On the record
If a single state may destroy our nationality, then, indeed, is the wisdom of our fathers the wisdom of babes.
Source
gutenberg.orgJohn Sherman: “If a single state may destroy our nationality, then, indeed, is the wisdom of our fathers the wisdom of babes.”
Editor's note · Context
Sherman critiques the idea that a single state's actions could jeopardize the nation's integrity, questioning the wisdom of the founding fathers.
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More from John Sherman
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 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.
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.
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