ecker, Esq. at the Second
Anniversary Meeting of the New-York Colonization Society, April
14, 1831.]

'The plan of colonization seems _the only one entitled to the
least consideration_.'--[Speech of M. C. Paterson, Esq. on the
same occasion.]

'Nor will their brethren of the North desire to interfere with
their constitutional rights, or rashly to disturb a system
interwoven with their feelings, habits, and prejudices. A golden
mean will be pursued, which, at the same time that it _consults
the wishes_, and _respects the prejudices_ of the South, will
provide for the claims of justice and Christianity, and avert
the storm of future desolation.'--[Speech of Lucius Q. C. Elmer,
Esq.--First Annual Report of the New-Jersey Colonization
Society.]

'Views are attributed to us, that were never entertained, and
our plan is tortured _into a design to emancipate the Slaves of
the South_. We are made to disregard this description of
property, and to touch without reserve the rights of our
neighbors. We are said to tread this almost forbidden ground
with firm step, and a hardihood of effort is imputed to us,
which, if true, might well excite the indignation of our
southern citizens.--But, Sir, our Society and the friends of
colonization wish to be distinctly understood upon this point.
From the beginning they have _disavowed_, and they do yet
_disavow_, that their object is _the emancipation of the
slaves_. They have no wish, _if they could_, to interfere in the
smallest degree with what they deem the most interesting and
fearful subject which can be pressed upon the American public.'
* * * 'There is no people that treat their slaves with so much
kindness and with so little cruelty. Nor can I believe that we
shall meet with any serious opposition from that quarter, when
our object is distinctly understood--when it is known that our
operations are confined exclusively to the free black
population. That this is our _sole_ object, I appeal with entire
confidence to the constitution of our Society and to the
constitution and Annual Reports of the Parent Institution.' * * *
'We again repeat--that our operations are confined to the free
black population, and that there is no ground for fear on the
part of our southern friends. We hold their slaves as we hold
their other