The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-04-11

lity with himself. HIS civiliiies are not
reserved for tho season OF clectioneer-
ing and he regards the poor man no, less
than the rich.
But. We are told, that col. Mercer has
splendid requirements, and his siavs
trade sfteeeh shows that he occasionally
speaks in congress. The papers have
tcemed with panegyrick till it has be.
come satirc-for. thore is no other exam.
pie OF such fulsome praise being iavished
on any publick man Of as dubious merit
as his.
Why do his partihans indulge in rene.
raj encomium! Why such un,irinp &C.
tivity on the part OF himself and them, if
Mr.. Bailey be 80 inferior. Mr.. Mercer
has been long publick man and if his
merit DO so extraordinary, why these If.
forts to convince us Of itl Can We not
Judge for ourselves.
Tie has been sic years in congress and
has been rewarded with six or eight thou.
sand dollars of public money. Now
where are his services! What has been
his course and what is his standing az
member need only present these
lnterrogatories to every voter of caudour
and reflection.
In the contes, of 1917 the supporters
OF col. Mercer anticipated every thing
from his talents, his eloquence was par.
ticularly insisted on and we then heard,
as now, that his grea, opponent uos NOT
an orator. Urged into congress, under
such eircumstances,it is natural he should
have felt constrained to speak, snd-he
did. But, alas where is the friend who
will avow his qualification. Better, ten
thousand times better, he had not spoken
at all. / am, without prejudice against this
gentleman whose amiable traits have
admitted, and have no wish to diIate on
this branch Of my subject. am content
with an appeal to the mind Of every rea.
der. Colonel Mercer has indicated his
having arrived at the same conclusion
himself, for he has said little the last years
OF his publick career.
But II may be in preparing business
for the house that he is conspicuou lie,
US, therefore, inquire for him, in the
committee room, where indeed the prac-
teal man finds his sphere of usefulness
ga Lsudoun Freehoider," descapling,
with fond Partially, upon the excellsncies
OF col. Mercer, seems 10 think his work
incomplete unless he overshadows Mr.
bailey; and after insinuating his incom
peiencys he, whimsIcaiiy enough invokes
Nr. to render himself ridiculous by
making "a speech at the polls on some
great subject of national interest, such as
the tariff, internal improvements, consti- |
'utionai principles, and SO on. and this for
the sake Of exhibition. Now 4 will answer
Tor Mrs Bailey--,hat his good sense will
always restrain him from an idle discus
SION OF political topicks-- and j; will be adj |
mitted by such as nave seen him a. the |
pools that he has never been so weak as |
to be ridiculous. Loans for personal con-
green house plants, refu.alion |
or scandal never uttered, his PLAIN mode
ut living, which asteni.hsd simplicity to
had cottage in place of palace, and
oiner matters, equally interesting, MIR.
Bailey has not the merit of indutging in.
Give MIR. Bailey the opportunities which
you have afforded Mr.. Mercer for six
years pas, and If he does not improve his
advantages abandon him.
Has col. Mercer established in con.
yress tho character ascribed to him BY |
his cuiogists !? No sir, far Otherwise
and beg leave to answer the question
just now propounded. Seeing that him.
sci: and his friends are not reserved in |
disclosing his high qualifications, it may |
be worthy OF remark, that these have not |
designated him as a fit member Of some |
one of the committees in congress having
charge OF the great interests TO which we
have already adverted. We do not End
him in the committee Of manufactures
which takes deep interest in the altera.
ton OF the tariff; nor that of commerce
feeling an equal interest in the question.
More than ordinary ability is sought for
IN forming the committee of foreign re-
iatioDss and tina, of ways end means
but he is in neither of these, although his
paDegyrists say he is skilled in politics,
and he fatters himself he is great in Fl.
nance.
But his active philanthropy must have
placed him in the committee on the
siape trade. No, he is not there. Then
his zeal IN the cause of internal improve.
ment would inspire confidence in the
utility of his services in the committee
OF roads aid canals having charge oil
that intensely interesting subject--yet
you may look in vain il you claim for him |