Quotes from Rutherford B. Hayes

Hayes' Words

"The President of the United States of necessity owes his election to office to the suffrage and zealous labors of a political party, ...but he should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves the country best."

"I am not liked as a President by the politicians in office, in the press, or in Congress. But I am content to abide the judgment - the sober second thought - of the people."

"It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear...."

"In avoiding the appearance of evil, I am not sure but I have sometimes unnecessarily deprived myself and others of innocent enjoyments."

"Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts of meanness."

"Abolish plutocracy if you would abolish poverty."