Political Quotes

John Sherman: “Why, sir, we may do all we can to prevent it; we may throw ourselves into the breach; we may stand up and yield…”

On the record
Why, sir, we may do all we can to prevent it; we may throw ourselves into the breach; we may stand up and yield everything, or cringe down and yield everything; but I tell you that will not stop the surging waves.
Said by
John Sherman
Ohio

Editor's note · Context

Sherman emphasizes the inevitability of conflict despite efforts to prevent it during a tense period in American history.

Share

More from John Sherman

Our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country" has been the watchword and creed of my public life.

gutenberg.org

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.

gutenberg.org

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.

gutenberg.org

Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation