What is the liberty of the press? Who can give it any definition which would not leave the utmost latitude for evasion? I hold it to be impracticable; and from this, I infer, that its security, whatever fine declarations may be inserted in any constitution respecting it, must altogether depend on public opinion, and on the general spirit of the people and of the government. And here, after all, as intimated upon another occasion, must we seek for the only solid basis of all our rights.
-Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 84
With which of the following statements would the author agree?
(1 point)
• The protection of the people's rights and liberty is directly related to civic virtue.
• Civic virtue is not important to the protection of rights and liberties.
• Rights and liberties are dependent upon their listing in a constitution or bill of rights.
• Rights and liberties cannot be protected because they cannot be defined.
1 answer
The author would agree with the statement:
• The protection of the people's rights and liberty is directly related to civic virtue.
This is inferred from Hamilton's emphasis on the importance of public opinion and the general spirit of the people and government in securing rights and liberties, which aligns with the concept of civic virtue.
