A benevolent dictator is still a dictator, no matter the motives.  Whether or not he arises “for a good cause” or not, does not make the result any better.  A slave with a benevolent master is still a slave.  A slave for a “good cause” is still a slave.

No one would argue that the slaves were “extreme” demanding freedom, but even if they were, as Goldwater said, extremism in the defense of liberty is … no vice, moderation in the defense of liberty is no virtue.   Any minority – whether of skin color, sexual preference, gender or wealth – at the whim of a ruthless majority is not safe.  Unfettered democracy is a democratic totalitarian state.  The United States Constitution prevented that with strict limits on Federal power.  The power-hungry have been eroding that barrier for more than a century.