The Party Manager and the Gentleman

A party manager approached a gentleman who was minding his own business and asked, "How much will you pay for a nomination to office?"

"Nothing," the gentleman replied firmly.

"But you will contribute something to the campaign fund to assist in your election, will you not?" the party manager asked, winking.

"Oh, no," said the gentleman, gravely. "If the people wish me to work for them, they must hire me without solicitation. I am very comfortable without office."

"But," urged the party manager, "an election is a thing to be desired. It is a high honor to be a servant of the people."

"If servitude is a high honor," the gentleman said, "it would be indecent for me to seek it; and if obtained by my own exertion, it would be no honor at all."

"Well," persisted the party manager, "you will at least, I hope, endorse the party platform."

The gentleman replied, "It is improbable that its authors have accurately expressed my views without consulting me; and if I endorsed their work without approving it, I should be a liar."

"You are a detestable hypocrite and an idiot!" shouted the party manager.

"Even your good opinion of my fitness," replied the gentleman, "shall not persuade me."