Certainly Birmingham had its white moderates who disapproved of Bull Connor's tactics. Certainly Birmingham had its decent white citizens who privately deplored the maltreatment of Negroes. But they remained publicly silent.

To persevere in one's duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny.

Fools multiply when wise men are silent.

If he who does not know kept silent, discord would cease.

Too often the strong, silent man is silent only because he does not know what to say, and is reputed strong only because he has remained silent.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.