William O. Douglas: Dissent in Dennis v. United States

( 1951 ) Commentary by Anthony Santoro, Heidelberg Center of American Studies

“We then start probing men's minds for motive and purpose; they become entangled in the law not for what they did, but for what they thought; they get convicted not for what they said, but for the purpose with which they said it.” - Dennis v. United States
“Free speech has occupied an exalted position because of the high service it has given our society. Its protection is essential to the very existence of a democracy.” - Dennis v. United States

William O. Douglas (Library of Congress)

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