That is the textual content of a speech Choose Silberman delivered Sept. 2 at Dartmouth Faculty, his undergraduate alma mater.

It is a Structure Day speak. So I’ll handle one in every of as we speak’s most contentious constitutional topics—the First Modification’s safety of free speech. As I famous in a latest opinion, the First Modification’s assure of free speech is not only a authorized doctrine. It represents essentially the most basic worth in American democracy. A nationwide dedication to uninhibited political speech is a vital facet of our nation’s tradition. It’s the penumbra across the First Modification, which, by itself, solely prohibits authorities management of speech. Except all American establishments are dedicated to free political speech, I concern the pressure on the First Modification’s ensures will change into insufferable.