Whitelaw Reid: “But such a system, we are told, is contrary to our Constitution and to the spirit of our institutions.”

Suppose it to be merely a war in defense of our own just rights and interests.

Congress is supreme, and, for all the purposes of this department, has all the powers of the people of the United States, except such as have been expressly or by implication reserved in the prohibitions of the Constitution.

You see, General, this is alarming, and you must acknowledge that we are not safe.

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.