We were not a party; we had no candidates; we had no axes to grind.

Our vote laid upon the man we cast it for no obligation of any kind.

By our rule we could not ask for office; we could not accept office.

When voting, it was our duty to vote for the best man, regardless of his party name.

We had no other creed.
Vote for the best man--that was creed enough.
Such being my situation, I was puzzled to know how to try to help Mason, and, at the same time, save my mugwump purity undefiled.