“The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.”
More from James K. Polk
“If a man . . . would shake and not be shaken, grip and not be gripped, taking care always…”
“Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.”
“The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.”
“Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country…”