The first amendment to the Constitution is the freedom of religion, press, speech, and assembly. The one thing all of these have in common, is that they all ensure that the people have the freedom of thought, or, as Thomas Gordon said, “you might think what you would, and speak what you thought”. Today, I want to specifically draw attention to the freedom of speech, which can really include all of the above mentioned freedoms. There is a reason that this was the very first amendment to the Constitution, because while the Constitution guarantees certain “unalienable rights” which include the freedom of speech, there were those who wanted to make sure that this certain right could not be taken away under any circumstances. This freedom of speech is what allows the people to say whatever they wish about the government and what it has become. It allows people to be able to fight against tyranny, and stand up for that which they believe to be right. Thomas Gordon also declared, “that men ought to speak well of their governors… while their governors deserve to be well spoken of; but to do a public mischief, without hearing of it, is only the prerogative and felicity of tyranny: a free people will be shewing that they are so, by their freedom of speech.” The freedom of speech is an important tool to restoring liberty. Not only is it a privilege when we have this freedom, it is our duty to use it to fight against tyranny. All of the principles I have written about; hard work, perseverance, teaching, knowledge, virtue, liberty, and all others, require you to utilize those freedoms mentioned in the first amendment. This is why these freedoms being targeted is so detrimental to the cause of liberty. No matter what, we must continue to say whatever we can for the cause of liberty, even as it grows harder in today’s society to do so. To close with Thomas Gordon’s words, “the defense of liberty is a noble, a heavenly office.” I hope we can all strive toward this noble office, and restore liberty to where it is supposed to be.

Yours truly,

Publius