Although Benjamin Franklin is forever associated with the stirring declaration, "Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech," the idea itself has much deeper roots. It grew from the intellectual flowering of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries known as the Enlightenment, when philosophers and political writers increasingly argued that governments derived their legitimacy from the consent of the governed and that reason, open debate, and the free exchange of ideas were essential to a just society.

Among the most influential voices was the English poet John Milton, whose 1644 work Areopagitica condemned censorship and defended the freedom to publish and debate ideas, believing that truth is strengthened—not weakened—when it is openly tested. Later, the philosopher John Locke developed the principles of natural rights, limited government, and liberty that profoundly shaped both the American and French Revolutions. These ideas were echoed and expanded by the authors of Cato's Letters, widely read in the American colonies, who warned that the first step toward tyranny is almost always the suppression of criticism and dissent.

Franklin absorbed these currents of thought as a young printer and writer. At just sixteen years of age, writing under the pseudonym Silence Dogood, he distilled this rich intellectual tradition into one of the clearest expressions of an idea that had been developing for generations.

One of a collection of tartans from the Liberty Series, this design celebrates one of the cornerstones of a free society: the ability to speak openly, to exchange ideas, and to let differing voices be heard. Throughout history, freedom of expression has often proved to be among the first liberties challenged—and one of the hardest to protect throughout each new generation.

Colours symbolize: Blue – for freedom, openness, and the boundless sky, reflecting the limitless possibilities of expression. Stone White – representing truth, clarity, and the freedom to communicate without fear. Gold – symbolizing the priceless value of free speech, a liberty worthy of protection. White – also reflecting resilience in the face of censorship and silence. Red – representing the courage to speak, resilience in the face of censorship and silence, and the sacrifices made by those who defended the right to do so. ❤️ 🤍 💙 🧡 🇺🇸