Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-02-22
For the alexandria Gazette.

Ma. SNowpEN,-l am plain man. unac-
c;stoined to writing for the public, with TOO
humble an opinion Of my own powers to sup
pose that can shed light on the great and COM
olicstcd interests of the union but in looking
into the newspapers of the day, am not salts
fled with the manner in which the professions
of our congressional candidates have been es-
timaued {, too, have my opinion, and that
opinion | am willing to express Ill manner
suited to the capacity of plain men like myself.
In choosing our representative in Congress,
what should be our object: To crafty neigh
hor, FREUD, or even conneXion Or should
it be the public welfare! My opinion Is, that
we the tr.ehvlders Of the country, should con.
slider ourselves as jury Of inquest, bound by
every tie of duty, to select from among the
candidates those best qualified to promote the
true interests of our country. In doing this
We should be guarded against the little arts, too
commonly prsctised, termed eleetionering; by
which honest and well meaning men have
sometimes been induced to act contrary to the
dictates of sound judgment and good sense,
and for which they have, not unfrequently, had
cause afterwards to repent. Ought we to be-
heve that man, who spends much o. his time
at sales, musters, and other places OF public
resort, promoting by his example, and to serve
a particular purpose, the prOfuse use OF ardent
spirits, So ruinous to any country, IS proper
representative of Il moral, OF ALI economical
people. Surely not. Such man we may safe
ly pronounce is unfit to represent US, and un
worthy of seat in the councils OF our country.
If too, we see such character, thus employed
in counting the people, at the same time eau
nously avoiding those public stations, in which
he might not only betray his incapacity for bu-
siness but quite destroy his unmerited poPula-
ritv, we can only regard him as selfish de-
Inagogue, seeking his own assrandlzement,
without understanding or practising the duties
OF good citizen, and therefore unworthy OF
our support.
Besides our present representative, Charles
+. Mercer, two other gentlemen have been
announced as candidates Joseph Lewis and
sydnor Bailey. 1t will certainly be admitted,
that COL Mercer is, in all respects, as well qua
lifted to represent the district as any man in It.
For a considerable time he represented the
county of Loudoun in the state legislature,
where bv his talents and assiduity he attained
high standing as patriot and statesman.
he was always the friend Of economy in dis
bursting the public fluids. He was fruitful in
deyising expedients to replenish the public
treasure; and his station in the house gave him
full Opportunity of developing those traits of
character, as he had in a great degree the ma
nagement of the finances OF the state. The
journals of the house Of delegates, l mistake
not. will show that for at least three years, the
last of his service, he did not propose mea-
sure relating to the finances OF the state that
did not prevail. am unwilling, for the honor
of nv native state, to say, whI was the sltua-
ton of the treasury when he first went into the
legislature; but am ploud to recollect. that
before he left it a very important change had
been effected, principally by his agency; and
that a perseverance in the measures planned by
him, has given to Virginia larger capital for
public Improvement, after discharging all its
debts, than It is believed, any other state IN the
union possesses. What has col. Mercer done
to forfeit the confidence of the people thus no.
norably ACQUIRED? | certainly have heard OF no
serious objection to him in his representative
character, and no man impeaches his moral
worth. On the contrary, his principal oppo-
nent has acknowledged, in unqus!ihed terms,
his ability and his integrity and the correct
ness of his political course. With respect to
Mr.. Lewis | shall be brief. When ne ceased
TO be a candidate, the occasion he no doubt
recoilects, he supported the election OF Col
Mercer. Why he now wishes to have him
superseded, he but can tell. Probably Mr..
Lewis was under the pleasing delusion, that he
had only to announce himself a candidate to put
down ali opposition: by this time, make no
doubt, he has discovered his error. Mr.. Lewis
it is said has declared that if hefails himself ne
will carry the little colonel with him into retire
ment. would willingly hope better things OF
Mr.. Lewis. Having discovered his mistake,
It woAld certainly he more correct in him to
withdraw his name from the list Of candidates.
IS will not he should sayl place my personal
friends. many Of whom are also the friends OF
- Col. Mercer, in an unpleasant dilemma, and
thereby defeat the wishes Of people, to whom
1 owe much, by making the election OF Mr..
Bailey the possible result-who certainly in no
one respect can be regarded as SO well entitled
to the suffrages of the district as col Mercer:
to be instrumental in such result would be
degrading to myself, and SHINING against my
country"
In the newspaper publications. character
for talent and great natural strength OF mind.
has been attributed to Mr.. Bailey; to which,
think, he is by no means entitled. He has
been for MANY years, counting popularity; by
means | shall not name but certainly to the
neglect of more improving pursuits. He has
not, so far as can Judge, and lam not stran-
ger tolMr: Bailey, given one evidence OF a tond-
ness ar , Etncss for crave deliberatlpe or mo.