The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-10-11


Ii Publicola would transpose this SEN
lence, think it would,be improved for il
he be conyersant with the law, he must
admit, that we all have certain rights,
privileges and authorities, derived from
the common law-fron the statutes and
from the general consent OF society,
which court of chancery might deny
for by the general consent as well as by
the statute, freeholders have an rndoubt-
cd right, SO far as regards their feelings
their opinions and their votes, to "con-
sign" any man to lower station, than
that to which he may aspire, or in other
words refuse him the station he desires
and solicits, while perhaps in strict Justice
(and OF course in equity his claims may
be paramount to all others, consequently
my authority cannot be called in question,
although the equity of my decision may.
We farmers would call this sn,isgo'
but l presume you gentlemen of science.
Publicola, would term it 'nisnomer'.-
BE it what i, may, VIII grant you the
benefit Of the plea of jeofail-a plea
which has both justice and truth on its
side, and one which every honest man is
entitled to, when he falls into an error.
"How far this decree is compatible, SC.
&c. which objects to the inexperience Of
Mr.. Bailey and to the experience of Mr..
Lewis, | pretend no, to explain"
ETH!anation. The want Of e.rh.riencc
was the objection to one (becausc those
with II are to be had ,and the basis of our
government which clearly inculcates
the coctrine of rotation in Office to the
other. To Illustrate this position, can
otter stronger evidence than the fact
that the immortal Washington and the il
lustrIous Jefferson and Madison, vol untar>
lily withdrew from public life Men,
whose political and literary fame, will be
handed down TO the latest posterity with
imPershable honor. And who at the
Time OF their withdrawal could object to
their capacity-their integrity-their
love OF country, and their country's love
OF them F.! None. No not one, and yet
these Patriarchs of the New World, vol
unfairly and cheerfully resigned all their
hNpors and their powers, into the hands of
those from whom they received them l.
mere was display of the amor hatrie
on the part of these distinguished citizens
which produced convictions upon the
hearts OF the people, never to be effaced
| but with the last throb of nature. Were
these Tree will offerings on the halIowed
altar OF patriotism opposed by the peo-
pie! You know they were not, altho'
you know nothing could exceed their
veneration and affection towards them
Ii then succession to the highest offsce
in the gift of the people, met the general
and universal consent of society when
there was not the slightest obliguity,why
should not the same principle apply to
the members ola coordinate department
OF the government and why should my
advocating MIR. Fitzhush necessarially
rank me among the enemies OF Mr.. |
Mercer /? Establish this doctrine Publ
cola, and there is an end to the elective
franchise. Private friendships oughr
never to mingle or interfere with public |
duties. My country is first-my friends |
and neighbors next-snd, if precedents
have weight, in law, they surely ought to !
have in politics, and the above are of the |
highest order. Ifs you be a professional
gentleman, as have no doubt you are !
a scientific one, you not only know, but i,
you must acknowledge their full force
and effect upon the opinion and action of
mankind.
"fbe insiDuaiion, that the genius off
our government requires a man to re,
linquish public station, just as practice |
has instructed him in its duties"
Here is a confession which truly may (
be called "he indiscretion of a friend,"i
for it is the first time, that we have been
told, that our worthy and enlightened re-