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  Patriot's Corner · The Development of Democracy & Freedom in America · Liberty in Hearts of Men & Women, 1944, Judge Learned Hand
 
 
Liberty in Hearts of Men & Women
Judge Learned Hand
May 21, 1944
   
 

This speech was delivered by Judge Hand, often called the "tenth justice of the Supreme Court", in Central Park , NYC.

Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it. What then is the spirit of liberty? I cannot define it; I can only tell you my own faith. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right. In the spirit of that America for which our young men are at this moment fighting and dying; in that spirit of liberty and of America I ask you to rise and with me pledge our faith in the glorious destiny of our beloved country.

   
 
 
     

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©2005 George A. Scheele MD