“Without an unfettered press, without liberty of speech, all the outward forms and structures of free institution are a sham, a pretense – the sheerest of mockery. If the press is not free; if speech is not independent and untrammelled; if the mind is shackled or made impotent through fear, it makes no difference under what form of government you live you are a subject and not a citizen. Republics are not in and of themselves better than other forms of government except in so far as they carry with them and guarantee to the citizen that liberty of thought and action for which they were established.” – Senator William E. Borah, remarks in Senate, April 19th, 1917.
“Without free speech no search for truth is possible, without free speech no discovery of truth is useful, without free speech progress is checked and the nations no longer march forward toward the nobler life which the future holds for man. Better a thousandfold abuse of speech than a denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race.” – Attributed to Charles Bradlaugh.
“I realize that, in speaking to you this afternoon, there are certain limitations placed upon the right of free speech. I must be exceedingly careful, prudent, as to what I say, and even more careful and prudent as to how I say it. I may not be able to say all I think; but I am not going to say anything that I do not think.” – Eugene V. Debs, in a speech to the Socialist party of Ohio. June 16th, 1918.
“Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech.” – Benjamin Franklin, July 9th, 1722.
“Truth is the one thing to live, love, and die for! Raise your barbaric screams high above the rooftops of the world….brave on!” – Tom Cochran, in “Brave and Crazy,” from album, “Mad, Mad World.”
