Garrison rejects caution to be moderate.

Early in Garrison’s  abolition life, Samuel May,  friend and mentor, expressed concern that Garrison  needs to “soften his language” and style of speaking.  Garrison says he will do so only “when the poor downtrodden  slaves tell me I am too harsh”.   “O my friend”, urged May,..”do try to moderate your indignation, and keep more cool; why you are all on fire.”    Garrison looked straight at May, and said:  “Brother May, I have need to be all on fire, for I have mountains of ice to melt.”     (Story told by Henry May, in his definitive biography, All on Fire.)