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Liberty's First Crisis: Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech
"Slack engagingly reveals how the Federalist attack on the First Amendment almost brought down the Republic . . . An illuminating book of American history." --
Kirkus Reviews
, starred review
In 1798, with the United States in crisis, President John Adams and the Federalists in control of Congress passed an extreme piece of legislation that made criticism of the government and its leaders a crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time.
From a loudmouth in a bar to a firebrand politician to Benjamin Franklin's own grandson, those victimized by the 1798 Sedition Act were as varied as the country's citizenry. But Americans refused to let their freedoms be so easily they penned fiery editorials, signed petitions, and raised "liberty poles," while Vice President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison drew up the infamous Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, arguing that the Federalist government had gone one step too far. Liberty's First Crisis vividly unfolds these pivotal events in the early life of the republic, as the Founding Fathers struggled to define America off the page and preserve the freedoms they had fought so hard to create.
"A powerful and engaging narrative . . . Slack brings one of America's defining crises back to vivid life . . . This is a terrific piece of history." --Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Thomas Jefferson
In 1798, with the United States in crisis, President John Adams and the Federalists in control of Congress passed an extreme piece of legislation that made criticism of the government and its leaders a crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time.
From a loudmouth in a bar to a firebrand politician to Benjamin Franklin's own grandson, those victimized by the 1798 Sedition Act were as varied as the country's citizenry. But Americans refused to let their freedoms be so easily they penned fiery editorials, signed petitions, and raised "liberty poles," while Vice President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison drew up the infamous Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, arguing that the Federalist government had gone one step too far. Liberty's First Crisis vividly unfolds these pivotal events in the early life of the republic, as the Founding Fathers struggled to define America off the page and preserve the freedoms they had fought so hard to create.
"A powerful and engaging narrative . . . Slack brings one of America's defining crises back to vivid life . . . This is a terrific piece of history." --Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Thomas Jefferson
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 1, 2016
The First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and the press have been among the most cherished provisions in the Bill of Rights, but as Slack shows, it has been under assault almost since its inception. Once Washington completed his two terms and factions (political parties) battled for control of the White House and Congress in 1796, partisan interests trumped liberty. Under the Adams administration, the Federalists passed the Sedition Act to bar criticism of both the president and elected officials. Whether through the press or even off-hand casual remarks, Republicans of the Jeffersonian camp could be prosecuted for the most trivial offenses and received draconian treatment and sentences.
Many Federalist judges were on board with the program to suppress criticism and conducted virtual kangaroo trials to stifle dissent and verbal attacks on the Adams administration. Among those subjected to the injustices was Matthew Lyon, who would come back to haunt the Federalists in the 1800 election. When the results were deadlocked, it would be Lyon who would be instrumental in awarding the election to Jefferson and the Republicans.
John Adams is a main target of much of the author's criticism and he offers a less than flattering portrait of the thin-skinned, embittered second president. Although some later authors have tried to minimize Adams's influence in both the Alien and Sedition Acts, it shows he was indeed a key player and collaborated with various actors in retaliating against rivals. It certainly gives pause for thought about the misplaced reverence for the Founding Fathers as repositories of wisdom and benevolence.
Less than a decade into the grand experiment of forming a republican government based on Enlightenment thought and inalienable rights, the whole project was in danger of unraveling. Slack cites the brave resisters like Matthew Lyon, Thomas Cooper, and James Callender who be prosecuted for exercising those rights. Each would pay dearly for their defiance. They may have lost in the farcical trials but ultimately prevailed in public opinion as martyrs, and would aid the Republican cause.
The writing is crisp and the technical aspects of the warped legal maneuvers are handled efficiently. The concluding commentary is valuable as it shows how later attempts to encroach on freedom of speech and the press right through the post-9/11 period have been part of the ongoing struggle to define proper speech and very instructive in demonstrating how fragile those freedoms are.
An excellent treatment of an important historical topic that is accessible to readers with little background on the subject.
Many Federalist judges were on board with the program to suppress criticism and conducted virtual kangaroo trials to stifle dissent and verbal attacks on the Adams administration. Among those subjected to the injustices was Matthew Lyon, who would come back to haunt the Federalists in the 1800 election. When the results were deadlocked, it would be Lyon who would be instrumental in awarding the election to Jefferson and the Republicans.
John Adams is a main target of much of the author's criticism and he offers a less than flattering portrait of the thin-skinned, embittered second president. Although some later authors have tried to minimize Adams's influence in both the Alien and Sedition Acts, it shows he was indeed a key player and collaborated with various actors in retaliating against rivals. It certainly gives pause for thought about the misplaced reverence for the Founding Fathers as repositories of wisdom and benevolence.
