If this was conceded to be a just cause for secession, our government would become a rope of sand; it would be worse than that of any South American republic, because our country is more populous, and sections of it would have greater strength of attack and defense.
Sherman warns that conceding to secession based on unjust causes would undermine the integrity of the government.
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The events of the future are beyond the vision of mankind, but I hope our people will be content with internal growth, and avoid the complications of foreign acquisitions.
Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.
Though my grateful thanks are due to them and have been often expressed, yet I have felt, as they do, that my duty was to the whole country.
Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.
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