And yet there are few reasoning men to be found now ready to deny that it was for the best, and, taken all in all, a benefaction to the country; one of those sad cases, in fact, where it is necessary to be cruel in order to be kind.
John Sherman: “And yet there are few reasoning men to be found now ready to deny that it was for the best, and, taken all in all, a…”
On the record
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sherman acknowledges the harsh realities of economic policies that may ultimately benefit the country.
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More from John Sherman
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.
Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.
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.
The Union already embraces discordant elements enough without adding others.