Less than a decade into the grand experiment of forming a republican government based on Enlightenment thought and inalienable rights, the whole project was in danger of unraveling. Slack cites the brave resisters like Matthew Lyon, Thomas Cooper, and James Callender who be prosecuted for exercising those rights. Each would pay dearly for their defiance. They may have lost in the farcical trials but ultimately prevailed in public opinion as martyrs, and would aid the Republican cause.
The writing is crisp and the technical aspects of the warped legal maneuvers are handled efficiently. The concluding commentary is valuable as it shows how later attempts to encroach on freedom of speech and the press right through the post-9/11 period have been part of the ongoing struggle to define proper speech and very instructive in demonstrating how fragile those freedoms are.
An excellent treatment of an important historical topic that is accessible to readers with little background on the subject.
September 21, 2019
This exceptionally readable and very well researched book is well worth the read. Slack has delved deep into the history of the Alien and Sedition Acts to produce a picture of depicting the results of the passage of the Alien and Sedition AcAmendment. The profiles of the individuals prosecuted (persecuted would probably be more accurate) under the guise of protecting liberty will be familiar with the names of Benjamin Franklin Bach, James Callander, and Mathew Lyon, but this book offers the entire story of these men and the other lesser known men who were prosecuted and imprisoned for practicing the rights that had been guaranteed to them by the First Amendment.
To be fair, the concept of freedom of speech was new. Previously, it was common to be executed or imprisoned for speaking ill of the king but this was America, a place where people were supposed to be protected from rule by tyrants. Moreover, Republicans were hardly innocents when it came to targeting their opponents. Both parties genuinely believed that the other endangered the survival of the country. The difference was that Jefferson's Republicans never wrote laws that blatantly violated the Constitution. John Adam's party did and although Adams later attempted to argue that he was almost a bystander and not responsible, the facts do not bear that out. When defendants appealed to him for leniency, he refused them any mercy having been fully informed of the hardship that their convictions had caused.
Slack's use of primary sources is thorough and convincing, drawing upon personal letters, journals, and newspaper accounts to tell the story of this sad chapter in our history. Timothy Pickering, as Secretary of State and Samuel Chase as Justice of the Supreme Court, both enthusiastically and with malice presided over this witch hunt. Unfortunately, when the Republicans gained control of Congress and introduced articles of the impeachment of Chase, they approached it from a political view, rather than focusing on the horrible consequences imposed on the defendants or the unconstitutionality of the laws. Chase survived impeachment and the failure to impeach him left the impression on many that it had been simply a partisan attack.
For the reader, the final sentence of the book sums up the issue very well: "The true measure of greatness of any generation is the degree of wisdom it showed in looking beyond the moment and handing down liberty, intact, and unfettered, to the next."
To be fair, the concept of freedom of speech was new. Previously, it was common to be executed or imprisoned for speaking ill of the king but this was America, a place where people were supposed to be protected from rule by tyrants. Moreover, Republicans were hardly innocents when it came to targeting their opponents. Both parties genuinely believed that the other endangered the survival of the country. The difference was that Jefferson's Republicans never wrote laws that blatantly violated the Constitution. John Adam's party did and although Adams later attempted to argue that he was almost a bystander and not responsible, the facts do not bear that out. When defendants appealed to him for leniency, he refused them any mercy having been fully informed of the hardship that their convictions had caused.
Slack's use of primary sources is thorough and convincing, drawing upon personal letters, journals, and newspaper accounts to tell the story of this sad chapter in our history. Timothy Pickering, as Secretary of State and Samuel Chase as Justice of the Supreme Court, both enthusiastically and with malice presided over this witch hunt. Unfortunately, when the Republicans gained control of Congress and introduced articles of the impeachment of Chase, they approached it from a political view, rather than focusing on the horrible consequences imposed on the defendants or the unconstitutionality of the laws. Chase survived impeachment and the failure to impeach him left the impression on many that it had been simply a partisan attack.
For the reader, the final sentence of the book sums up the issue very well: "The true measure of greatness of any generation is the degree of wisdom it showed in looking beyond the moment and handing down liberty, intact, and unfettered, to the next."
June 4, 2021
It was just ok
It was somewhat convoluted and I never really eas able to determine what the crisis was that the title of the book referenced. The last chapter that brought the discussion to the current day was the best chapter. There were a couple quotes or statements that are very appropriate in today’s climate. “But there is one thing that cannot coexist with freedom, and that is declaring that people have a right against being offended, even being deeply offended,by someone else’s words. Such a declaration automatically transfers the right of speech from the speaker to the listener, who now enjoys the power not just to say, “I don’t like your opinion,” but “I won’t allow you to say that.” Thurgood Marshall said “History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem to extravagant to endure.” There have been some orders during this pandemic that are clearly unconstitutional. Also, there have been a number of people who have had their right of freedom of speech limited or told they couldn’t say things because the other person may be offended. That brings to mind “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it - Voltaire. I think that has been lost on the current generation.
