The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted, when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.
— Thomas Jefferson
About this Quote
Quote in Context
An hereditary chief, strictly limited, the right of war vested in the legislative body, a rigid economy of the public contributions, and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses, will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive. But the only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted, when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.
Quote Source Information
• Letter to Marquis de la Fayette (November 4, 1823); in: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition (ME) (Lipscomb and Bergh, editors), 20 Vols., Washington, D.C., 1903-04, Volume 15, page 491
• Source: Wikiquote: "Thomas Jefferson" (Quotes, 1820s)
About this Picture
Name: Thomas Jefferson by Moses Jacob Ezekiel
Summary: This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer.
Description: English: Statue of Thomas Jefferson by Moses Jacob Ezekiel (October 28, 1844, Virginia – March 27, 1917). Located beside the Rotunda, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. Statue was unveiled in May 1910, and is a smaller copy of the work created for Louisville, Kentucky, two years before. (New York Times, "Ezekiel, Sculptor, Arrives", May 25, 1910).
Date: 1910
Source: Moses Jacob Ezekiel, sculptor; I took this photograph.
Author: Moses Jacob Ezekiel, sculptor; I took this photograph.
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