Freedom Of Speech: Charles Schenck
Submitted by on January 1, 1998
Category: Law
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Freedom is a right guaranteed to us by the Constitution. Charles Schenck was unfairly
prosecuted under the Espionage Act and should have been allowed to publish his
opinions without punishment. The First Amendment guarantees the rights to freedom
of speech and the press. Both of these rights of Charles Schenck were infringed upon
when he was prosecuted under the Espionage Act. It has long been thought that
criticism is an important part of democracy (Ingelhart). Criticism is necessary and
Charles Schenck criticized the government which helped democracy. The Espionage Act
was motivated by President Wilson’s desire for more power and control. The act was
aimed at punishing left-wing sympathizers with the Russian Revolution (Shapiro
1623). Charles Schenck should have been permitted to distribute his pamphlets freely...