It was somewhat convoluted and I never really eas able to determine what the crisis was that the title of the book referenced. The last chapter that brought the discussion to the current day was the best chapter. There were a couple quotes or statements that are very appropriate in today’s climate. “But there is one thing that cannot coexist with freedom, and that is declaring that people have a right against being offended, even being deeply offended,by someone else’s words. Such a declaration automatically transfers the right of speech from the speaker to the listener, who now enjoys the power not just to say, “I don’t like your opinion,” but “I won’t allow you to say that.” Thurgood Marshall said “History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem to extravagant to endure.” There have been some orders during this pandemic that are clearly unconstitutional. Also, there have been a number of people who have had their right of freedom of speech limited or told they couldn’t say things because the other person may be offended. That brings to mind “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it - Voltaire. I think that has been lost on the current generation.
January 15, 2019
One of my favorite reads in the last few years. It is a great mix of history, individuals’ actions based on cited documentation but most importantly a book that will give the reader some perspective on the origin and history of American freedom of speech and its first big trial. His closing chapter brings it home to 2012 and very much applies to what is happening in 2019.
April 18, 2022
Absolutely superb, accessible, well documented, concise history of the cases and persons most illustrative of the Federalist's (and John Adams') miserable use of the Sedition Act to try to make the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Bill of Rights (in Madison's construction) alienable privileges denied to those that would disagree with authority.
A rare "must read" American history text for absolutely everyone.
A rare "must read" American history text for absolutely everyone.
September 27, 2015
Very enlightening subject. The book is completely on the Sedition Acts passed by Federalists. A topic I usually do not delve into, merely heard in passing when reading other histories. Alarming how 200 years ago we were fighting for something we still seem to be fighting for still.
June 4, 2019
Very relevant today. We forget many of today’s challenges have been with us for a long time. Highly recommend !!!!
June 22, 2019
A fantastic read - a thorough and thoughtful examination of the Sedition Act of 1798 with a strong reminder that freedom of speech is a gift and must be protected for future generations.
June 24, 2024
“Set just a few years after the 1791 adoption of the First Amendment . . . the Federalists in the John Adams administration felt sufficiently threatened by their opposition that they passed the so-called Sedition Act of 1798, placing limits on ‘scandalous and malicious’ writings or utterances against the government. In my opinion a blatantly unconstitutional law that violated numerous clauses in the very First Amendment. I also believe the Federalists knew it was wrong as they set the law to expire upon the next election.
The writer reminds us that the free speech we too often take for granted is in constant jeopardy, most often from those who see the forced silence of opponents as a way to stop the questioning of their beliefs. This allows those in power the ability to have their way without defending their beliefs and to avoid the scrutiny of said beliefs. This book presents several healthy reminders that elected officials have always been capable of uncivilized behavior toward their colleagues .
The Federalists, who dominated most of New England as well as both houses of Congress, the John Adams presidency, and the Supreme Court, viewed themselves as the protectors of family, faith, education, and country (sound like either party today?). Yet everywhere they turned, they saw their orderly ideas under siege, rapidly devolving into something more volatile and chaotic. For this, Federalists blamed an unofficial, disparate but growing collection of citizens referring to themselves as Republicans, or Democrats, or Democratic-Republicans.
On the front lines of the vocal opposition was Congressman Matthew Lyons. A native of Ireland, Lyon had schemed and brawled his way from indentured servitude to the upper layers of business and politics in his adopted country. Everything about his life was out sized: his ambition, his intelligence, his enemies, and his flaws. He never let an insult pass without returning it two fold. Put simply, Matthew Lyon couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was this quality above all others that resulted in his greatest, albeit unintentional, contribution to the American experiment. His belligerence in the face of Federalist power would help push the United States into a constitutional crisis, forcing citizens and law makers alike to answer some questions. Did they truly mean what they had said, that Congress shall make no law abridging free speech, or freedom of the press? Violation of the Sedition Act put the Congressman in jail. To the Federalists chagrin his constituency voted him back into office. Lyon was also a Revolutionary War veteran and his imprisonment showed the masses a dark side of the new government where representatives could trample freedoms just like a King (as Francis Marion had said years before in South Carolina).
The writer reviews six cases brought in direct violation of the First Amendment and their prosecution under the Sedition Act of 1798. His message, or 'moral' is clear and poignant and delivered without political bias.
