I have given much space to this Kansas controversy, for I wish to impress upon the readers of this volume that the war was not caused by agitation for the abolition of slavery, but by aggressive measures for the extension of slavery over free territory.
Sherman emphasizes that the Civil War was driven by the desire to expand slavery rather than abolitionist agitation.
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What I have written is no doubt clouded with partisanship, but I would not be honest if I did not express my attachment to my party.
It was settled by this war that we have a country limited in its powers by the constitution of the United States fairly construed.
Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.
Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.
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