Gradualists fail to distinguish between principle and practice. Whenever anyone urges the gradual repeal of laws he believes to be wrong, he has lost the thought and force behind the case for repeal. Gradualism has yet another flaw. It's like saying that we should bring the thief slowly to justice else the baker and the haberdasher will lose the malefactor's trade too suddenly. Any exemplar must be prepared for disfavor and unpopularity, simply because his principled positions are and of necessity must be an affront to the mores, a break with the prevailing wrongs.
Freedom appears to be submerged in a sea of buts.
It is entirely realistic to expect these buts from persons who do no thinking for themselves. To do so is commonplace, not exemplary. Copyright 1970 by Leonard E. Read. Reprinted by permission. To subscribe to the print version of Freedom Daily Click Here .