Matthew Lyon - Irish immigrant, and elected member of the US House of Representatives; David Brown a "drifter", whose case was presided over by a Supreme Court Justice; Benjamin Franklin Bache, grandson of the Founder and publisher of the newspaper "Aurora" destroyed for dissent; James Thompson Callender, a Scottish immigrant and editor of politically incendiary diatribes, driven to a watery death; Luther Baldwin a workingman of Trenton, NJ who one morning joked, "I don't care if they're firing through his arse." in reference to a cannon blast of honor for John Adams and was jailed; Thomas Cooper an intellectual, firebrand and later in life professor described by Adams as, "a learned ingenious scientific and talented madcap", are the protagonists, and victims.
Each of these cases is characterized by the politically vengeful nature of the law's application, the petty animosity of its prosecution and the senseless pain it caused to the accused. This book was engrossing in presenting the cases and the thoughts of "party movers and shakers" on each side of the law. Most people have heard of the "Alien & Sedition Acts" if they paid attention in US History in school however they don't know the details that are covered in this book. It is well worth a read.
The writer reminds us that the free speech we too often take for granted is in constant jeopardy, most often from those who see the forced silence of opponents as a way to stop the questioning of their beliefs. This allows those in power the ability to have their way without defending their beliefs and to avoid the scrutiny of said beliefs. This book presents several healthy reminders that elected officials have always been capable of uncivilized behavior toward their colleagues .
The Federalists, who dominated most of New England as well as both houses of Congress, the John Adams presidency, and the Supreme Court, viewed themselves as the protectors of family, faith, education, and country (sound like either party today?). Yet everywhere they turned, they saw their orderly ideas under siege, rapidly devolving into something more volatile and chaotic. For this, Federalists blamed an unofficial, disparate but growing collection of citizens referring to themselves as Republicans, or Democrats, or Democratic-Republicans.
On the front lines of the vocal opposition was Congressman Matthew Lyons. A native of Ireland, Lyon had schemed and brawled his way from indentured servitude to the upper layers of business and politics in his adopted country. Everything about his life was out sized: his ambition, his intelligence, his enemies, and his flaws. He never let an insult pass without returning it two fold. Put simply, Matthew Lyon couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was this quality above all others that resulted in his greatest, albeit unintentional, contribution to the American experiment. His belligerence in the face of Federalist power would help push the United States into a constitutional crisis, forcing citizens and law makers alike to answer some questions. Did they truly mean what they had said, that Congress shall make no law abridging free speech, or freedom of the press? Violation of the Sedition Act put the Congressman in jail. To the Federalists chagrin his constituency voted him back into office. Lyon was also a Revolutionary War veteran and his imprisonment showed the masses a dark side of the new government where representatives could trample freedoms just like a King (as Francis Marion had said years before in South Carolina).
The writer reviews six cases brought in direct violation of the First Amendment and their prosecution under the Sedition Act of 1798. His message, or 'moral' is clear and poignant and delivered without political bias.
Matthew Lyon - Irish immigrant, and elected member of the US House of Representatives; David Brown a "drifter", whose case was presided over by a Supreme Court Justice; Benjamin Franklin Bache, grandson of the Founder and publisher of the newspaper "Aurora" destroyed for dissent; James Thompson Callender, a Scottish immigrant and editor of politically incendiary diatribes, driven to a watery death; Luther Baldwin a workingman of Trenton, NJ who one morning joked, "I don't care if they're firing through his arse." in reference to a cannon blast of honor for John Adams and was jailed; Thomas Cooper an intellectual, firebrand and later in life professor described by Adams as, "a learned ingenious scientific and talented madcap", are the protagonists, and victims.
Each of these cases is characterized by the politically vengeful nature of the law's application, the petty animosity of its prosecution and the senseless pain it caused to the accused. This book was engrossing in presenting the cases and the thoughts of "party movers and shakers" on each side of the law. Most people have heard of the "Alien & Sedition Acts" if they paid attention in US History in school however they don't know the details that are covered in this book. It is well worth a read.
October 5, 2019
Slack successfully takes what could be a dry academic subject and crafts an engaging, readable book about the Sedition Act of 1798. That Act, which was a substantial restriction on the First Amendment's freedom of speech, was promoted by Federalists as the only way to preserve trust in the government and the elected leaders in a time when the threat of war with France loomed large. However, it takes only a brief examination of the law to see the brazen political motivations driving it -- not the least of which was to keep John Adams and his Federalists in power.
Slack walks the reader through the legislative process of how the bill became a law, and highlights some of the colorful politicians involved in that process and their stories. Once John Adams signs the Sedition Act, a zealous Secretary of State (Timothy Pickering) promptly begins pushing politicians and Attorneys General to enforce the Act against outspoken Republican journalists as well as a few undistinguished citizens. Slack recounts their stories, including one about an inconsequential drunk man who made a rude comment about Adams and was eventually thrown in jail for it.
