Political Quotes

Whitelaw Reid: “The public servant who, without instructions, should in a gush of irresponsible sentimentality abandon great possessions…”

On the record
The public servant who, without instructions, should in a gush of irresponsible sentimentality abandon great possessions to which his country is justly entitled, whether by conquest or as indemnity for unjust war, would be not only an unprofitable but a faithless servant.
Said by
Whitelaw Reid

Editor's note · Context

Reid emphasizes the responsibility of public servants to uphold national interests rather than act on personal sentiment.

Share

More from Whitelaw Reid

Let me repeat, that I think it best for all men—white men, black men, and brown men, if you make that distinction, that all men of proper age and unconvicted of crime, should have the right of suffrage.

gutenberg.org

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.

gutenberg.org

May it not prove, moreover, in that work of reorganization, which now engages the thoughts of all patriotic men, that universal suffrage is the best reconciler of the most comprehensive lenity with the most perfect public security and the…

gutenberg.org

Ordinarily the simple performance of duty is so blessed of God, that men who live in the doing of it, are the best off, in all respects, even in this world.

gutenberg.org