I don't get why freedom of the press was acceptable and yet freedom of speech wasn't. Aren't they essentially the same thing? And even in that time, wasn't it easier to disseminate information through printing (making freedom of the press more dangerous than freedom of speech)?
edit: I am referring to the states of the United States of America
Could you clarify, do you mean "state" as in states of the USA (e.g. California), nation states (e.g. France), or other? Thanks!