Connecticut western news., 1883-11-28
A VOTE FOR TRUTH EX-
 PLATNED.

l past 15 years, while performing my du- ty as an elector of the state and United States, made my own choice of men to vote for and voted for them irrespective of party and also regardless of all par ties, always making the heading of my own ticket. And for the past two years I have voted for truth to fill every office of public trust, as follows:-National American ticket, for governor, Truth for member of congress, 4th district, Truth, and so on to fill all offices. This way of voting is not understood by the people, and of course they talk, and perhaps they have right to talk. I think that as the welfare of our nation is common cause, we all have right to understand each others political acts, therefore, MT Editor, I ask your indul- gence of the use of your columns, that I may try to make my political action better understood by the people. am now judged as unwise, foolish, throwing away my vote, and am told that it is my duty to help the best political party; between two evils should choose the least evil party and vote with them, etc.
 Now let us see. First, all voters are en- dowed by their creator with the gift of free will and conscience, and by this gift and the rights secured to us by the constitution of the United States, every voter has the right at least, to be true to his own conscience. Then taking these things and coupling them with the electors oath, which all voters have taken, and it appears to me that I not only have the right to be true to my conscience, but am bound by an oath, not only to be true to my conscience, but to be true to the state and nation. To my mind the question is now decid- ed that my duty is not with aselfserYing party, but to the state and nation ac- cording to the covenant have entered into; which is as follows: "You solemn ly swear that you will be true and faith ful to the state of Connecticut and the constitution and government thereof, as free and independent state; and when ever you shall be called to give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns this state or the United States, you will give it as you shall judge will conduce to the best good ot the same, without respect of persons, or favor of any man; so help you God.''
 This is very explicit. I have taken this oath; entered into this covenant with the state of Connecticut, our na- tion and our God, and this fixes and seals the question of my duty. This is the ground of my political action. There can be no duty to party prior to this. This is the high consideration to which all parties and self interest must yield although it is argued that I should gc with the party in order to reform th' party. think that for me to bear fals, witness with party, to cure corruption in general by being corrupt in particu lar, is doubtful moral medicine. There fore rather be called the stupidest, tn most silly and foolish of all men wh was a laughing stock for the politician of town, if only live faithful and tru to my covenant with the state, natiol and my God.
 I am asked, '.What do you mean b voting for truth ?'' We'll, truth is tn vital principle of all Christian govern ment. We can have no true goverr ment so long as we have political UT truth; for political untruth makes a political action and all government UT certain, obscure and untrue. And
 have thought that our political partie: and our government even, had becom backsliders from the spirit and intent ( our national constitution, backslide1 from their obligations to state, natio and people, therefore take the one V tai principal of all true government an I vote for that. Truth will prevai Truth is the reality of all government, the reality of state or nation, the Tea ity of party or man. Truth is
 grander element, more to be desired politics or government than polite smartness. It involves more, is wort more, will bring more in the long rul It is truth that makes us free.
 P. c. CUMMINGS.
 Canaan, Conn.,, Nov. p, 1883.