THE ADVANTAGES OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

From THE CANDID PHILOSOPHER.

EVERY one will allow, that freedom of thought ought not, and cannot be restrained, however freedom of speech may be so. The judge observed very justly to a satirical author, that the law forbade him to call him rogue. "I know it, my lord," re∣plied as justly the arch wag; "but the law does not forbid my thinking your lordship one."

Since, then, freedom of thought cannot be taken from a man, and is confessedly useful, let us briefly consider the advantages of Freedom of Speech.

And here a most excellent author occurs to me, and I shall give his sentiments on the subject, as nearly as I can remember, they being perfectly agreeable to my own:—

The passions are not to be extinguished but with life: To forbid, therefore, people to speak, is to for∣bid them to feel.—The more men express of their hate and resentment, perhaps the less they retain; and sometimes they vent the whole that way; but these passions, where they are smothered, will be apt to fester, to grow venomous, and to discharge them∣selves Page  68by a more dangerous organ than the mouth; even by an armed and vindictive hard. Less danger∣ous is a railing mouth than an heart filled with bit∣terness and curses; and more terrible to a prince ought to be the secret execrations of his people than their open revilings, or than even the assaults of his enemies. In truth, where no liberty is allowed to speak of governors, besides that of praising them, their praises will be little regarded. Their tender∣ness and aversion to have their conduct examined will be 〈◊〉 to prompt people to think their conduct guilty or 〈◊〉; to suspect their management and designs to be worse tha• perhaps they are; and to become turbulent and seditious, rather than be forced to be silent,