Without free speech, dumb & silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter

From The Newburgh Address (1783) by George Washington.  Useful to recall when the Mandarin Class all about us are now routinely whimpering and demanding the necessity of censoring speech to preclude, supposedly, misinformation.  

Washington's expression seems to say everything about how he would consider that argument.

Click to enlarge.

If Men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind; reason is of no use to us — the freedom of Speech may be taken away — and, dumb & silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.