Question

A quotation from M. Lipson, From Generation to Generation, vol. 1, siman 172.
Rabbi Israel Salanter:
If I had lived in the generation of the Hatam Sofer, I would not have acted as he did, placing the reformers under a ban and excluding them from the Jewish people.
I would first have attached myself to Geiger, gone around with him, and shown him his error.
If I defeated him, all the better; if I did not defeat him, I would present myself as agreeing with him.
You want, my brother, a reformed synagogue? Come, let us build a reformed synagogue together. In that synagogue I would seat ten Torah scholars, who would engage in Torah study, and in the end that synagogue would become a study hall.
I am very impressed by Rabbi Israel’s openness and his ability to be so inclusive toward Reform.
 
What does the Rabbi think about this?
Was Rabbi Israel right, or did he go too far?
And if the Rabbi thinks Rabbi Israel was right in his time, is it also proper today to think in more practical directions?
[Especially since today it turns out that they are very helpful in stopping and reducing the phenomenon of assimilation and disconnection from the Jewish people, and in Rabbi Israel’s time that was not even on the agenda…]