Statistics for occurrence #1 of “United States” in chapter 18, page 250 of William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid:
...ligerents, the Confederate States can hope for any better result by continuing the war; whether there is any reason to believe that they can establish their independence and final separation from the United States .
To reach a conclusion it is requisite to consider our present condition and the prospect of a change for the better.
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