Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-22
GcoMMuNIcArED.
TO The Toters Of the Counties Of Faiyar, Fan.

FELLow-CITIzENs: A few DAYS since trou.
bled you with some remarks on the subject Of
the approaching Congressional Electon:-Bear
with me again.
Mr.. Mercer has been blamed for not voting
for Mr.. Ciay's Bill, modifying the Tariff, when
the question was taken upon it in the House OF
Representatives Let US examine the matter
candidly, and see if his course was not risht IN
der the circumstances South Carolina had been
guilty Of great violence, and may be almost said
to have stood, with arms in her hands, menaclns
the General Government, and demanding re-
neal of the tariff act Of 1882. The President OF
The United States had made communication, IN
,imating the necessity OF passing law more ell
fectualiy TO enable the Government to MAINTAIN
its authority, and check the insurrectionary
movements IN Carolina. Such bill passed the
Senate. after great debate, SO to 1, and was sent
to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
After this bill vas sent to the House, the Senate
had nearly matured Mr.. Clay's bill, when, a
constitutional scrup'e arising about the right Of
the Senate TO originate bill such as MIR. Clay's,
because il affected the revenue, it was started in
the House in the shape ct 40 amendment to MIR.
Verplanck's bill OH the subject Of the tariff Ii
was pressed upon the House, the bill to support
the authority of the government being still kept
back. In this state of things. MIR. Mercer re-
fused to vote for Mr.. Clay's bill, holding out the
olive branch; raw, IN some sort, making coDces-
sions to the State OF South Carolina, riotng in all
the unchecked pride Of rebellion. For this bill
IF ession Mr.. Mercer refused 10 vote. Until
the Erecu'ire of :hs Union ,oas armed ruth The
poccr proposed by the bill for enforcing sub
mission 10 me lac ON the part Of So,ah Carolina
Mr.-M said, "Vindicate the legitimate power
of the government, frOwn down rebellion, and
then tender Cancellation, and not before" Is
Is not this rational conduct. and good statesman
ships Even in the tender relations Of private
life, what father, While his son disobeys him and
hurls defiance in his teeth, will SO far forget VIA,
is due to himseif-to the dignity Of ais family
to social morality, as to smile upon him and yield
to his usurpations!-He who does SO may be
amiab!e; he is, undoubtedly, weak. On the
other hand. NAV not a father, with power in his
hand and authority in his brow, meet bali way
his offending son, and receive him again into the
family fold, rather than minsle with him in
scenes of strife and horror, a, the thought Of
which The stoutest men shudder? | cannot but
think this conduct consistent, considerable, and
patriotic.
Some there are who think Mr.. Mercer ought
no, 70 have voted for Mr.. Claws bill at ALL This
opinion is believed not to be very prevalent -
Virginia gave the bill his support; that the hap,
piest consequences are howlng from II now, With
little !car Ut future evil.
Permit me, fellow citizens, to bring to your
view few evidences. of the many which exist,
of Mr. MERGERS public usefuiness.-I furnish
them, not a. forming material part of what he
has ,loue, but as few familiar fireside instances
TO illustrate a public character which respect
fully think you ought TO G. eish. Unit, some sc
yenteen wears since, if man wanted 10 make a
deed, and have it recorded, he was obliged Ell
Their 10 ride to the Cour,-ho to acknowledge it,
or to have il atested BY three witnesses, and
send them 10 prove it. About that time, MIR.
Mercer, then q member, brought into the House
of Delegates OF the State bill providing that a
deed might be acknowledged before two Justices
What world of trouble haas this little law saw.
ed to the people of the State! 1t may be said
tins is a small business. and mighty easy. an
swer, il produces great good; and Why did not
the wise men Of the State think of it be'ores-
Besides, what is Mr.. Mercer to dos He pro-
iects a great national work like the Canal, or the
Convention, or the Colonization Of the free
blacks; and he is told cit is ton large-you are
a visionary" He conceves, and causes to be
passed. a law tina; gnes home to the business and
ircs,drs Of the people, and he is told cit is too
small-ary body could have done that" This
iSblowns hot and cold. Who can content such
critics!
The Long Bridge across the Potomac, from
Alexandria to Washington, is made toll free,
and large sun Of money appropriated by Con-
gress for making it solid and beautiful struc-
ture. The Little Falls or Chain Bridge. as it is
called. is also made free bridge, by an act of
the late session, aud free Turnpike is to be
made from this bridge to Georgetown. The Fat
between the bridge and canal is to be briJged al.
50. Already the people Of Georgetown talk Of
making the road from Drane's to the Falls bridge
free; and should suppose either that the Middle
Turnpike would be made free, or very reduced
toll asked. These, too, are small matters, CON-
pared with many which might be named. But,
fellow citizens, they will save us thousands Of
dollars wear on our travel, and wagonage, and
marketing. We can all see and understand, and
feel these ,hing>: they affect our interest and
comfort. and promote our prosperity. ln the
passage Of these laws Mr.. Mercer is acknow-