Zenger, John Peter, and the Freedom of the Press.—Noted in American history as the man who fought to a successful issue the problem of the freedom of the press in this country. Came over as a boy in the Palatine migration and was an apprentice to Bradford in Philadelphia. Established the New York “Weekly Journal,” November 5, 1733. Was arrested and imprisoned by Governor Cosby for his political criticisms; the paper containing them was publicly burned by the hangman, and the case was then thrown into the courts. Zenger was charged with being an immigrant who dared to attack the royal prerogatives and official representatives.
Arrested in 1734, he was at first denied pen, ink and paper, notwithstanding which he continued to edit the “Journal” from his prison. The grand jury refused to find a bill for libel, and proceedings were instituted by the Attorney General by information. Zenger’s defense was entrusted to Andrew Hamilton, a Quaker lawyer of marked ability, himself an immigrant from Ireland, who came from Philadelphia especially to undertake the defense.
Zenger’s case became a turning point on the great question of the truth justifying libel. Hamilton attacked the claim of the Governor, denounced the practice of information for libel, and declared that this was not the cause of a poor printer, but of liberty, which concerned every American. The triumphant result obtained by Hamilton has made his name famous in American jurisprudence. Zenger’s trial overthrew the effort of arbitrary power to suppress free speech, to control courts of justice, to rule by royal prerogative. The jury turned the judge out of court and Zenger was sustained in the right of criticising the administration, and his criticisms were declared to be true and just. Zenger therefore gained for the people the freedom of the press, and through it their rights to deliberate and act so as best to secure their rights.
Dr. William Elliot Griffis, in “The Romance of American Colonization,” comments on the case in the words: “Thus one of the greatest of all victories in behalf of law and freedom ever won on this continent was secured.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A
- Adams, President John Quincy;
on First Treaty with Prussia: [229] - Alabama, The; Confederate Cruiser: [51], [111]
- Allied Nations in War: [11]
- Alsace-Lorraine: [11]
- No Desire for French Annexation;
Linked with the German Empire;
German Character of: [12] - General Rapp Demands Independence of;
Germans Deported from: [14] - France Distrusts Her Own People in: [15]
- American Bearers of Foreign Titles: [27]
- “American Liberal, The”: [70]
- American School Children and Foreign Propaganda: [20]
- Americanization Committee of Massachusetts on;
Macaulay on George III;
King George Not Alone Responsible: [21] - George Haven Putnam’s London Address: [22]
- Owen Wister in London “Times”: [23]
- Americans Not an English People: [16]
- William Elliot Griffis Quoted: [178-179]
- Prof. Albert B. Faust: [16]
- James Russell Lowell;
Douglas Campbell: [17] - Scott Nearing: [18]
- James A. Garfield;
Charles E. Hughes: [19] - Americans Saved from Tampico Mob by German Cruiser: [19]
- Armstead, Major George;
Defender of Ft. McHenry: [20] - Astor, John Jacob;
American Pathfinder: [25] - Atherton, Gertrude;
on Experience in Germany: [188] - Atrocities, Belgian and French: [28]
- Melville E. Stone on: [29]
- Rev. J. F. Stillimans on;
London “Globe” on: [30] - London “Universe” on;
John T. McCutcheon on;
Irvin S. Cobb on;
Emily S. Hobhouse on: [31] - Rev. J. F. Matthews on: [32]
- Horace Green on;
Prof. Kellogg on;
Ernest P. Bicknell on: [33] - American Correspondents on;
Premier Asquith Denies: [34] - State Department Refuses Information on;
Church Authorities Investigate: [35] - William K. Draper Quoted;
Why Created: [36] - Same Stories Told in Civil War Period;
Post Office Department Prohibits Denial of: [37]
B
- Bancroft, George;
on Germans in American Revolution: [105] - Negotiates Memorable Agreement with Bismarck: [38]
- Refers Vancouver Boundary Dispute to German Emperor;
Advises Friendship With Germany: [39] - Baralong, English Pirate Ship: [39]
- Beck, James M.: [199]
- Becker, Alfred L., Deputy Attorney General of New York, Investigates German Propaganda;
Investigated by Senator Reed: [71] - Employed Ex-Convicts: [73]
- Becker, Prof. Carl L.;
on Composition of American People: [103] - Berger, Mrs. Frances, Victim of Mob: [67]
- Berliner, Emile, Inventor of the Microphone: [40]
- Bernstorff, German Ambassador, Quotes Col. House: [131]
- Blaine, James G., Quotes English Sentiment During Civil War: [112]
- Blockade, “Illegal, Ineffective and Indefensible”: [42]
- Blue Laws of Virginia: [184]
- Boers, The;
English Treatment of: [40] - “Bombing Maternity Hospitals”: [44]
- Brant, Indian Chief, Destroys German Settlements: [135], [175]