If these things were matter of mere speculation, they would not be worth talking about; but they are not so.
The spirit of conquest, and the ambition of the sword, never can confer true glory and happiness upon a nation that has attained power sufficient to protect itself.

Your favourites, the Romans, though no doubt having the fear of the Carthaginians before their eyes, yet were impelled to carry their arms out of Italy by ambition far more than by a rational apprehension of the danger of their condition.

And how did they enter upon their career?
By an act of atrocious injustice.

You are too well read in history for me to remind you what that act was.

The same disregard of morality followed too closely their steps everywhere.