John Sherman: “If, by a successful revolution, they can go out of the Union, they establish a principle that will break the government…”

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.

Though my grateful thanks are due to them and have been often expressed, yet I have felt, as they do, that my duty was to the whole country.

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.