the manifest destiny theory that justifies the stealing of all territory contiguous to our own, and kindred topics, constitute the warp and woof of conversation.
The threads in a woven fabric, comprised of the warp (threads running lengthwise) and woof (threads running crosswise) to create a the texture of the fabric
The underlying structure on which something is built; a base or foundation: "profound dislocations throughout the entire warp and woof of the American economy" (David A. Stockman)