John Sherman: “I would stake the last life, the last dollar, the last man, upon the prosecution of the war.”

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.

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

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

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.