The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

It is said, that certain GREAT MEN, who have been very freely addressed in the news papers, complain heavily of the Licentiousness of the PRESS, wed the necessity there is of putting it under some further restraint: but such great men ought to consider, whether they have not given the people some cause for such Licentiousness; whether they have not oppressed them, and taken away their RIGHTS & LIBERTIES, contrary to the laws of the land, & consequently have been licentious themselves; for if they have, they can have no just cause for complaining of the licentiousness of the people. If great men will infringe upon the rights of the people, contrary to the Laws, they should not expect, for they never will find, that the people will keep strictly within the limits of the law in their complaints. They set them the example of breaking the laws, and being licentious, and must thank themselves. As to any further restraint upon the press, the people well know that all the rights and liberties they have left, are entirely owing to the liberty of the press; & whoever shall dare to make an attempt upon that, they will look upon as open and declared enemies to their freedom, and, at all events, oppose them with all their power.