John Sherman: “If your conference deals wisely with your opportunity you will light a torch that will illuminate the world.”

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.

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.