John Sherman: “Any positive victory by either extreme of this controversy will be an absolute injury to the business of the country.”

If my life is prolonged I will do all I can to add to the strength and prosperity of the United States, but nothing to extend its limits or to add new dangers by acquisition of foreign territory.

The life of a civilian is in what he says or writes, that of a soldier in what he does.

Proud of Ohio, of its history and people, willing at all times to sound its praise in the sisterhood of states, yet, according to my convictions, the United States is entitled to my allegiance, and all parts of it should receive equal care…

Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.