Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-04-15
For the Gazette.

The liberty Of the press Is eSSs"~'ai " ~
nature OF free government.
Ma, SsowpeS,-I have beard ii obser-
we'd as remarka BILE, that SO much should be
said in the papers in praise OF Mr.. her-
Ger. and that no one, till within day or
two, has in that way raised his voice IN
support of Mr.. Bsiley's professions.
am sure your impartiaily, and 's'''l
more your venershon OF Tree press
would have made your columns equally
accessible to the friends OF both gent'e-
men, The Gazette has hitherto. however,
been used by the advocates OF one OF Inc
parties only and it they had connneu
themselves to the praise Of their candItates
without gratuitously undertaking 10 DE-
grade Mr. Bailey, should not now ask
the favor OF your indulgence whilst oner
an humble tribute to his sterling merit.
Where facts and reasoning are not offered
70 the understanding, mere eu'ogy seldom
succeeds 10 inspiring either confidence or
admiration on the contrary, 1t IS more
ant to lead TO inquiry, and disclose inhr-
mites which might otherwise have passed
unnoiiced. Such has been in truth the
effect oi the exlrsvagant aduIaton oestow-
ed upon Col. Mercer.
His opponent, Mr. Bailey, without any
of these adventurous aids, has successful
~ pursued the even tenour Of his way,
winning on the he art, SATISFYING The Judg-
men!, and securing the coGhd ace OF every
man not pre- determined /, ne personal
or party motive 10 o2pos aNarce>
ment. HIS success IS not less cre'.'table
10 him and honorable to he elec'or> OF our
district, than it IS conioundlng to the cum-
biualIon which, affecting only respect
for the sovereignty OF The people, would
make them mere Instruments to cobarm q
PR -ortained order OF succession.
But in the reiterated attacks which are
male upon Mr. Bailey by your eorr4spon-
dents. a strange contraTlety Is observable
in the grounds of their objection TO him.
and a short notice of this circumstance iE
the chlet design Of my communication.
We are told by some that Dir. Bailey u
untausht and inexperienced in political
science; that he is FARMER, and ~
course a man OF no requirements. and un"
fl 10 be a legislator AN agreeable piece
of intelligence to a community purely
AGRICULTURAL. But the followers Of Mr..
Mercer reserve all compliment to render
a more acceptable Offering to the object
OF their ldoiatry. ilht.rate farmers 81!
who are to comprehend and to protect your
interests, when you ale told that one OF
Your own body is, as consequence oi bis
occupa ton, unfit 10 be your representa-.
tive.
Mr.. Bailey is, nevertheless, objected TO
on another and very different ground.
IL is conceded, IN TACT, that his great
personal merit drew the public eye TO him
long since, and that he was earnestly So
IIc,ted 10 permit himself to be sent TO The
Virginia legislature but his occupation,
{uean as it may be thought by some IS IN
his estimation honorable and delightful.
H,s affections are warm and de V0ted 10
his family his manners modest ana unas-
SHINING in an unusual degree aud aVarcS
and ambition exer, NO influence in exciting
his desires. lie declined the distinction
Repeatedly declined it--ahd in this great
sin il imputed to him. Now, what neon
sisteucy have we here. They rail against
the ircompetency OF Mr.. Bailey--then
condemn him for Withholding services to
his country he was universally adm tied
TO be eminently qualified to hestow they
reproye presunptuous Pretension, ou' SUI :
nlv incoptesubie evidences Of modesty q
moderation bitterly reprobate restless
ambition, yet shew him TO be reserved and
unassuming.
The relative merits OF the two candI-
dates have, think, been faithfully pour
,rayed by GA Prince William Freehold
der" in Fridays Herald; but why has
he permitted the very erroneous state
uent of the services OF Col. Mercer in the
legislature OF Virginia to pass cncontrs-
dicted. II may be admitted he was not
a. inefficient there as in Congress. HIS
enthusiasm in favor vi some JudIc,ous
measures was no doubt beneficial ; and as
it rendered him conspicuous, it enabled