Sentence:  But these <WSD>paradoxists</WSD> and grumblers were a quite infinitesimal minority. The common sense and sound instinct of Britain and of the Empire realised that here was an issue like scarcely another in history — a clear issue of right and wrong... 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  One who holds incorrect or eccentric beliefs; a bad scientist; a crank.