“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.” – Rutherford B. Hayes, US President
— From the Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes, August 9, 1878
Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States (1877-1881), is often remembered for his efforts to reform the civil service and his commitment to ending the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction. Before his presidency, Hayes had a distinguished career as a lawyer and a Union general during the Civil War. His administration is noted for its attempts to address corruption in government and to promote integrity in public service.
The quote from Hayes’s diary on August 9, 1878, reflects his critical perspective on the nature of political ambition and the pursuit of office. In this statement, Hayes suggests that the quest for political power can corrupt individuals, even those with good character and noble intentions. He implies that the competitive and often ruthless nature of office-seeking can lead people to compromise their values and engage in unethical behavior.
Hayes’s observation speaks to a broader concern about the impact of political culture on human behavior. He recognized that the desire for power can elicit “the lower traits of human nature,” such as greed, deceit, and manipulation. This insight is particularly relevant in the context of the Gilded Age, a period marked by significant political corruption, patronage, and the influence of money in politics.
By highlighting the potential for moral degradation in the pursuit of office, Hayes advocates for a political culture that prioritizes integrity and ethical conduct. His commitment to civil service reform was a response to the very issues he describes in this quote. He believed that a merit-based system, rather than one based on patronage and favoritism, could help mitigate the corrupting influences of office-seeking.
