Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-03-29
f.. tho Alexandria Gazette.

ional District, composed OF the
counties Of Prince William, FAIR
fax and Loudoun,
Fellow Citizens,
You are soon again to exercise
the right of rejecting a delegate to Con-
gress, our late faithful Representative
having retired from the service oil the
district, which, | hatter myself. feels
a grateful recollection of his services.
Two distinguished characters are pre-
senred to the people as worthy of their
snffrages. In making the choice, the
constitution and principles of our go.
yernment require us to select the mos
III. and able citizen, being freehold
|er in the district
The candidates are Charles Fentor
Mercer, and Armistead L. Mason.
1t is not my intention TO go into
minute investigation Of the merits Of
these gentlemen. In private life the!
are both estimable.
The enquiry for the people to make
is. who is the best qualified for the
station who will be most serviceabie
to his country : l am happy that Mr.
Jefferson's period is rapidly approach
ing. il it has not already arrived,
when the only enGsliry will be. who is
honest. who is capable. who is faithful
to the constitutions !: If You will dis
card party feelings. and take this rule
for your guide in making your e'ec-
ton, You will not be at loss in de-
Gliding between the two candidates.
Mr.. Mercer has served the county
of Louduun seven years in the state
legislature. His labGrious zeal dur
ing that period for the common good
Of the state. is exhibited by the public
acts of that body. Every measure
calculated to improve the condition OF
the state. owes its origin To him. and
its contamination to his intelligence,
talents and exertions. Among the
many acts Of public benefit which he
promoted, l shall mention only two.
The literary fund, the object OF which
is to give every man in the community.
whether rich or poor. an opportunity
to instruct his child, is one. 1t IS un-
necessary 10 dwell on the great lm-
portancc Of yiituOas education TO the
community. II must be obNisns to
every mind. The other Is the fund
for internal imprOy nent. To have
good roads and can Is to bring our
produce to market. is Of vast public
utility. He has shewn himself to be
a practical statesman. Such only
should be pernittetkto legislate. The
deserved influence which he has had
in the state Legislature, is at once the
strongest evidence of bis worth as a
public man. Twelve months ago,
when nc announced, on account OF his
extreme i'll health, his determination
to retire from the public service, the
members Of the legislature. Of all par
ties, As an evidence cf their respect
fIr. and confidence in his talents and
vir.ue. united and gave him a public
dinner at the close of the session. |
do not believe a similar instance ever
existed in Virginia before. mention
this, because il is, according to the
practice OF our country, an evidence
of the confidence and respect which
they, who offsr this testimony. feel in
the individual whom they intend to
honor.
Need / add the united voice Of the
frecholders of Lnudoun IN his favor
Last spring Mr.. Mercer was absent
from his county. and had announced
10 his fellsw-Citizens, his i'll health
would no, permit him again 10 serve
them in the legislature. While on his
journey in pursuit of health, the vo-
tiers of Loudoun, even those Who call
themselves exclusive republicans, re-
elected him as one Of their delegates
10 the General Assembly. IL having
pleased Heaven to restore his heath,
he o5eyed the call of his fellow-citi-
zeus, and repaired to the post Of duty
assigned him. From the beginning
to the close Of that long and interest
ing session. nc remained laboring day
and night with zeal for the good of his
country. Re left the Legislature with
the benediction Of even his opponents.
He left behind him fame which re-
fleets honor on the county that sent,
him.
can mention another and An inva-
luable trait in the character OF this
o,Ec-J. anah etofa1n,ou which MANY