6919. PRESS (Freedom of the), Control of.—
While we deny that Congress have a
right to control the freedom of the press, we
have ever asserted the right of the States,
and their exclusive right, to do so. They
have accordingly, all of them, made provisions
for punishing slander. * * * In general,
the State laws appear to have made the
presses responsible for slander as far as is
consistent with its useful freedom. In those
States where they do not admit even the
truth of allegations to protect the printer,
they have gone too far.—
To Mrs. John Adams. Washington ed. iv, 561.
Ford ed., viii, 311.
(M.
1804)
