To reformers and their ilk

William Lloyd Garrison, a United States abolitionist, in the first issue of his newspaper "The Liberator" issued this manifesto:


"I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! No! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of a ravisher....but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest, I will not equivocate--I will not excuse--I will not retreat a single inch--AND I WILL BE HEARD."

I would say to the reformist this: "The house is on fire, and you people are talking about redecorating".