This book should be required reading for anyone who has thought the First Amendment is interpreted too broadly or liberally. It shows -- in a thoughtful and logical yet accessible manner -- that freedom of speech is fundamental to how the United States operates, and that freedom should always take precedence over feelings. In fact, the most important speech to protect is often the speech that inflicts harm, not because harm is good, but because the protection of all speech (including that which is harmful or offensive) is essential.
5 stars out of 5
Slack walks the reader through the legislative process of how the bill became a law, and highlights some of the colorful politicians involved in that process and their stories. Once John Adams signs the Sedition Act, a zealous Secretary of State (Timothy Pickering) promptly begins pushing politicians and Attorneys General to enforce the Act against outspoken Republican journalists as well as a few undistinguished citizens. Slack recounts their stories, including one about an inconsequential drunk man who made a rude comment about Adams and was eventually thrown in jail for it.
This book should be required reading for anyone who has thought the First Amendment is interpreted too broadly or liberally. It shows -- in a thoughtful and logical yet accessible manner -- that freedom of speech is fundamental to how the United States operates, and that freedom should always take precedence over feelings. In fact, the most important speech to protect is often the speech that inflicts harm, not because harm is good, but because the protection of all speech (including that which is harmful or offensive) is essential.
5 stars out of 5
April 4, 2020
Terrific book. Political rancor and calls to shut down political opposition are nothing new. In a day when things not deemed "politically correct" are in danger of being entirely suppressed, it is a good warning that our liberty rests on the free expression of ideas. We have the right to express ourselves. We do not have the right to have people hear or heed what we say. We do not have the right to not be offended. Students shouting down speakers on campus, politicians and pundits complaining about the dangers of too much free speech: these fly in the face of freedom. Particularly is this important in the realms of political speech, philosophical speech, and religious speech. Favorite quotations:
Thomas Jefferson: "'Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be rested wit the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.'"
"But there is one thing that cannot coexist with freedom, and that is declaring that people have a right against being offended, even deeply offended by someone else's words. Such a declaration automatically transfers the right of speech from the speaker to the listener, who now enjoys the power not just to say, 'I don't like your opinion,' but 'I won't allow you to say that.'"
And Slack's final words: "The true measure of greatness of any generation is the degree of wisdom it showed in looking beyond the moment and handing down liberty, intact and unfettered, to the next."
Thomas Jefferson: "'Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be rested wit the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.'"
"But there is one thing that cannot coexist with freedom, and that is declaring that people have a right against being offended, even deeply offended by someone else's words. Such a declaration automatically transfers the right of speech from the speaker to the listener, who now enjoys the power not just to say, 'I don't like your opinion,' but 'I won't allow you to say that.'"
And Slack's final words: "The true measure of greatness of any generation is the degree of wisdom it showed in looking beyond the moment and handing down liberty, intact and unfettered, to the next."
October 31, 2019
This was a very nice volume that explored the Sedition and Alien Acts of 1798 and the surrounding time period. While I had heard of this episode, the book really brings out the thinking of the time. While some may find the focus on non-Founding-Fathers less interesting, I thought it made the book into a fascinating look back at the time. We learn of the travails of Matthew Lyon, Benjamin Franklin Bache, James Callender, and others who were tried under the Sedition Act for what we would certainly today consider to be strongly worded opinions. The book still explains the roles of the bigger names such as John Adams, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson while really helping you understand what the Federalists feared and what the "Republicans" (loosely, the party that Thomas Jefferson was a part of) feared.
Slack comes at this with the viewpoint of strong Free Speech rights. The last chapter gives arguments for having strong free speech rights like the US does, rather than the more restrictive ones seen in most other western countries (that often carve out exceptions for offensive speech towards specified groups). Whether you agree with him or not, his arguments are cogent, and deserve to be thought about. Thinking about what balances there are between the rights we enjoy and how carefully we should tread when changing this balance is always sage advice.
Slack comes at this with the viewpoint of strong Free Speech rights. The last chapter gives arguments for having strong free speech rights like the US does, rather than the more restrictive ones seen in most other western countries (that often carve out exceptions for offensive speech towards specified groups). Whether you agree with him or not, his arguments are cogent, and deserve to be thought about. Thinking about what balances there are between the rights we enjoy and how carefully we should tread when changing this balance is always sage advice.
August 2, 2017
On January 30, 1798, Matthew Lyon, an Irish-born congressman from Vermont, spit tobacco at a fellow representative, Roger Griswold of Connecticut. Just over two weeks later, Griswold retaliated by beating Lyon with a wooden cane. Forced to defend himself, Lyon grabbed the iron fire tongs and full-on scrap took place.
