Buchanan was surrounded by men who had already made up their minds to destroy the Union, one of whom had already committed acts of treachery in the distribution of arms and military supplies, and all of whom avowed the legality and rightfulness of secession.
Sherman describes the treachery surrounding Buchanan's administration and the threats to the Union.
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Our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country" has been the watchword and creed of my public life.
The life of a civilian is in what he says or writes, that of a soldier in what he does.
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.
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