Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-25
By JOHN S.4NDERsOM.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ FlE
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 e~xertion
OF their wisdom and deIiberation, and the
influence of their councils on the interests OF
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely a more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy Of CONTAMINATION, and OF being
cherished forever in The hearts of a grateful
and generous people. Tue love of inJepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and cons
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that ANIMATE the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
awased INTO activity a greater exertion OF tho
~yirtuOus energies Of his nature, none has ex.
cited a greater warmth Of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grati-
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
ln.all republican states the first tribute OF
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
70 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 to the impe-
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic Of he perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
in~sensibility TO the obligations we owe tho
memory of the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tlole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge Of their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benetactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
The common and casual transaction of life
lngratitade is a Vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of Caligula that the name of the
ScIpios, was prescribed, that the stale of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
he glory OF Our ancestors is the light Of
posterIly and the homage of the living cam
not be offered 70 the merits OF the iihstriuus
dead with an ~effectual or sterile admiration.
1reat and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. /, is by contempla-
ting the life and character of those who arc
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Tbemis-
tocles and Tbeseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and he
came The successful rival of his fame. The
ruGe savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bahss a.
round bis hut the emblems of his fathers va.
lour. I.
More need not be said to enforce the utiIitv
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
which we now submit TO the patronage of onr
fellow. citizens. with a hope, that from the
isberatty OF their encouragement, VIC. 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 our
biography, upon The generosity of their sny.
viving relatives and friends, to furnish ms with
whatever interesting materials NAV be in tha;r
possession for which, with our grateful an.
acknowledgements, we promise a copy Of M
entire work as a compensation.-
CONDITIONS.
l.. The work will be pubIiiAed in numbers ~
halt volumes of 200 pages; octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To the fret
Will be prehxed an appropriate fronts.
pisce-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence. with
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures. and
a comPehdIous detail Of the proceedings of
congress, during the passage of the law.
E.ach OF the lives, unless when it is inn
5 practlca6ie, will be preceded BY a like.
ness OF the person, engraved by the best
II. II WIN be printed on fine paper, made
expressly Tor the purpose, and delivered
pernumber, payable on delivery.
Subscriptions received At his -oA;..