"Freedom of speech and of the press are which are safeguarded by the of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Federal Constitution. [...] The right of peaceable assembly is a right cognate to those of free speech and free press, and is equally fundamental. [...] The very idea of a government, republican in form, implies a right on the part of its citizens to meet peaceably for consultation in respect to public affairs and to petition for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment of the Federal Constitution expressly guarantees that right against abridgment by Congress. But explicit mention there does not argue exclusion elsewhere. For the right is one that cannot be denied without violating those fundamental principles of liberty and justice which lie at the base of all civil and political institutions — principles which the Fourteenth Amendment embodies in the general terms of its due process clause. [...] These rights may be abused by using speech or press or assembly in order to incite to violence and crime. The people, through their may protect themselves against that abuse. But the legislative intervention, can find constitutional justification only by dealing with the abuse. The rights themselves must not be curtailed. The greater the importance of safeguarding the community from incitements to the overthrow of our institutions by force and violence, the more imperative is the need to preserve inviolate the s of free speech, free press and free assembly in order to maintain the opportunity for free political discussion, to the end that government may be responsive to the will of the people and that changes, if desired, may be obtained by peaceful means. Therein lies the security of the Republic, the very foundation of constitutional government."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Charles Evans Hughes, ', 299 U.S. 353, 365 (1937).
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Freedom_of_assembly
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Freedom of assembly
9 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Freedom of assembly →
Related Quotes
"The Bill of Rights was designed to keep agents of government and official away from assemblies of people. The aim was…"
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abri…"
"Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freed…"
"Without general elections, without freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, without the free bat…"
"During the very first storms of the revolution, the French bourgeoisie dared to take away from the workers the right …"
"Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association."
"Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly OSCE/ODIHR, 2007"
"Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (2nd edition) Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR, 2010"
"Commoners shall have no council. If anybody is found participating in council, let his ears be cut off, and let the l…"
"Any poor woman Unable to litigate Or defend herself Shall choose an attorney Who shall speak on her behalf.The poores…"