John Sherman: “Though passion may have strained, it must not break, our bonds of affection.”

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.

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 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.