Skip to content
Shawords

Quote#World

To deny to the people the right of discussion, because upon some…

Quote byCharles James Fox · 1749–1806

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Speech in the House of Commons (17 May 1794), quoted in The Speeches of the Right Honourable Charles James Fox, in the House of Commons. Vol. V (1815), p. 289.

English (original)

To deny to the people the right of discussion, because upon some occasions, that right had been exercised by indiscreet or bad men, was what he could not subscribe to. The right of popular discussion was a salutary and an essential privilege of the subject. He would not answer long for the conduct of parliament, if it were not subject to the jealousy of the people.

— Charles James Fox

More from Charles James Fox