Indicative of the much larger conflict brewing between Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, the the Lyon-Griswold brawl does more than show just how divided our government has always been; it sets the stage for the larger debate what kind of country America is and ought to be.
Lyon also has another claim to fame: he’s the only congressman ever elected to office while in jail. His crime? Making fun of the president.
In David McCullough’s behemoth of a biography on John Adams, Matthew Lyon gets a few scant sentences, the larger Republican-Federalist feud takes up several chapters, but curiously, the Sedition Act, that makes up the majority of Slack’s book, is pushed to the periphery. This book offers some nice perspective and shows how Adams can’t be exculpated in one of the worst laws in American history.
The last chapter adds some good final thoughts about how the freedom of speech is still a right worth fighting for.
Indicative of the much larger conflict brewing between Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, the the Lyon-Griswold brawl does more than show just how divided our government has always been; it sets the stage for the larger debate what kind of country America is and ought to be.
Lyon also has another claim to fame: he’s the only congressman ever elected to office while in jail. His crime? Making fun of the president.
In David McCullough’s behemoth of a biography on John Adams, Matthew Lyon gets a few scant sentences, the larger Republican-Federalist feud takes up several chapters, but curiously, the Sedition Act, that makes up the majority of Slack’s book, is pushed to the periphery. This book offers some nice perspective and shows how Adams can’t be exculpated in one of the worst laws in American history.
The last chapter adds some good final thoughts about how the freedom of speech is still a right worth fighting for.
January 25, 2018
Great snippets from the early days of U.S. government and effect of the Sedition Act. The book follows the stories of some of the anti-federalists that were prosecuted under the Alien & Sedition Acts and the role of a free (and ferocious) press that responded to it.
Madison's concerns about the overreach of government powers (which he wrote about in the Federalist Papers) came true under the Adam's administration. His quote (below) so eloquently worries about the 'parchment barriers' that are the only protection against encroachment of government power.
"Will it be sufficient to mark, with precision, the boundaries of these departments, in the constitution of the government, and to trust to these parchment barriers against the encroaching spirit of power? This is the security which appears to have been principally relied on by the compilers of most of the American constitutions. But experience assures us, that the efficacy of the provision has been greatly overrated; and that some more adequate defence is indispensably necessary for the more feeble, against the more powerful members of the government. The legislative department is every where extending the sphere of its activity, and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex." - James Madison
Madison's concerns about the overreach of government powers (which he wrote about in the Federalist Papers) came true under the Adam's administration. His quote (below) so eloquently worries about the 'parchment barriers' that are the only protection against encroachment of government power.
"Will it be sufficient to mark, with precision, the boundaries of these departments, in the constitution of the government, and to trust to these parchment barriers against the encroaching spirit of power? This is the security which appears to have been principally relied on by the compilers of most of the American constitutions. But experience assures us, that the efficacy of the provision has been greatly overrated; and that some more adequate defence is indispensably necessary for the more feeble, against the more powerful members of the government. The legislative department is every where extending the sphere of its activity, and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex." - James Madison
March 4, 2020
Excellent Book, and All Too Timely
This is an exceptionally readable book about the origins of American political parties, the tight rope of opinion and disagreement about the limitations of governmental control of dissent, and the development of political consciousness among the people at large as brought about by a perceived attack on their newly established constitutional liberties. The author skillfully lays out the precarious position of the United States at the turn of the 18th century caught as it was between the waring powers of France and England abroad and internal, factional strife at home. The passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended to stifle dissent, served instead to polarize opposition (and votes) against the autocratic pretensions of the Federalists.
In a final brief and valuable survey the author skims over the present international status of American First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and of the press, pointing out continuing efforts to define where control in favour of public and individual protection must be limited by respect for the right to dissent.
This is an exceptionally readable book about the origins of American political parties, the tight rope of opinion and disagreement about the limitations of governmental control of dissent, and the development of political consciousness among the people at large as brought about by a perceived attack on their newly established constitutional liberties. The author skillfully lays out the precarious position of the United States at the turn of the 18th century caught as it was between the waring powers of France and England abroad and internal, factional strife at home. The passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended to stifle dissent, served instead to polarize opposition (and votes) against the autocratic pretensions of the Federalists.
In a final brief and valuable survey the author skims over the present international status of American First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and of the press, pointing out continuing efforts to define where control in favour of public and individual protection must be limited by respect for the right to dissent.
