John Sherman: “I hoped you would consent, because I think it quite important, for many reasons, that we should dispose of bonds on this…”

During forty years of public life, though many able men have aspired to the office I hold, the people of Ohio, through their general assembly, have preferred me to represent them.

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.

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.

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.