Introduction In 1801, Thomas Jefferson supported potentially seditious speech, stating: "We have nothing to fear from the demoralizing reasonings of some, if others are left free to demonstrate their errors and especially when the law stands ready to punish the first criminal act produced by the false reasonings; these are safer corrections than the conscience of the judge." In a 1929 case, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in a dissenting opinion, "[I]f there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other it is the principle of free thought—not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought that we hate." Why would unpopular speech be so strenuously protected?
Destination Title: Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Introduction to the Free Speech Clause
Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window. Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for Tips.
Use the information you found to answer the following questions.
Textbook Resources
Unit Resources
Chapter Activities
Section Resources
Teacher
Student
Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice before you explore our Web site. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.