One of the fearless men in the effort to overcome slavery was William Lloyd Garrison. On a trip to the south he saw for the first time Africans being auctioned off. Families torn apart, children separated and he saw the fresh wounds from merciless beatings. This changed him forever and he became a crusader for freedom. He ran a newspaper and began working for abolition. He was threatened, thrown in jail and suffered much for his stance. The following are his words in response to those who cautioned him to take a more moderate stance.

"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 the subject of slavery, 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 rescue 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!"