Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-22
To the editor of the Alexandra Gazette.

SlR-Tn your paper Of Thursday last
there is an essay from Loudoue cores
pondent. who Introduces himself in the
mystical character OF "A Voice from the
mountains. take the liberty, with your
permission, TO offer ew observations III
reply 10 him. merely because he is very
evidently under impressions in the great
est degree erroneous. aud seems too 10
have deviated from the observance Of those
principles which the preservation OF good
order in society has Induced all men to
concur in considering as established. -
Men who are more remarkable for genius
than Judgment. and who practice on them
selves the self-delusiOn OF believing all to
he true that they fancy, often pursue with
animation some favorite conceit, and reach
the end Of their argument before they per-
ceiye their first position 10 be false SO
with your correspondent: His attention is
benevolentIy directed 70 us, in order to
slIsY an excitement amongst us which does
not exist He says "ihe people of has
country UisJU Hitt surprise and regret The
eeGriu excitement the election of a member
of congrssSin his district has GppGreaHy
prodacea an .Alerag4ria." Now, SIR, you
will unite with me in an effort to tranquil
ize the mind of this mountal9eer oy assu-
ring him no such excitement exists here !;
and that we do not even discern the ap-
pearances which disquiet him +; and, more
over. that although in due season and IN
der proper circumstances, we should not
be unmindiul of the concern We have IN
The determination Of the question. ne al
ludes to-it is not yet presented IN an aspect
TO interest US in its serious discussion.
Its true, a few individuals attached to
tbs cause Of AR. Mercer have eyinced dis
satisfaction at the course Mr. Lewis has
presumed 10 pursue without their previous
concurrence and they do not conceal the
grati6cation they derive from the mastery
manner in which your ingenious cores
pendent has disposed OF his subject. BGt
this is all. There is, in good truth, no
controversy here +: all that has yet been
written on the subject is on the side OF Mr..
Mercer. The friends of Mr. Lewis have
said little and writ less. Mr.. Bailey's sup
pOr;ers are even more reserved, and the
unbecoming sheer at this retired and re-
spectacle gentleman, who is aRectedly call
led I" the rose bud Of popularity" will
scarcely provoke a retort. 1t ls hence
plain, and you will admit it that no angry
passion is aroused here unless in a solitary
friend or two OF the present representative,
and where tbs undue feeling is most EVIL
IDENTITY betrayed, its existence would seem
to be least susceptible OF explanation.
The individual, then, that : preSHnss to
Nif 0olcs from the mountains, "a setf
created Mentor, land who whilst be humbly
confesses age has not conferred on him lis
wisdom, yet thinks il entities him to speak
with authority, might have withheld his adj
vice for filter occasion, & have saved him.
self the trouble of gravely assuring US that
angry controversy Is seldom productive OF
any good effect. But shall say in this re-
spect even his own example furnishes no
happy illustration ofhiS principles. and that
whatever may be the attainments OF bis ma
turer years he hasat least not cultivated with
success very just sense of propriety -
He reproves personal illusions and is him
self grossly personal he undertakes to a.
venge, anu then to eulogise, gentleman
he Familiarity calls his friend in a tone OF
inflated pomposity, but it would be iDjus'
tice to this friend not to suppose be equal
~ disdains the means of his advocate, and
bushes at his parasitical adulation.
There is no principle better established
than that the merits OF men, who are can
didates for Office in the gilt OF the people
snay be publicly scanned; and that every
Yotermay freely express his sentiments In
regard 70 the public character of the per-
son wishing to be his representatives,
Hence the capabilities Of public men are
very freely deScanted upon by anOnymou;
winters, who are, IN the expression OF theIl
sentiments, lett Tree from the restraint inn
posed by public opinion, But what hon.
orAble man, will assert It to be Justihable &c
assaIl, anonymously, a PrtUGte IUdtUidGG
Ito hold him up 10 public view while nj:
assailant IS invisible, and maiciously as
cribe his conduct right or wrong) TO the
worst motives Sir, you will answer, none
--and may add, the cause is 10 great dan
ger, which ls advocated by persons capa
bic OF such an objectionable alteration,
These reflections are awakened by tht
deliberate attack made by the man Of III
,saOustaans on Mr.. M'kenna. MIR. III
*. evidently believed blnseit placed il
cmcumsIsnces which made 1t iDcuu,ben
on nun To state, what had passed betweeI
Mr, Lewis and himself, touching Mr. Il
aununciation as candidate tor Congress
AMI as be had incidentally, out privately
expressed his sentiments OF a public ser
Want, ne saw no reason 10 suppress then
when the act OF the person 10 whom they
referred made the disclosure necessary
We may at Seast commend his candour
which, oY the bye, IS aVlrtue your LoH
dol. correspondent seems to hold in bu
little esteem. Ii this champion, who ha
,,ndartab -, 40 .E,,;;o ,I,cnfs his f-iend's wish