Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-05
BIZ JOHN S4yvDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration Of Independence, the peri
lOus occasion which demanded the exercise
OF their wisdom and delib ration, and the
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered To the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, tor an event
more worthy oil commemoralion and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful Z
and generous people. The love of indepen- 4
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
sttullon of the human mind 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anlmaies the infants
features in the cradle !; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has /
awaked into activity greater exertion OF the /
vrtuous energies Of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneratioD. and
has mora imperous claims upon our gfati-
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Oh.
genius has been paid To the patriot or The be-
maintained the indepeG' ence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from tho
S'H'p " tS'''b, uho PSu VI tfc
has Inscribed the achievements TO the iInpe-
rishab!e records Of fame. Ii would indeed I,
be no favor 'be prognOstic Of The perpetuityi
OF our republican institutions to discover an
lnsensibIlty 10 the obligations we owe the
memory Of the iIluStroLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised u., by their
magnanimity, trom thr arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tIole rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their PeGge OF their lives; their for
tunes and their sacred nonurs - and, as long
as virtue holds her empire IN tie hearts of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous seneInCtors vii. not be !Ust to the world:
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be conf0unded in
the common and casual transaction OF life
lDgrattude IS a vice that in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree of
degeneracy and corruption /; il is vics that
implies the absence Of every virtue it was
in the age OF Caligula that the name OF the
ScIPlos was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor,
" The glory of Our ancestors is the light Of
posterity, and the homage Of The living cam
not be offered TO the merits OF the iIusirious
dead with an eilectua or sterile admiration.
Great aud splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. Il is by conrempla
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emuous of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of ! h miss
tocEes; aud Theseus, hearing the exploits OF |
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit, and bed
came the successful rival of his fame. Then
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptupof
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs az
round his hut the c,nblems of bis fathers va
lour. 4
More need not he said to enforce the utility
Of the publication we have untiertakeR, and
which we now submit to The patronage Of our I
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality Of their encouragement, we shall
be able 10 present il TO the public worthy Of |
their Appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many OF the characters of curl
biography. upGn the generosity OF their sur-t
vlying relatives and friends. 10 furnish US With
whatever interesting materials may he in their
possession; for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF the
entire work as i compensation.
CoEDITloEs. 4
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers or (
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be preixed an appropriate frontis-
piece-and the work will be commenced Z
with the declaration of independence, with /
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and 7
eompendiou; detail Of The proceedings OF
congress, during the passage OF the law. 4
Each oil The lives, unless when it is i'm
practicable, will be preceded by like
ness of the person, engraved by the best {
artists 10 the United States.
II. II will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for The purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tao dollars and fifty. cents
pernumhcr, payable on delivery.
~ Subscriptions received at this Office.
october IL Ii