December 19, 2024
Liberty's First Crisis: John Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech is a fascinating look into the Sedition Act of 1798, when the third U.S. President, John Adams had to walk a tight wire between war with France, war with England, and war on the Constitution. The headline stories in current news outlets look almost identical to the headline stories of 1799 and 1800. The 1st Amendment to the Constitution was challenged with the Sedition Act of 1798. Federalist elites wanted to control the press and prosecuted several Republicans with a blatantly unconstitutional law censoring the press. The law remained in effect until Adam's term of office ended, and then expired. What was witnessed by the nation was a damning verdict on government overreach of the Constitution. Due to the arrogance of the the Federalist elites, the Federalist party died not long after Adams left office. Adams succeeded in preventing war with France and England, but his support of the Sedition Act cost him a second term as president. Let us honor our inspired Constitution, and always protect and defend our God-given Rights.
August 16, 2021
This is a well-reasoned and well-written book. It illuminates in stark relief just how tenuous our country's understanding was of the right of free speech in the first decade after our Constitution and Bill of Rights were in effect. It also highlights the deep-seated philosophical differences on the subject between the Federalists and Republicans (not to be confused with today's party of that name). The Federalist party under President John Adams passed a Sedition Act and then set about to prosecute members of the Republican press and Republican private citizens for criticizing Adams' actions as President. The results were disasterous. Several persons were convicted of Sedition and then imprisoned and fined leading to severe hardship and even death of family members. Slack carefully describes the process of these cases, the effect of same on the defendants and their families, and ultimately on the concept of free speech.
This book is a must-read for students of American political history. I highly recommend it.
This book is a must-read for students of American political history. I highly recommend it.
December 19, 2024
Often when an author carves out a smaller piece of history and really drills down on it you get a great history book. That is the case here. The small part of history is the Alien and Sedition Act passed around the time of John Adam's presidency (second president of the US, but I know you knew that). The book follows those who endorsed the law and those who resisted it which turns out to be very entertaining. The book often reads more like a fiction novel which is in no way a bad thing. It also sharply focuses attention on the fact that politics in our country have always been dirty and, oftentimes, lacking in honor. It is easy to mythologize the Founding Father's but the truth is they often played "dirty pool" in pursuit of power....sound familiar? The book concludes with a thoughtful analysis of how freedom of speech is handled in other countries and why it is important that the US continue to ensure such freedom to continue to ensure liberty itself. Great book!
September 9, 2018
This is an excellent and timely book. It shows the assaults on free speech that occurred on in 1798 under John Adams, then again in 1918 Woodrow Wilson. Today we see the same thing occurring in our universities and public forums where "feelings" are more important than rights. This happens when the side that seeks to restrict the rights are scared and do not have the moral fortitude nor the intellectual capacity to make a case for what they believe in. Like arch-conservatives in President Adams party, the Liberal Left of today believe in the freedom of speech only when it supports their point of view. Mr. Slack does an very good job of pointing this out with his book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or the Freedom of Speech.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or the Freedom of Speech.
August 16, 2017
Charles Slack's "Liberty's First Crisis" provides an excellent recreation of the extremely hostile, politically-charged events that occurred during the late 1700s. Slack uses a variety of characters, not focusing on a single person. This book introduced me to many new heroes I had never heard of such as Matthew Lyon and Benjamin Franklin Bache. This book is a great reminder of how important freedom of speech and of the press is, as well as how lucky Americans are to experience such liberties. the only part of the book I disliked was the end. I do not think it fit in well with the rest of the book. Overall, however, this book gave me a renewed sense of gratitude for my first amendment rights. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great history read.
January 30, 2024
What an interesting read. Didn't know that free speech has been fought over, pretty much, since the beginning. Slack provides a thorough study of the fight for free speech. Not taking a side persay, rather, siding with freedom for all. I enjoyed the stories of Matthew Lyon serving for his opinions, and the disputes of the Ames brothers. Everything was well researched and provided a scope of the political landscape of the time.
We live in similar times where certain sides want to silence you because your opinion becomes dangerous to their opinion. They take away your freedom so they can enjoy theirs yet their narrative remains. If anything, this book should remind us of what's at stake and we must fight to keep these freedoms alive. Much respect to those who do.
We live in similar times where certain sides want to silence you because your opinion becomes dangerous to their opinion. They take away your freedom so they can enjoy theirs yet their narrative remains. If anything, this book should remind us of what's at stake and we must fight to keep these freedoms alive. Much respect to those who do.
January 13, 2026
An incredible book. It is a well written examination of the first assault on freedom of speech in the United States, the 1798 Sedition Act. Slack describes the motivation of the Federalist Congress in passing the law in an attempt to silence the critics of President John Adams and the Federalist party. He goes into some detail about the prosecutions under the Act, noting that the Jeffersonian Republicans were routinely prosecuted while Federalist critics of the president, such as Alexander Hamilton, were left alone though their actions were not markedly different.
