Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-18
TcoNMUNIcATED.l
To the Voters Of Prince WiAiam, Lo"do"''
and FairfIr.


franchises which you possess, and many Of 20"
then, for the first time, will unite with your
weather. neighbors in going to the polls and Vot
;ng for YOUR Representatives in the National anu
State Legislatures. l need not expatiate upon
the inestimable value Of the right OF suffrage, ana
the duties it imposes upon every voter. take
it for granted that you will all agree with me IN
placing the highest value upon the right, and &C
cord with me in sentiment as to Its duties ana
privileges. Without further preface them Deg
,ou N read with candor the few words that foi-
low. on the subject Of your Representative In
.he next Congress. know that l address re-
spectable, intelligent freemen, who regard the'r
own interests, and will not desert their settled
principles.
The two gentlemen who are candidates Tor
vo,r suffrages are c. F. MERCER, of Loudoun,
and Col. JOHN GIBSON, of Prince William IL
becomes YOU, fellow-citizens, throwing aside pre-
induces. calmly to weigh the relative merits OF
these gentlemen, and make your decision accor-
dinghy, As to myself. confess cannot hest
tate. And the reasons for my choice shall be
frankly given.
IT is farthest from my intention to inpugn the
character of Col. Gibson. To his virtues, as
man, | am disposed to do ample justice. But
am. a. voter, to act for my Country, and can
not stop here. inquire, then, as to his princi-
,les. his talents, his capabilities as legislator
and his general fitness for the high station to
which he aspres. Ii doubt on any oil these
heads. 7 am bound to bestow my vote elsewhere,
and seek to elevate 4" worthier than he"
First, then, as TO his political principles -COl.
Gibson. It is known to you all, is an avowed
Jackson man, and, for aught | know, in favor OF
:. transcription" and all the other horrors OF this
&, ro;oo Of terror" His friends may tell US that
h. ia moderate in his sentiments. But will Dis
,r;ct thoroughly Anti-JacksOn, whose high minded
nsonle loathe the men in power and their acts,
aoree to send as its Representative man VINO
will mite with the worst political party that ever
ross in this country? Recollect, too, feilow-cl-
t;zsns. that this is time when the energies OF
.srv o,rt of the nation, in favor of true Reform,
should be put forth with visor How Will 1t ap-
near. or how will YOUR own character APPEAR
sbould YOU send-you, above every other Dis
,r;ct in the State-a jackson man as your Repre-
sentative. call upon the friends OF HENRY
CIV. and especially upon those IN Loudoun,
where he has so many, not TO desert the cause Oh
,,bertv-rot to suffer any prejudice or private
nioues to iniure the prospects Of the pride and
r,orv IF the Union! What! will yeu, for Manor
Considerations. give a vote to sustain General
Jackson in powers No! cannot believe It.
Then. too, your interests and principles on great
rational questions, with Col. G'esOn' VIII 60
uprepresented or misrepresented. ask you
candidly il you do not believe that his political
views are foreign from yours; aud that his Cpl
Mons are entirely opposite and distinct from
vour owps Can you. therefore, consent to place
your power in the hands ofone who does not unite
with you in feeling or sentiment? leave the
question for you to answer
And, secondly, Col. Gibson has never, IN my
oc;n;ou. given any evidence OF talents suitable to
,hs station after which he aims. The Represen-
,a,;ve Of a District like ours. should, humbly
conceive. be something more than mere county
.,,r, LAWYER Of the common Grade. speak IN
no disparagement of COL Gibson. But ieg'sla-
tor for the Union should be man OF extensive
reading. of enlarged mind, of liberal views OF
deep research, and of ready speech. lie should
no Statesman, in its best sense and most en-
,,r,el s;rni6cation. 1t will not be criminal in
me to say, that, in my Judgment Col. Gibson
does not come upto this character OF legislator,
NJ, objections, then, to the pretenslons of this
Gentleman are founded on differences in political
sentiment and want of confidence in his talents
and capabilities as legislator. l have not at
tempted to enlarge upon these objections; the!
are simply stated, and left with you for reflection
I'd adyisement. Surely, if solid, they should
have an influence in determining you to agree
With me; for confess am anxious as to the re