Jefferson, the third president of the United States, once received the German scientist Baron in the White House. The baron saw a newspaper in the president's study filled with scurrilous abuse of him.
"Why are these libels allowed?" exclaimed the baron, picking up the paper. "Why is not this libelous journal suppressed, or its editor, at least, fined and imprisoned?"
"Put that paper in your pocket, Baron," said Jefferson, smiling, "and should you hear the reality of our liberty, the freedom of the press questioned, show them this paper, and tell them where you found it."