Source: John C. Calhoun, Congress, February 4, 1817 Let it not be forgotten, let it be forever kept in mind, that the extent of the republic exposes us to the greatest of calamities-disunion. We are great, and rapidly-I was about to say fearfully-growing. This is our price and danger, our weakness and our strength. . . . We are under the most imperious obligations to counteract every tendency to disunion.... Whatever impedes the intercourse of the extremes with this, the center of the republic, weakens the union. . . . Let us, then, bind the republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space.

Source: John C. Calhoun, Congress, February 4, 1817 Let it not be forgotten, let it be forever kept in mind, that the extent of the republic exposes us to the greatest of calamities-disunion. We are great, and rapidly-I was about to say fearfully-growing. This is our price and danger, our weakness and our strength. . . . We are under the most imperious obligations to counteract every tendency to disunion.... Whatever impedes the intercourse of the extremes with this, the center of the republic, weakens the union. . . . Let us, then, bind the republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space.