MARTIN DELANY

The claims of no people, according to established policy and usage, are respected by any nation, until they are presented in a national capacity.

The Constitution of the United States is a pro slavery instrument, and no consistent anti slavery person should either vote or hold office under it

The rights of no oppressed people have ever yet been obtained by a voluntary act of justice on the part of the oppressors.

I am not in favor of caste, nor separation of the brotherhood of mankind, and would as willingly live among white men as Black, if I had equal possession and enjoyment of privileges, but I shall never be reconciled living among them subservient to their will.

A serpent is a serpent, and none the less a viper, because it is nestled in the bosom of an honest-hearted man.

I want to tell you one thing. Do you know that if it was not for the Black man this war never would have been brought to a close with success to the Union, and the liberty to your race? I want you to understand that. Do you know it? Do you know it?...

In this state there are 200 thousand able intelligent, honorable negroes, not an inferior race, mind you, who are ready to protect their liberty. The matter is in your own hands.

Every people should be originators of their own destiny.

Will President Polk accept one or more regiments of colored soldiers for the great Southern War? Surely, according to Southern doctrine, they are the only persons adapted to that climate? We should like to have an answer from some of the President's friends, we care not of what politics.

Gen. Taylor, of Florida war, Indian murder, bloodhound and Mexican slaughter notoriety…. The extent to which the American people carry this glorification of military crusades, is beyond a parallel, except in the days of the Roman extravaganza, which was but a foreboding of the end of her glory and speedy downfall of that haughty, insolvent empire and commonwealth.

If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr.

Every people should be originators of their own destiny.

The claims of no people, according to established policy and usage, are respected by any nation, until they are presented in a national capacity.

I want to tell you one thing. Do you know that if it was not for the Black man this war never would have been brought to a close with success to the Union, and the liberty to your race? I want you to understand that. Do you know it? Do you know it?...

I tell you slavery is over, and shall never return again. We have now 200,000 of our men well drilled in arms and used to warfare, and I tell you it is with you and them that slavery shall not come back again, and if you are determined it will not return again.

In this state there are 200 thousand able intelligent, honorable negroes, not an inferior race, mind you, who are ready to protect their liberty. The matter is in your own hands.

The Constitution of the United States is a pro slavery instrument, and no consistent anti slavery person should either vote or hold office under it

Gen. Taylor, of Florida war, Indian murder, bloodhound and Mexican slaughter notoriety…. The extent to which the American people carry this glorification of military crusades, is beyond a parallel, except in the days of the Roman extravaganza, which was but a foreboding of the end of her glory and speedy downfall of that haughty, insolvent empire and commonwealth.

Will President Polk accept one or more regiments of colored soldiers for the great Southern War? Surely, according to Southern doctrine, they are the only persons adapted to that climate? We should like to have an answer from some of the President's friends, we care not of what politics.

Our elevation must be the result of self-efforts and work of our own hands. No other human power can accomplish it.... Let our young men and young women prepare themselves for usefulness and business; that the men may enter into merchandise, trading, and other things of importance; the young women may become teachers of various kinds, and otherwise fill places of usefulness. Parents must turn their attention more to the education of their children.

We must make an issue, create an event, and establish a national position for ourselves: and never may expect to be respected as men and women, until we have undertaken some fearless, bold, and adventurous deeds of daring . . .

The rights of no oppressed people have ever yet been obtained by a voluntary act of justice on the part of the oppressors.

I am not in favor of caste, nor separation of the brotherhood of mankind, and would as willingly live among white men as Black, if I had equal possession and enjoyment of privileges, but I shall never be reconciled living among them subservient to their will.

A serpent is a serpent, and none the less a viper, because it is nestled in the bosom of an honest-hearted man.

Let us have an education, that shall practically develop our thinking faculties and manhood; and then, and only then, shall we be able to vie with our oppressors, go where we may . . .

Our elevation must be the result of self-efforts and work of our own hands. No other human power can accomplish it. If we but determine it shall be so, it will be so.