Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-03-01

elect a suitable person IL represent you VI
the next Coagress and il is really sub
iec,,of such vital Impotence to you, that
| !, lmperjously demands and requires your
/ serious attention and consideration. |
have perceived, through the medium OF
the public journals, that the merits OF the
several candidates have been strictly DIS
cussed and minutely scanned. :,
Col Mercer, your present worthy and
distinguished representative, Is again
candidate for your sutfrsges. as also Major
Levi. and Sydnor Bailey, esq; and out
OF this political GALAXY it devolves upon
YOU TO make a selection; and this selec-
ton ought to be made in strict accordance
with merit and excellence Justice and
equity require a, your bands that you
should continue your support to col. Hler,
cer-lhe naH no has, with matches zeal.
and devotion, faithfully served the people
in the several public stations to which ne
has been called the nan who has d's
charged bis public functions with an ASST"
duty that irradiates and illum'ns bis de-
cIining years the man, the early and best
part OF whose life has been devoted 10 the
cause OF his country,-and the man whose
incessant labnrs, in striving 10 promote bis
country's interest and welfare. have seve.
raj times brought bin to the brink OF the
grave | need not recapitulate the hard
Ships be encountered at Norfolk, when
defending the Liberties OF bis country
they must be known to most OF you. Then
ought we to respect the jealous defender
of bis countryside man who will fight
your battles ? or the man OF heteroge-
NOUS principle ? Fellow-citizens, leave
this for you to answer.
One thing is certain, for the good of our
common country, and to aggrandlze our
national character, the man OF talents, and
Of virtue and of patriotism, ought 10 be
regarded as the peoples choice 4; and eve
~ generous man. although but superficial
ly acquainted with our candidates, must.
and Justice requires that be should, &C
knowledge the superiority OF Mr.. Mercer
in point Of talents over bis opponents. he
has been sufficiently tried. We know MS
worth we know be is able to represent
US. Why then turn out long tried faith
full servant, to replace him With one Tar
interior in every point OF view. isit JUS
tice is it crssitable TO the district? No:
but il is revolving TO the feelings OF every
good man, and ought to be opposed With
honest Indignation.
Fellow citizen. | would ask you, what
is the intention of Mr.. Lewis in anGoun.
cling himself a candidate ? | have been
told that he has been heard to dec are, that
he did not expect to be elected. Why
does he then persist I? Does he do il to
subserve the cause Of Mr. Bailey. for the
purpose Of supplanting col. Mercer? 1t
strongly appears so. This is exenpllhed
in the Communication Of A Loudoun Free
holder to the Editor Of the Gszette--thst
"if he (Mr. Lewis) fails bimself, he will
carry the little colonel with him into re-
tirement." If this is the TACT it ought to
be viewed as an unjust and ungenerous
combination formed against cpl. Mercer
as an act of political 6nesse not very Gre
ditatle TO its authors. Feliov-oilizens,
ought we to view it in any other light !!
Ii so. cannot form conception of 1t.
ask you, ought such candidates for public
favor to be supported ought they to he
entrusted with the conduct OF our politi-
cal destinies ? ought they 10 represent a
free people in the councils o. the nation !!
also think with A Loudoun Freebooter,
that Mr.. Lewis, having discovered his mis-
take in supposlng he will carry the :" IT.
lie colonel" with him into retirement, he
ought to detach himself from the list of
candidates it would thereby throw a veil
over bis former conduct connected with
the circumstances Incident to bis annua-
citation.
1t has been said by several Of the news
paper writer's that Mr. Bailey is mao
possessed Of great physical powers, such
as strength OF mind, &c. | must concur
with the Z" Loudoun Freebooter" aud say
that cannot think so that II is an attri-
butte to which he is not entitled. The
glare Of his genius has not extended its in
fuence. II As never exhibited any proofs
Of bis great natural strength OF mind, or
Of his wisdom and until it is done, shall
remain unalterable in my opinion. But It
is hoped bat at the next election he will
give US a specimen OF his talents in public
speaking, upon some great national and
constitutional question, and not let the
challenge OF GA Loudoun Freeholder"
pass by unnoticed. II is evident Mr.. Bal
ley has engendered a very high opinion OF
his talents and this opinion is cherished
but by few besides himself. 1t will be
admitted by every good citizen, that we
ought to have men repiate with sound IN
Outstanding. Of acknowledged literary ta-
Tents, and fitness and capacity TO pub
lie speaking to represent Us in Congress-.
Is Mr.. Bailey such a man? ] answer l think
not. Then certainly he bas no claim to
your suffrages.
Fellow.ci'izens, you ought calmly to
ponder ON these facts unprejudieed and
dispassionaiely to consider the cause, that
has evidently been pursued to oust col.
Mercer at the next election the machina-
tions that have been formed against him
and then by contrasting his talents with
his opponents, Judge and vote. Major
i.ew;s has been eurepiouSlv mistaken IN