Alexander Mackenzie quotes

Alexander Mackenzie was a Canadian statesman and the second Prime Minister of Canada. His leadership was marked by a commitment to honesty and democratic reform. He helped lay the foundations for responsible government in Canada. Here are 37 of his quotes:

We shall all respect the principles of each other and do nothing that would be regarded as an act of oppression to any portion of the people.

Alexander Mackenzie

Rev. Dr. Thomas (delivered Mackenzie's eulogy) – "stood four square, to all the winds that blow.” (Buckingham and Ross 1892, p. 643, Tennyson's Ode to the Death of the Duke of Wellington)

Alexander Mackenzie

St. John Telegraph – he was loved by the people and his political opponents were compelled to respect him even above their own chosen leader. As a statesman, he has had few equals.

Alexander Mackenzie

Loyalty to the Queen does not require a man to bow down to her manservant, her maidservant, her ox... or her ass!

Alexander Mackenzie

To the working men of Dundee...I press upon them the absolute necessity, as the very foundation of success in life, that they shall assume an erect position; that they shall respect their own manhood; and they will soon compel all other people to respect them.

Alexander Mackenzie

On all questions of principle, the party is not only Liberal, but clear grit in the real sense of the word.... pure sand without a particle of dirt in it!

Alexander Mackenzie

London times – the untiring energy, the business-like accuracy, the keen perception and reliable judgment, and above all the inflexible integrity which marked his private life, he carried without abatement of one jot into his public career.

Alexander Mackenzie

I determined to rule in broad daylight or not at all.

Alexander Mackenzie

...the Reformers of this country will remember... with gratitude, that it was the great leaders of the Reform Party who first gave perfect civil and religious rights to the people of Canada.

Alexander Mackenzie

Civil servants should keep out of politics and politics should be kept out of the civil service.

Alexander Mackenzie

No Canadian government, whatever political party, will attempt to hinder the extension of the true principle of free trade all over the world.

Alexander Mackenzie

"He was, and ever will remain, the Sir Galahad of Canadian politics” (Marquis 1903, p. 418)

Alexander Mackenzie

I repent it.

Alexander Mackenzie

I would rather sacrifice political position tomorrow than do an unworthy act which would subject me to the censure of an honest man.

Alexander Mackenzie

Walk into my parlour said the spider to the fly.

Alexander Mackenzie

Chief Justice Sir Louis Davies – "the best debater the House of Commons has ever known.” (Mackenzie's newspaper scrapbook "Days of Giants", Library and Archives Canada)

Alexander Mackenzie

Philadelphia Record – Like Caesar, who twice refused a knightly crown, Alexander Mackenzie refused knighthood three times. Unlike Caesar, he owed his political overthrow to his incorruptible honesty and unswerving integrity.

Alexander Mackenzie

How I wished for manhood and the opportunity to wreak my vengeance on my country's oppressors.

Alexander Mackenzie

Charlottetown Patriot – in all that constitutes the real man, the honest statesman, the true patriot, the warm friend, and sincere Christian, he had few equals. Possessed of a clear intellect, a retentive memory, and a ready command of appropriate words, he was one of the most logical and powerful speakers we have ever heard.

Alexander Mackenzie

Montreal Star – it is one of the very foremost architects of the Canadian nationality that we mourn. In the dark days of '73 Canadians were in a state of panic, distrusting the stability of their newly-built Dominion; no one can tell what would have happened had not the stalwart form of Alexander Mackenzie lifted itself above the screaming, vociferating and denying mass of politicians, and all Canada felt at once, there was a man who could be trusted.

Alexander Mackenzie

Toronto Globe – he was a man who loved the people and fought for their rights against privilege and monopoly in every form.

Alexander Mackenzie

Logic, sometimes has very little to do with political action.

Alexander Mackenzie