Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-17

Ger in the National Legislature. If these
be evidences OF the deser,ion Of Mr.. Mer-
Ger By his constituents. OF the WEAKNESS
OF bis friends, long, long may they attend
his useful and patriotic iabois.
Mr.. editor, permit me TO say word
more OF Mr.. Mercer, without meaning TO
disparsge other gentlemen. Descended
from one OF the fathers of the revolution,
he caught in bis infancy spark ofsthe
heavenly fame of patriotism which has
lighted our beloved republic to happy des-,
times. He still Cherishes it, and by it
will the expiring pulse Of his nature be
warmed.
An idea seems 10 have been propagaied
that Mr.. Mercer has done nothing to serve
his country, or gild bis own name. Few
men are born 10 the glory of achieving
much in action, or in science. Let US in
quire if Mr.. Mercer has not done some
thing to claim for him the respect and gra-
titude of his country He is said TO be a
lheorist, not practical man. ut by
practical man is meant one who does no-
Thing, or one who aggrnndiSes himself on
ly, then is Mr.. Mercer not practical man.
II to contribute successfully TO great and
useful public works, confer on a man the
praise OF being pracGcal, then do vlndl-
cate il for my friend.
He is the author and protector OF the
board of public works, under whose infu-
ence the spirit OF improvement every where
displays itself. This board is opening our
rivers. and intersectlng our country With
turnpike roads II subscribed 10 the Lees
burg road, and 1t is completed it tenders
lis aid to the Smokers and Fauauie roads,
and they revive under the patronage -
These are the practical results of the sys-
tenn Of which he may be fairly called the
author, and yet he is no praclca. man,
although these benefits come home 10 us.
He is the mover and patron of the lite
rary fund. Into this fund, the fines and
amerCementS, derived from the folly and
vices of the present generation, are car
rieH, that they may be drawn thence 10
be used in the education of the rising one.
Beautiful idea that the fruits OF the Vi
ces of the parent shall be treasured up 10
promote the virtue of bis offspring I! This
1 system is DOW in operation amongst us
but when mstured by time, it will be The
pride and strength OF the state for the
virtues and knowledge of people, are
4 luSiI power dIlu tIlclI glory.
Shall descend TO more familiar m
stance Mr.. Mercer is the author OF the
law, by which deeds are proved in the
clerks Office, and before justices, instead
jof compelling the citizens 10 repair, al
great Inconvenience, to their courts. II
may be said this was easy TO do 10
which answer, why did nobody co it be-
ore him? ia ac
These are specimens OF mr.. MERGERS
usefulness in the state legislature
During the war, whose declaration he
| opposed, but TO which he devoted his purse
| and his sword, his head and his heart,
when declared, for it was the war OF bis
[ country, be was appointed, unsolicited,
aid to the governor OF the state, and alter
wards Inspector general. He was at the
head of the committee OF finance, in the
house OF delegates, when. the deranged
stale of public credit called for the best
| talents of the commonwealth. he filled
! this station ,Siib honor to himself and adj
vantage TO the state. His brave Compan-
| ions in arms will be proud 10 proclaim his
devoted and useful services at Norfolk, in
disciplining the inexperienced, cheering
the lsnguid, and consoling the diseased
He himself was brought by his tolls and
exposure to the verge Of the grave. These
are facts ;,and yet we hear mem and men
who ought TO know better--ssy this man
is a theorist, a mere talker, he has done
nothing. Give me practical man. -
/ Shame on such ingratitude
! But shall be told he has done nothing
4 in Congress. Let ME, before correcting
this error. remark, that a man cannot be
/ expected to do much in short period OF
time. Who, since Mr.. Mercer has been
/ in Congress, has done much? Shew me
The man. 1t is true they have spoken by
the day. but of what use is that TO the ma
tion (? Where are their speeches f? Even
now forgotten !? Their effects no where 10
be seen
! imagine the bank Of Alexandra, the
renewal of whose charter Mr.. Mercer so
ably and successfully advocated. will hard
| ly agree with lis cashier, and they some-
times differ. that the people ought to a
bandon MIR Mercer. Is it not known that
Mr.. Mercer conduced eminenlly 10 the re-
newal OF the charters of the banks, by bis
zeal, unwearied industry, talents, and eIo-
quence 1t so he deserves well OF The dis
trict tor this; because discontinuance Of
these charters, by rapid withdrawal of
our circulating medium, already sufficient
ly reduced, would have spread ruin over
this fine country. Mr.. M'Kenna owes his
salary in great degree to Mr.. Mercer
He enjoys the benefit and forgels the be-
netacirr. Let it not beso with the peo~
Pile. The African slave trade, the foul
disgrace, the frightfuI misfortune of Chris
tendon, required vigorous check. ar,