Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-03-28
EoR THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

l.. Certainly, why should not?
L. Indeed cannot say have much fault
20 find with Col. Mercer; but Mr.. Bailey.
L. 1t gives me much pleasure Mr.. U. to
hearyou say, that you have not much fault
30 fad with Col Mercer, and still more
that Mr. Bailey, who has thought fit to OPP
pose his reelection, has gone further, and
in an unqualified manner, has approved OF
the part col. Mercer has acted throughout
as our epresentatiye-it to me appears,
therefore, inconsistent in Mr.. Bailey. to be
candidate now-it may be presumed that
those who wish him elected. could assign
some reason If they would-Perhaps Mr.. U.
you can.
u. have several reasors-The nature of
our government requires our public servants
10 learn, that their tenure of Office is TO be
determined by the people,
l.. Surely-It is indeed one of the very
best features of our excellent constitution,
that an unfaithful or incompetent public SER
want, can. without any inconvenience, be
set aside, for one who may be presumed
better qualified to 6ll the place. The great
evil in other governments would seem to be
,his-that king, tho fool, must be king
still, and the minister, appointed by the
fool, and though knaye, must be the mi
mister still.
u That is what want, rotation in Of
nee, and Mr. Bailey
l.. Not so fast Mr.. U, tho the principle
of rotation, is excellent when properly un-
dersrood & judiciously exercised, it surely
never was intended TO put out faithful and
capable agent, merely for the sake OF rota-
lion. Let US try the pr;nciple-We can
suppose the condition of ship al sea with
Skiitul pilot; but the crew are republican,
as we are, aud they insist in orCer to exer-
else th- fayorIte p wer Of rotation, to put
the helm into the hards of another. no has
never attempted it before. an who, by an
uuskiliGl touch, may occasion the loss Of
the whole; or, what may be as well under
stood, an army OF volunteers may reserve
the power of choosing their officers: They
have bad brave, Skiful and successful com
mander-ought the principle Of rotation to
induce that army, 10 give the command to
one of no experie nce-espeCialIy, if in an
enemy's country?
U. That is different case, and | confess
| should vote against taking the helm out Of
skilful hand-especia if a storm threat
ened. or giving the command to an untried
soldier, wien an enemy's army was in
sight; but in our happy country, every mao
has SO good an idea IF liberty and law. that
it does not require much experience to make
legislator. Besides. theregare so many old
members in congress, that few new MEM
bers would not do much harm. We had
some time ago, member OF the assembly,
who having the advantage of newspaper in
formation, was thought by majority of US,
likely not to make bad member, and ne
yer heard of much harm he did; and Mr..
Bailey
L. Did you ever hear what good he did?
There may not be perfect analogy between
pilot or commander, and a representative
in Congress; but it was introduced to shew
tie adv antage OF rotation in Office, OF
rather of the choice Of our agents being
IN the people. that were an unskiliul pi-
lot at the helm, or had a coward the
command of an army; they might be re-
muyed and more suitabl, men put 10 their
places, and for the same reason, If the pilot
were skitul and wskeiul, and the general
brave and sue cessful, they might be CONT
nued in their posts. So were our represen-
ta,ive ignorant, inastive, and selfish, we
ought TO ;5andon him, and it no one more
competent, more experienced than Mr.. Bal
ley, should appear as candidate-try him.
But Mr.. Bailey says, Col. Mercer has &C
quilted himself weI--He entirely approves
what he has done, and presume, there is
no, treeholder in the district, with toll
cradle acquaintance with him, but will at
once admit that Col. Mercer is not ignorant,
nor inactive, nor selfish. He acquired by
severe study, an education such as few in
the district possess-certainly MIR. Bailey
does not. When in the legislature of Vir-
ginia, he was allowed to be the most ac-
tive member of the house. heard himself
declare at public meeting, that during his
seven years service in the assembly, be lost