Read the speech for context - http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres17.html http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres17.html - paragraphs 11-13. Yes, there exists "laws provi

Read the speech for context - http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres17.html http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres17.html - paragraphs 11-13. Yes, there exists "laws provided by the States against false and defamatory publications", but even when not enforced, the citizens saw through it, "consolatory to the friend of man who believes that he may be trusted with the control of his own affairs".