“How is it possible that such men can be capable of distinguishing between an honest man and a knave ; or, even if they were, will it not always happen that they are led by the nose by some intriguing demagogue, and made the mere tools of ambitions political jugglers? Surely it would be better to trust to Providence, or even to chance, for governors, than resort to the discriminating powers of an ignorant mob. I plainly perceive the consequence. A man, who possesses superior talents, and that honest pride which over accompanies this possession, will always be sacrificed by some creeping insect who will prostitute himself to familiarity with the lowest of mankind; and, like the idolatrous Egyptian, worship the wallowing tenants of filth and mire.”

– William Irving, James Kirke Paulding, and Washington Irving, Salmagundi, No. XI, Tuesday, June 2, 1807