E.D. Morel (1873–1924), the Congo Reform Association, and the History of Human Rights

A ›Crisis of Whiteness‹ in the ›Heart of Darkness‹

“…As stated above, the once wellrespected trader had collapsed under the severe public pressure after he was accused of fraud by an Italian Free State officer whom he had approached to gather documents on Morel's instruction. 288 Moreover, with the exception of the Sierra Leone councillor Thomas in 1905, there is no sign of cooperation between the British humanitarian activists and the proliferating, albeit small in numbers, Black community of Great Britain -dockers and traders in the harbour towns, but also students and intellectuals from the West Indies and Africawhich had its centre in London. 289 "Africa joined in the demonstration", one journalist reported on the occasion of Morel's public reception, where "four or five ebony faces [had been] adding a picturesque touch of colour to the occasion".…”

“…Morel was particularly praised for "rousing the conscience of Christendom", "enlightening the conscience of the civilised world" and "awakening the public conscience of the white peoples". 288 The Congo reformers "have prevented Europe from standing absolutely silent and indifferent before the greatest crime of all the ages", Doyle admired, and their appeals to the "soul" and "honour" of the white races were eventually answered. 289 After the first "faint stirrings of conscience", the "growl of national disapproval" arose, American reformers recalled, there were "resolutions, and discussions, and cries of pity and shame".…”

“…The human rights promoted by the reformers were neither "natural (inherent in human beings)", "equal (the same for everyone)", nor "universal (applicable everywhere)", the distinct qualities defined for modern notions of human rights. 287 As such, the Congo reform discourse does not, as has been maintained, 288 stand outside of the history of human rights. However, it points more to the exclusionary and colonial foundation of human rights of the 18th and 19th century than to progressive human rights activism.…”

“…The glorifying public perception of Morel but also of Roger Casement, is unbroken until today; see chapter 1 288. Park, "Terrible Story", 770 ('white'); Rev.…”