Freedom of Speech under Threat: The Sedition Act of 1798

Abstract

The previous chapter showed how two contrasting approaches to the concept of freedom of speech had emerged in the new Republic by 1794. On the one hand, Republicans had a broad notion of freedom of speech, permitting the free expression of opinions, unhindered by Federal legislation. On the other, Federalists wanted to secure what was termed “genuine” freedom of speech, which was to be achieved by the imposition of limits on freedom of discussion, particularly on the extent to which the government and rulers could be criticized with impunity. The precise nature of the limits on freedom of speech that Federalists had in mind did not emerge in the debates in November 1794, and the attempt to censure Democratic societies was eventually voted down in the House of Representatives.