I have been reading some primary source material on the origins of
censorship in American history, and came across this interesting
information.

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WARNING:

THOSE WHO MAY BE OFFENDED BY REMARKS
WHICH COULD BE CONSTRUED AS EXCESSIVLY CRITICAL OF
EZRA POUND ARE ADVISED TO READ NO FURTHER.

THIS POST CONTAINS:

--CRITICISM OF JOHN ADAMS
--IMPLIED CRITICISM OF EZRA POUND
--DENUNCIATIONS OF CENSORSHIP
--ADVOCACY OF PRESS FREEDOM
--(AND OTHER MATERIAL WHICH
MIGHT BE OFFENSIVE TO PEOPLE WHO
WHO FEEL COMPELLED TO DEFEND EZRA
POUND)

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At the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia, in early July
of 1798, students burned John Adams in effigy.  The main pro-Adams newspaper
in Philadelphia (then the capital of the US) commented on the event as
follows:

"The burning of the President's effigy a Willimsburg was not the work of the
mob, nor of the inhabitants of the place in general, but of the learned,
polite, and patriotic STUDENTS OF WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE.  A precious
seminary!  I wonder who is at the head of it!  Some bitter, factious,
envious wretch ...; if not some philosopher of the infamous tribe of the
ILLMINATI.  One of the great objects of these plotting villains was to
thurst their members into all places of education in order to be enabled to
corrupt the youth.  They have succeeded at William and Mary clear enough.  I
would sooner put a child of mine under the tuition of a commmon thief than
send him amongst this rascally seditious crew---"

[Is this in some way not similar to many statements today, made about
"politically correct" educators, or "politically correct" institutions?]



The next day, at the behest of John Adams, and Federalist Senator Theodore
Sedwick, the United States Senate passed a sedition bill containing this
provision:

"That if any person shall by writing, printing, publishing, or speaking ...
create a belief that the said Legislature in enacting any law was induced
therto by motives hostile to the Constitution,  the person so offending
shall be punished by a fine, not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by
imprisonment not exceeeding two years."

Later, a similar bill was passed, making it a crime to criticize the
President in the same manner.

So why, we may wonder was Pound so enthusiastic about John Adams?  Why, we
might ask, are so many modern American historians keen to keep John Adams
reputation so unsullied, inspite of his utter betrayal of the original
principles of the American Republic?

Today, as hundreds remain in jail in Philadelphia, simply for protesting
against the plutocratic practices of the Republican party, we might well
consider the degree to which freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are
under serious threat.  Which side would Pound be on?  (Did he ever side with
ANY demonstrators who protested the rule of Mussolini?  Did he ever side
with any trade union organization which protested labor conditions in the US
or in Italy, during the era of fascism?

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ADDITIONAL CAUTIONARY REMARK:

THE ABOVE COMMENTS ARE NOT MEANT TO RESTRICT ANYONE ELSES FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION, NOR SHOULD THEY BE INTERPRETED AS AN ATTEMPT TO EXERCISE
DICTATORIAL CONTROL OVER THE EZRA POUND DISCUSSION LIST.  IF YOU HAVE READ
THIS FAR, YOU SHOULD NOT FEEL INHIBITED IN ANY WAY FROM EXPRESSING YOUR
VIEWPOINT.  NOR SHOULD YOU FEEL COMPELLED TO REPLY. YOU ARE PERFECTLY FREE
TO DO AS YOU WISH.  ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM.


Long Live Liberty!

Wei
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