Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-02-01

in our fourth page.
For the Alexandria Gazette.
TO the Electors Of Lo1deatn, Fcirfdr
and Princs. William.
Fellow CIrlzcNs,-PrOfessiDg NJ be
than those OF candor and justice, | avail
myself OF the privilege enjoyed by every
Citizen 10 express. through the, public jour-
nails, my views and sentiments IN relation
to the approaching election 81 wenber
20 Congress, from the district composed OF
the above counties aud protesting also
10 be plain matter of Tact man, shall
endeavor TO arrive al the tyuth and merits
of the case 10 question. without regard TO
style or ornament IN language.
Then 10 the tacts-and what are they
LIST That Sidnor Bailey, Esq. a verv
respectable gentleman OF Loudoun, is a
candidate for seal in Congress, to the
exclusion OF Col Mercer, the present mem.
Der.
Let us now examine f,is claims to this
preference, as we'll as the forfeiture there
Of on the part of Mr.. Mercer; not in lam
guage Astounding with tropes aud meta.
phnrs, but in the language oil sincerity and
tiuth-the only language becoming tar
n+rs and independent treemen, whenever
called upon to express their political opin-
IONS. or 10 exercise their political rights.
Mr. Bailey is what we term federalist, a
term used in conlradistinction TO republic
cani,n so is Col. Mercer; therefore, SO
far the account is balanced.
Nr Bailey is a gentleman Of great ma
tural strength Of mind, but has limited
education.
aIr. Mercer has talents Of superior or.
der, aad IS first raie bel,es.let,res scho-'
!sr
Mr, Bailey previous to, and during the
whole Of the ate war, uniformly opposed
il ~Ih the utmost vshemeBCe, not as a
public man, bot as a private citizen Of
81 sding and influence.
: dr Mercer during me same period ma
infested the greatest devotion TO his cnun-
try, both in legislative and military ca.
pacity, with an ability, integrity, and
patriotism which en9tled him TO the ad
mirarion and praise OF even his most b,t.
ter.pohlic Il opponenas;for be it known, that
Coz. hercer Was opposed 10 the declaration
OF war, but alter IL Wa declared, snd the GA
ton had passed The Haoicon," all other
feelings and considerations we're merged
in the patriotic impul4es of his good he art
Here col. Mercer is entitled to large
credit:-s credit which ought to be in
scrihed in letters OF gold upon the hal.
lowed altar OF pa,riotisn--a credit which
clearly establishes the doctrine, that a
difference Of opipion.is not difference
of principle" We are {" ell federal
lists. ali republicans" save those VITO
would wish 20 dissolve the union.
Mr.. Bailey, SO far from ever having ser.
vei in Congress. has rot even been 10 any
legislative body, although repeatedly soli-
cited to go to the Virginia Assembly.
DIR. Mercer, on the contrary, has under
gone The regular routine and gradation in
office from the state 10 the national cesn.
ellis
Here then is another credit in favor Of
the present incumbent, tor We are TO pre-
sune-and .air presumption Il ,s--tnst
"practice makes perfect" and that the
want of the one, occasions the absence st
the other.
&C then il be desirable that your repre-
sentative should be qualified at all times
IN every point OF view, to discharge with
ability the high trust reposed in him, there
can be no epoch requiring it more than al
the next Congress, which will have an 10
Suence more or less Ia directing the choice
aad possibly in electlng chief magistrate
Is It not theo higaly impOr' that The
best experience and wisdom OF the couB'
try should be brought IN requisition upon
an occasion of such vital Importance to the
nation And If thus Importance really does
exist, will you promote so desirable al OBJ
iect, by discariipg faithful AMI well
tried seryant-one who tits admitted pos
sesses iateiiigence, virtue, aud patriotism
merely to promote the personal views
and anoition of gentleman. entirely IN
acquainted even with parliamentary rules
much less the policy and motives which
may and which ought to influence both
branches OF Congress, in relation to the
p.xi presidential election? Forbid u &C.
aiGs Of magasnlniiy-fOrbit it justice
and might say. le, policy. let expedien-
cypnsy. let common sense FORBID It.
II is q maxim 10 private life, never to
castotf an old and well tried friend ia
make a new one; and | have always
thought, that private maxims were, gene
rally speaking, a good criterion for our
public acts.
Virginia has long preserved her great
political influence in The councils Of The
nation, BY 4 steady and liberal support Of