“Without Freedom of thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of speech” ~ Benjamin Franklin
John Zenger ~ 1736
"No nation, ancient or modern, ever lost the liberty of speaking freely, writing, or publishing their sentiments, but forthwith lost their liberty in general and became slaves."
Andrew Hamilton ~ 1735
"The question before the Court and you, Gentlemen of the Jury, is not of small nor private concern nor is it the cause of a poor printer, nor of New York alone. No, it may affect every Freeman to deny the liberty of both exposing and opposing arbitrary power by speaking and writing truth."
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Definitions
peace: 1. freedom from war 2. an agreement to end war 3. law and order 4. harmony; concord 5. serenity, calm or quiet
justice: 1. fairness 2. rightfulness 3. reward or penalty as deserved 4. the use of authority to uphold what is just 5. the administration of the law
liberal: 1. generous 2. ample; abundant 3. not literal or strict 4. tolerant; broad-minded 5. favoring reform or progress
conservative: 1. tending to preserve established institutions; opposed to change 2. cautious; moderate
justice: 1. fairness 2. rightfulness 3. reward or penalty as deserved 4. the use of authority to uphold what is just 5. the administration of the law
liberal: 1. generous 2. ample; abundant 3. not literal or strict 4. tolerant; broad-minded 5. favoring reform or progress
conservative: 1. tending to preserve established institutions; opposed to change 2. cautious; moderate
The Zenger Decision
No case in American history stands as a greater landmark on the road to protection for freedom of the press than the trial of a German immigrant printer named John Peter Zenger. Zenger was defended by Philadelphia attorney Andrew Hamilton, who argued that published statements could not be libelous if they were true. English law at the time, which was designed to protect the government from critical elements, dictated that truth was not a defense to libel. However, on August 5, 1735, twelve New York jurors ignored the instructions of the Governors's hand-picked judges and returned a verdict of "Not Guilty" on the charge of publishing "seditious libels." This decision proved to not only redefine the law of libel and slander but also to lay the foundation for the freedom of the press that we enjoy today.
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