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Editorial
November 19, 1791
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An editorial extract defends freedom of speech as an American privilege but warns of its abuse when it promotes vice, obscures truth, or weakens morality and religion, arguing such misuse shows lack of wisdom and benevolence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
EXTRACTS.
ON THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FREEDOM of speech is the privilege of man; that peculiar privilege of an American; but I do not say that it is never abused; it is abused when virtue is drawn in a forbidding, and when vice is painted in a seducing light; it is abused when truth is obscured by dark shades, and when falsehood is dressed in the most captivating colours; it is abused when liberty is exhibited bound in chains, and when tyranny is placed in a pleasing point of view, embellished with every ornament which can dazzle and delude. To drop the pencil—he, surely, whatever be his rank in life, whatever be his post in society, discovers neither wisdom nor benevolence, who endeavors, as a politician, to loosen the bands of morality; and as a moralist, to weaken the ties of religion.—Such a man, whatever be his rank in life, whatever be his post in society, is not a friend to mankind—nor himself.
ON THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FREEDOM of speech is the privilege of man; that peculiar privilege of an American; but I do not say that it is never abused; it is abused when virtue is drawn in a forbidding, and when vice is painted in a seducing light; it is abused when truth is obscured by dark shades, and when falsehood is dressed in the most captivating colours; it is abused when liberty is exhibited bound in chains, and when tyranny is placed in a pleasing point of view, embellished with every ornament which can dazzle and delude. To drop the pencil—he, surely, whatever be his rank in life, whatever be his post in society, discovers neither wisdom nor benevolence, who endeavors, as a politician, to loosen the bands of morality; and as a moralist, to weaken the ties of religion.—Such a man, whatever be his rank in life, whatever be his post in society, is not a friend to mankind—nor himself.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Freedom Of Speech
American Privilege
Abuse Of Speech
Morality
Religion
Vice And Virtue
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Abuses Of Freedom Of Speech
Stance / Tone
Cautionary Defense With Moral Warnings
Key Arguments
Freedom Of Speech Is A Human And Especially American Privilege
It Is Abused By Portraying Vice Attractively And Virtue Repulsively
Abused By Obscuring Truth And Embellishing Falsehood
Abused By Misrepresenting Liberty And Tyranny
Politicians Who Weaken Morality And Moralists Who Undermine Religion Lack Wisdom And Benevolence
Such Individuals Are Not Friends To Mankind Or Themselves