Press, Freedom

of the. In the original Constitution of the United States there was no provision regarding the freedom of the pre , it being left to be regulated by the States in accordance with the established opinion of the people. But the first Congre pa ed an amendment to the Constitution securing the freedom of the pre against the Federal Government. Previous to the this States had nearly all inserted in their constitutions clauses permitting freedom of speech and Vo}. VL—9 publication to every citizen. Citizens were of course held responsible for abuses of this liberty. In States, as New York or New Jersey, where no such provision was made in the origival Constitution, the freedom of the pre was considered as established under the common law, but provisions to that effect were embodied in later constitutions. During British rule of the colonies this freedom was much restricted by the Star Chamber Pre -censorship regulation of 1637, which was confirmed by Parliament in 1643. Preston, John 8. (1809-1881). was an able orator, and when Commi ioner from South Carolina to Virginia, in 1861, made a most elaborate plea in favor of sece ion. He served on the staff of General Beau regard from 1861 to 1862.. 132