Martin Delany's Writings in 'The North Star' (original) (raw)
NOTE:"The North Star" is available on microfilm at the Schomburg Collection in New York City.
ON LIBERIAN HYPOCRISY
". . .Liberia in its present state as having thwarted the design of the original schemers, the slaveholding founders, which evidently was intended, as they frequently proclaimed it, as a receptacle for the freed colored people and superannuated slaves of America; but we view it in the light of a source of subsequent enterprise, which no colored American should permit himself to lose sight of. (On Judge Benedict, head of the new country's judicial system:) a person of no force of character or fixed moral principles. The better feelings of our nature recoil at the idea of the toleration of such a wretch in any capacity wherein pends the responsibility of our destiny, or hope of elevation."
"The North Star" 3/3/1849 (as quoted in Ullman, pp. 100+1)
Pres. J. Roberts
ON LIBERIAN PRESIDENT JOHN JENKINS ROBERTS
"A man whom the Colonizationists and shareholders in the United States extolled to the skies. . . Like a slave, cap in hand, obediant to the commands of the dons who employ them, bidden on an errand of his master, President Roberts no sooner concludes the business of his mission, a knowledge and official account of which was alone due to his own government, but he writes to A. G. Phelps, a Colonizationist of the United States, giving him an official report of his proceedings as the Minister of Liberia, an independent nation.
If ever the curse of slavery were manifest in the character of man, it has fully exhibited itself in this man Roberts. . . Here, faithful to the trust reposed in him by his American white masters, this man Roberts discards the people whom he feigns to represent, considering it a condescension to do so, spurns at the idea of reporting to them the results of his mission, but as a serf to his lord, considers it an honor and special privilege to submit his doings first to a white man, hence, that malignant libeller (sic) of our race, A. G. Phelps was selected and reported to, over the heads of his country and his people."
"The North Star," 3/3/1849 (as quoted in Ullman, pp. 100+1)
