I ask if the same patriotism which brought your fathers and mine into common battlefields, amid all the storms of the Revolution, does not now rebel when you are forced into a civil war by the madness of a few men in the southern states?
Sherman invokes the shared patriotism of past generations to argue against civil war.
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Proud of Ohio, of its history and people, willing at all times to sound its praise in the sisterhood of states, yet, according to my convictions, the United States is entitled to my allegiance, and all parts of it should receive equal care…
What I have written is no doubt clouded with partisanship, but I would not be honest if I did not express my attachment to my party.
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.
Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.
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