This book is a good reminder of the importance of defending the basis rights guaranteed Americans by the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
This book is a good reminder of the importance of defending the basis rights guaranteed Americans by the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
July 15, 2018
What a great story! Slack offers a wonderful story about what I believe to be one of the most important things to have happened in American History. The way Slack brought the details of the characters and the zeitgeist of the times together gives one a comprehensive look at what was going on, and shows well how closely it relates to today's world. The book let me identify personally with the freedom fighters of the time, as I would have been right beside them to stir up trouble and protect my freedom. Highly recommended as a non-fiction book, written in such a storybook way as to keep the reader entertained.
August 9, 2021
EXCELLENT
Although academically trained as an historian, I’m the first to admit that my knowledge of American history is abysmal and so I have been working my way through materials on the founding fathers to help correct that to some degree. This volume was a amazing glimpse into just how fragile our early republic was and how the fight to establish the freedom we have too often come to take for granted rests on the shoulders of giants and average citizens alike. May we be smart enough to learn the lessons of history so eloquently described in these pages. A VERY important volume on the true meaning of free speech.
Although academically trained as an historian, I’m the first to admit that my knowledge of American history is abysmal and so I have been working my way through materials on the founding fathers to help correct that to some degree. This volume was a amazing glimpse into just how fragile our early republic was and how the fight to establish the freedom we have too often come to take for granted rests on the shoulders of giants and average citizens alike. May we be smart enough to learn the lessons of history so eloquently described in these pages. A VERY important volume on the true meaning of free speech.
January 19, 2023
Liberty’s First Crisis is another one of the wonderful, recent books in the history genre that makes one realize how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful country, how amazing that it ever made it, and how nothing really changes. If you read this book for no other reason, read it to learn about immigration in general and Matthew Lyon in particular. Read it to understand the importance of journalism, how they are failing us, and how close we are to living the Sedition Act yet again. Charles Slack put a wonderful collection of facts into an entertaining (yes, that’s right) history book with all sorts of lessons for today. (Benjamin Rush was mentioned!)
November 26, 2019
One of the best books I have read in years. A well-written and balanced analysis of facts concerning the United States’ first major confrontation between political ideologies over the meaning of free speech. The results of that battle resonate today and are increasingly subject to revision as the divide between liberals and conservatives has become more pronounced with the advent of social media and Internet-based communications. This book should be included in the curriculum of high schools and colleges everywhere.
February 7, 2021
“The greatest enemy of liberty is fear.”
Admittedly, I was skeptical of this book but WOW I was so impressed with the writing and the personality of it. I felt like I got to know the players in the Sedition Act personally and really loved the author’s ability to bring them to life.
Overall, the book is a little slow between diving into the players’ stories but it’s worth it to read about American icons.
I loved the ending, and find that the topic of free speech is more relevant now than ever.
A must read for any American history fan.
Admittedly, I was skeptical of this book but WOW I was so impressed with the writing and the personality of it. I felt like I got to know the players in the Sedition Act personally and really loved the author’s ability to bring them to life.
Overall, the book is a little slow between diving into the players’ stories but it’s worth it to read about American icons.
I loved the ending, and find that the topic of free speech is more relevant now than ever.
A must read for any American history fan.
May 4, 2021
A tumultuous time in American history in the decade following the ratification of the Constitution. The key issue was just how far freedom of speech could go, particularly criticism of the U.S. Government.
The more you know of American history, the more you see the never-ending crises that help clarify what it means to be an American as this nation continues to define itself on the basis of ideals.
The more you know of American history, the more you see the never-ending crises that help clarify what it means to be an American as this nation continues to define itself on the basis of ideals.
September 17, 2021
Truly Nothing New Under the Sun
Slack's somewhat discursive account of the Sedition Act, its origins, enforcement, and aftermath, could have been ripped from the headlines of the last five years...or nearly every presidency since Adams pere. Which is the point, of course. Democracy is hard, y'all, and freedom to disagree disagreeably might be the hardest part.
That said, the closing remarks read as the slickest indictment of "wokeness" I've seen in a long time.
Slack's somewhat discursive account of the Sedition Act, its origins, enforcement, and aftermath, could have been ripped from the headlines of the last five years...or nearly every presidency since Adams pere. Which is the point, of course. Democracy is hard, y'all, and freedom to disagree disagreeably might be the hardest part.
That said, the closing remarks read as the slickest indictment of "wokeness" I've seen in a long time.
April 24, 2025
Everyone should read this book right now. This is the story of America's original struggle with free speech in the face of trying to govern--except we were doing it for the very first time. And we did not get everything right. The Sedition Act was a horrible piece of legislative cowardice then and is manifesting itself in all sorts of different ways now as protests and protesters are being vilified, prosecuted, jailed and deported for exercising a right guaranteed by the government.
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