William Lloyd Garrison

William Lloyd Garrison (December 12, 1805, Newburyport, Massachusetts - May 24, 1879, New York City) was a United States Abolitionist and reformer.

Quotations

• I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to 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 the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; – 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. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the dead.

:—from the Inaugural Editorial in the 1 January 1831 The Liberator http://www.sewanee.edu/faculty/Willis/Civil_War/documents/Liberator.html

Related Topics:
1 January - 1831 - The Liberator

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• "I accuse the land of my nativity of insulting the majesty of Heaven with the grossest mockery that was ever exhibited to man." http://csmonitor.com/2005/0420/p09s02-coop.html