Franklin Pierce: “This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate exercise of sovereign rights belonging alike to all nations, and by…”

To us of this generation remains the not less noble task of maintaining and extending the national power.

These results have not been attained without passing through trials and perils, by experience of which, and thus only, nations can harden into manhood.

Meanwhile negotiations have been instituted, by means of a special commission, to obtain from New Granada full indemnity for injuries sustained by our citizens on the Isthmus and satisfactory security for the general interests of the…

We have at length reached that stage of our country's career in which the dangers to be encountered and the exertions to be made are the incidents, not of weakness, but of strength.