He wants to contrast two mistaken routes toward the free society. Morgan's mistake is to try revolution from above. Instead of changing minds, he seizes the reins of power. At the same time, Twain wants to discredit traditionalism, with its apologies for what is blatantly unjustified. Strict adherence to tradition is no less fearful than the benevolent despot.
Many traditions promote needless harm and guilt, and support authoritaria rule.
Both routes could easily lead us away from a free society. A genuinely liberal route to a free society would have to be at once decentralized and experimental. Yet uncritical celebration of tradition and hostility toward wildly new ideas is equally mistaken.