John Sherman: “But all laws will be faithfully executed whether they meet my approval or not.”

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.

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 Union already embraces discordant elements enough without adding others.

It was settled by this war that we have a country limited in its powers by the constitution of the United States fairly construed.