| Publication information |
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Source: Modern Democracies Source type: book Document type: book chapter Document title: “The Press in a Democracy” [chapter 10] Author(s): Bryce, James Volume number: 1 Publisher: Macmillan Company Place of publication: New York, New York Year of publication: 1921 Pagination: 92-110 (excerpt below includes only pages 93-94) |
| Citation |
| Bryce, James. “The Press in a Democracy” [chapter 10]. Modern Democracies. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan, 1921: pp. 92-110. |
| Transcription |
| excerpt of chapter |
| Keywords |
| the press (freedom of); freedom of speech (restrictions on). |
| Named persons |
| William McKinley; Johann Most. |
| Notes |
| From title page: By James Bryce (Viscount Bryce), Author of “The Holy Roman Empire,” “The American Commonwealth,” etc. |
| Document |
The Press in a Democracy [excerpt]
In countries long attached to the principles of liberty such [93][94] as the United States and England some violent journalists were found advocating the assassination of rulers or statesmen. Could this be permitted? Did the existence of a political motive justify incitement to murder? This question was answered in the United States by the conviction and punishment, nearly forty years ago, of Johann Most, a German anarchist. The murder, in 1901, of President McKinley, by a Polish anarchist, probably under the influence of literature suggesting the removal of the heads of States, gave further actuality to this issue. In a country which provides constitutional means for the redress of grievances, political assassination is an offence against democracy, and cannot plead the arguments used to justify tyrannicide in lands ruled by tyrants. Will democracy allow itself to be stabbed in the back?