New York Times Co. v. United States · ¶7

In seeking injunctions against these newspapers and in its presentation to the Court, the. Executive Branch seems to have forgotten the essential purpose and history of the First Amendment. When the Constitution was adopted, many.people strongly opposed it because the document contained no Bill of Rights to safeguard certain basic freedoms. They especially feared, that the new powers granted to a central government might be interpreted to permit the government to curtail freedom of religion, press, assembly, and speech. In response to an overwhelming public 'clamor, James'Madison offered a series of amendments to satisfy citizens that these great liberties would remain safe and beyond the power of government to abridge. Madison proposed what later became the First Amendment in three parts, two of which are set out below, and one of which proclaimed: “The people shall not be deprived or…

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 403, at 713 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
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