George Edward Ellis

“ The vast majority of our citizens who do not desire, and who would not accept, public office must insist upon and exercise their right inside of parties and outside of parties. And it can never be out of course for those who, as citizens, take lead of those who held office under them, to insist upon pure integrity and rigid fidelity in the servants under them. ”

“ The truth is of universal compass, as applied to all things earthly, and I do not know but that it includes the stars in heaven. It recognizes the fact that there is in all organic and composite things an inherent tendency to degenerate and decay, if they are not re-enforced and renewed by an amending and reinvigorating process, a protective and reforming agency. Iron rusts away; wood yields to the worm, or rots; the solid rocks crumble, and character, in man or woman, if not steadily built up, strengthened, ennobled, or, as we say, made better, is impaired and debased. ”

“ It may have been a grievance in our old early days that men were subject to a fine for refusing to serve as governor or in some other office. But that was better than that office holders should fine the whole community by using all trusts and places as spoils. ”