liberty, and the freedom of the press!

Imprudent to defend the freedom of the press! Why? Because the
defense was unsuccessful? Does success gild crime into patriotism,
and want of it change heroic self-devotion to imprudence? Was
Hampden imprudent when he drew the sword and threw away the
scabbard? Yet he, judged by that single hour, was unsuccessful.
After a short exile, the race he hated sat again upon the throne.

Imagine yourself present when the first news of Bunker Hill battle
reached a New England town. The tale would have run thus: "The
patriots are routed; the redcoats victorious; Warren lies dead upon
the field." With what scorn would that Tory have been received, who
should have charged Warren with imprudence! who should have said
that, bred as a physician, he was "out of place" in the battle, and
"died as the fool dieth!" [Great applause.] How would the
intimation have been received that Warren and his associates should
have waited a better time? But, if success be indeed the only
criterion of prudence, "Respice finem"--wait till the end.

Presumptuous to assert the freedom of the press on American ground!
Is the assertion of such freedom before the age? So much before the
age as to leave one no right to make it because it displeases the
community? Who invents this libel on his country? It is this very
thing which entitles Lovejoy to greater praise: the disputed right
which provoked the Revolution--taxation without representation--is
far beneath that for which he died. [Here there was a strong and
general expression of disapprobation.] One word, gentlemen! As much
as Thought is better than Money, so much is the cause in which
Lovejoy died nobler than a mere question of taxes. James Otis
thundered in this hall when the king did but touch his Pocket.
Imagine, if you can, his indignant eloquence had England offered to
put a gag upon his Lips. [Great applause.]

The question that stirred the Revolution touched our civil
interests. This concerns us not only as citizens, but as immortal
beings. Wrapped up in its fate, saved or lost with it, are not only
the voice of the statesman, but the instructions of the pulpit and
the progress of our faith.

Is the clergy "marvelously out of place" where free speech is
battled for--liberty of