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9 August 1810
Press§. 6. Suggestions
The remedy will extend only to false facts: not to arguments.
But as to argumentation, this follows to produce parties: and
in case of opposite parties whatever proof each party finds proper to it.
If by any individual or any party the faculty
of making communications to the public is engrossed,
the freedom of the press will exist have place only in name, and
with it the freedom of the constitution will be but an empty
name.
If it be the party in administration (for this is
a distinction that will presently form itself) viz the majority of it the conduct
and character reputation of their opponents whether in the administrative
body itself or in the legislative (composed of the deputes
of the people) will lie at their mercy: and the opinion
of the people being thus absolutely under their direction
will not operate upon them as a check misrule will
be without a check. On condition of disseminating
in this manner the requisite quantity of calumny and misrepresentation,
such of the representatives of the people as in their assembly oppose the
system of mal-administration
will be deprived of the degree
of public confidence
necessary to their
maintaining their situation,
and acting
with effect while not.
If it be the party, by whom the means of communication
are thus engrossed, be the in opposition, it
will thus have the administration at its mercy, the
party in administration. But being exposed to incessant
attack, and without any means of defending themselves
the party in administration will soon be obliged to
give up their situation to their opponents, who thus
will thereupon find themselves in the possession of the sort
of tyranny just described.
Identifier: | JB/118/409/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 118.
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jeremy bentham |
th 1806 |
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andre morellet |
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1806 |
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draft of enclosure to letter 2190, vol. 8 |
39463 |
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