Final answer:
People sharing the views in the excerpt were most likely opposed to the expansion of United States territory through war. The Whigs' policy was to prioritize economic development over expansion, and they believed that avoiding new territories would prevent further divisions over the issue of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
People who shared the views expressed in the excerpt most likely opposed the expansion of United States territory through war, as this was a stance commonly held by the Whigs, who were more interested in the economic development of existing states and territories prior to acquiring more land. This opposition was partly due to the complications around the issue of slavery expansion into new territories, which they wanted to avoid. The Whigs were also against territorial expansion because it divided their political coalitions and disrupted the focus on their economic programs. Additionally, the Whigs supported strong national power, including government support for tariffs and internal improvements, but were against imperialistic tendencies as they believed they ran counter to American democratic principles.
It is clear from the excerpt that the individuals in question supported tariffs and internal improvements and opposed territorial expansion and the low-cost sale of federal lands. This effectively aligns them against the interest in the expansion of territory through warfare, making option C the correct answer. People with these views also stressed the harmony of interests among social classes and supported various reform movements, further distancing themselves from the concept of expanding territory through conquest, which often resulted in the antagonism of interests and opposition to reformist ideals.