John Sherman: “We surrender some of our natural rights for the security of the rest.”

Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.

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.

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.