If the territories we are conquering must become States, we might better renounce them at once and place them under the protectorate of some humane and friendly European Power with less nonsense in its blood.
Reid suggests that if new territories must become states, it would be better to renounce them and seek European protection instead.
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Let those who invoke the Supreme Law of the land learn and bow to it.
And next, shall we not probably fare best in the end if we try to profit somewhat by the experience others have had in like cases?
They appeared at times when public men often seemed to be groping in the dark on an unknown road, but it is now evident that the road which has been taken is substantially the road they marked out.
The people have generally more education and refinement than in other parts of the State; their public improvements are better, and their country is every way more attractive.