I have heard men express preferences. They have made mention of whom they desire to rule over us if the worst should come upon us nationally. Some are rampant after American associations; some are enamoured of the English; some would have the Germans, others the French. Personally I indulge no such predilections. They argue an abandonment of hope . . . an absolute admission of incapacity and failure. For my part I am a Liberian first and last and my desire is that Liberia should endure till the heavens fall, and that this country be controlled by Liberians for Liberians.

  Edwin James Barclay (1910)