James Madison, Princeton class of 1771, is often called “the father of the Bill of Rights,” the keystone of which is today’s First Amendment, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press and religion. But it’s interesting to see how his followers and the political party he founded reacted when the press and the people criticized Madison’s policies.

On June 20, 1812, the Federal-Republican, a Baltimore newspaper run by 26-year-old Alexander Hanson, hit the streets.