Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-10
BIZ JOHN ,S.iJWDERSDJN.
TO THE PUBLIC.


When we consider the personal qualities
of The statesmen whose names are affixed to 4
the Declaration Of Independence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exercise /
oil their wisdom and deliberation, and the 4
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, for an event j
more worthy OF commemoratiOn, and OF being /
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepsn-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitutlon OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the hrst sentiment that aHImates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all tho
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 yeneration, and
has moro imperous claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and POLITICAL
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute of
genius has been paid to the patriot or The he
ro who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from tho
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements 10 the impe-
rlshable records OF fame. IL would indeed
De no tagor ,ble prognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
nsensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory of the ilIustrols patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and iudependent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, a. lone.
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous seEeiactGrs will not be lost to the world,
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and >casuai transaction of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
IN the age OK Caligula that the name of the
ScIplos was prescribed, that the state of
Brutns brought death on its possessor.
he glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterIfy, and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the illustrious
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Grstt and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempIa-
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that We become emuIous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis.
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploit, Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embems of his father's va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication We have undertaken, and
which We now submit TO the PATRONAGE oforf
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
.liberality Of their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present it TO the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration of many of the characters of orr
biography, upon The generosity of their sur
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish ms with
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession; for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed in numbers ~
halt volumes of 200 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers To the first
will be pre6xed an appropriate frontis-
piece-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence. win
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures. and
compendiou' detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage of the law.
Each oil the lives, unless when If is i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by like.
ness of the person, engraved by the heat
artists in the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tzso dollars and ffiy csnt,
PeInumber, payable on delivery.
~ subscriptions received at this Office. Z