Its standard of personal character was of the highest.

Its leading men--Saltonstall, Reed, Lawrence, Lincoln, Briggs, Allen, Ashmun, Choate, Winthrop, Davis, Everett, and their associates--were men whose private and public honor was without a stain.

Its political managers were not its holders of office or its seekers of office.

It contained a large body of able and influential men who wielded the power of absolute disinterestedness.

They were satisfied if they could contribute, by counsel or labor, to the well-being of the State by the advancement of their cherished political principles.