John Sherman: “We could do the island much more good by trading with her on an equal basis than we ever can by annexing her.”

The Union already embraces discordant elements enough without adding others.

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.

During forty years of public life, though many able men have aspired to the office I hold, the people of Ohio, through their general assembly, have preferred me to represent them.

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