am persuaded, that few or no inconveniences would arise from such a liberty. If magistrates will do their duty as soon as violence begins, or any overt acts which break the peace are committed, no great harm will arise from their keeping themselves neutral till then. Let however, the contrary be supposed. Let it be granted that civil authority will in this case often be too late in its exertions ; the just inference will be, not that the liberty pleaded for ought not to be allowed ; but that there will be two evils between which an option must be made, and the least of which must be preferred.
One is, the evil just mentioned. The other includes in it every evil which can arise from making the rulers of States judges of the tendency of doctrines, subjecting freedom of enquiry to the controul of their ignorance, and perpetuating darkness, intolerance and slavery. I need not say which of these evils is the least.
(To be continued.)
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Freedom
Political
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Liberty Of Discussion
Free Speech
Civil Authority
Philosophers
Vice And Virtue
Censorship
Intolerance
Overt Acts
What entities or persons were involved?
From Doctor Price's Observations.
Literary Details
Title
Of Liberty Of Discussion.
Author
From Doctor Price's Observations.
Subject
On Liberty Of Discussion
Key Lines
Common Sense Never Fails To Get The Better Of Their Theories ; And I Know That Many Of Them Are Some Of The Best Men In The World, And The Warmest Friends To The True Interests Of Society.
Only Overt Acts Of Injustice, Violence Or Defamation, Come Properly Under The Cognizance Of Civil Power.
I Am Persuaded, That Few Or No Inconveniences Would Arise From Such A Liberty.
The Just Inference Will Be, Not That The Liberty Pleaded For Ought Not To Be Allowed ; But That There Will Be Two Evils Between Which An Option Must Be Made, And The Least Of Which Must Be Preferred.
The Other Includes In It Every Evil Which Can Arise From Making The Rulers Of States Judges Of The Tendency Of Doctrines, Subjecting Freedom Of Enquiry To The Controul Of Their Ignorance, And Perpetuating Darkness, Intolerance And Slavery.