"In a popular government, so far from according an entire immunity from penalties to the press, its abuses are those which society is required, by its very safety, to visit w/ its heaviest punishments. In a democracy, misleading the publick [sic] mind, as regards facts, characters, or principles, is corrupting all that is dear to society…
"In a popular government, so far from according an entire immunity from penalties to the press, its abuses are those which society is required, by its very safety, to visit w/ its heaviest punishments. In a democracy, misleading the publick [sic] mind, as regards facts, characters, or principles, is corrupting all that is dear to society at its source, opinion being the fountain whence justice, honors, & the laws, equally flow. It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can be borne w/ less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." -James Fenimore Cooper
"In a popular government, so far from according an entire immunity from penalties to the press, its abuses are those which society is required, by its very safety, to visit w/ its heaviest punishments. In a democracy, misleading the publick [sic] mind, as regards facts, characters, or principles, is corrupting all that is dear to society at its source, opinion being the fountain whence justice, honors, & the laws, equally flow. It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can be borne w/ less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." -James Fenimore Cooper