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Editorial
February 26, 1795
Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
An editorial defending the liberty of the press, arguing that suppressing democratic societies aimed at thwarting government does not impair it, as individuals can still publish freely. Emphasizes trial by jury as the true bulwark against press restrictions, contrasting it with biased standing bodies. Signed 'GERMANICUS.'
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
rely on the liberty of the press, which, I hope and believe never will be shackled.
The liberty of the press, consists in allowing individuals to publish to the world their sentiments or facts, with no other restriction than what springs from a regard to the peace of the community, and from justice to individuals. But after the concession, which has been made to any number of men, as individuals, or as individuals occasionally assembled, or, in short, in any character, except that of a society, which by its constitution, shall maintain an undue ascendancy over the minds of the people, for the purpose of thwarting the measures of government ;-it certainly cannot follow, that the liberty of the press would be impaired by the suppression of such societies. If it be demanded, why, if so much is yielded, shall the other trifle be withholden? The answer is, that, as every thing is yielded, which the freest communication can require, that other trifle ought not to be pressed, which multitudes of the best friends to the union think important, and which our friends in France have experienced to be destructive.
The bulwark of the liberty of the press is the inestimable trial by jury. Had the democratic societies never been known; were they now effaced and forgotten; this bulwark would remain unshaken. Justly is it prized: because twelve individuals, selected without fraud or concert from the people, will hardly be prevailed on to sacrifice the rights of the people, by a tyrannical verdict against the freedom of the press. Are the whole body of the people less worthy to be trusted? Who will aver, that the people themselves, by being solicited to reflect on the situation of our affairs, would cancel this sacred right, sooner than a jury?
But I ought not to omit one of the pre-eminent advantages of a jury. They are exempt from those prejudices, which a standing body may sometimes contract. This is a perpetually existing, and actuated by the desire of detecting false steps only in government merit, of which no self created society, per will ever presume to boast.
GERMANICUS.
The liberty of the press, consists in allowing individuals to publish to the world their sentiments or facts, with no other restriction than what springs from a regard to the peace of the community, and from justice to individuals. But after the concession, which has been made to any number of men, as individuals, or as individuals occasionally assembled, or, in short, in any character, except that of a society, which by its constitution, shall maintain an undue ascendancy over the minds of the people, for the purpose of thwarting the measures of government ;-it certainly cannot follow, that the liberty of the press would be impaired by the suppression of such societies. If it be demanded, why, if so much is yielded, shall the other trifle be withholden? The answer is, that, as every thing is yielded, which the freest communication can require, that other trifle ought not to be pressed, which multitudes of the best friends to the union think important, and which our friends in France have experienced to be destructive.
The bulwark of the liberty of the press is the inestimable trial by jury. Had the democratic societies never been known; were they now effaced and forgotten; this bulwark would remain unshaken. Justly is it prized: because twelve individuals, selected without fraud or concert from the people, will hardly be prevailed on to sacrifice the rights of the people, by a tyrannical verdict against the freedom of the press. Are the whole body of the people less worthy to be trusted? Who will aver, that the people themselves, by being solicited to reflect on the situation of our affairs, would cancel this sacred right, sooner than a jury?
But I ought not to omit one of the pre-eminent advantages of a jury. They are exempt from those prejudices, which a standing body may sometimes contract. This is a perpetually existing, and actuated by the desire of detecting false steps only in government merit, of which no self created society, per will ever presume to boast.
GERMANICUS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
Constitutional
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Liberty Of The Press
Democratic Societies
Trial By Jury
Government Measures
France
Union Friends
What entities or persons were involved?
Democratic Societies
Government
Jury
People
France
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Press Liberty Against Suppression Of Democratic Societies
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Suppressing Anti Government Societies While Upholding Individual Press Freedom And Jury Trials
Key Figures
Democratic Societies
Government
Jury
People
France
Key Arguments
Liberty Of The Press Allows Individuals To Publish Sentiments Or Facts With Restrictions Only For Peace And Justice.
Suppressing Societies That Unduly Influence Minds To Thwart Government Does Not Impair Press Liberty.
Concessions To Individuals Ensure Free Communication, So Suppressing Such Societies Is Not A 'Trifle' To Withhold.
Multitudes Of Union Friends View Suppression As Important, As Experienced Destructively In France.
Trial By Jury Is The Bulwark Of Press Liberty, Remaining Even Without Democratic Societies.
Juries, Selected From The People Without Fraud, Resist Tyrannical Verdicts Against Press Freedom.
The People Themselves Are Trustworthy To Uphold Press Rights, No Less Than A Jury.
Juries Are Exempt From Prejudices That Standing Bodies Or Self Created Societies May Contract.