they would further say, that if they were not thus restrained by the terms of their association, they would still consider any attempts to promote the increase of the free colored population by manumission, _unnecessary_, _premature_, and _dangerous_.' * * * 'It seems now to be admitted that, whatever has any bearing upon that question, must be managed with the utmost consideration; that the peace and order of society must not be endangered by indiscreet and ill-timed efforts to promote emancipation; and that a true regard should be manifested to the feelings and the fears, and even the _prejudices_ of those, whose co-operation is essential.'--[Memorial of the Society to the several States.--A. R. vol. ii. pp. 57, 58, 60.] 'To found in Africa an empire of _christians and republicans_; to reconduct the blacks to their native land, without disturbing the order of society, the laws of property, or the rights of individuals; rapidly, but legally, _silently_, _gradually_, to drain them off; these are the noble ends of the colonization scheme.'--[African Repository, vol. ii. p. 375.] 'Nor have I ever been able to see, for my part, why the patronage of Congress to a benevolent and patriotic Society, which, without interfering, in the smallest degree, with that _delicate interest_, only aims to remove what we all consider as a great evil--our free people of color--(and which evil _does_ interfere with that interest,) should excite the jealousy or spleen of our most watchful and determined advocates of state rights.'--[Idem, p. 383.] 'Recognising the constitutional and legitimate existence of slavery, it seeks not to interfere, either directly or indirectly, with the rights which it creates. _Acknowledging the necessity by which its present continuance and the rigorous provisions for its maintenance are justified_, it aims only at furnishing the States, in which it exists, the means of immediately lessening its severities, and of ultimately relieving themselves from its acknowledged evils.'--[Opimius in reply to Caius Gracchus.--African Repository, vol. iii. p. 16.]