Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-27
By JOHN .S.4.NDERSOyT.
TO THE HERIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration Of independence. the per;.
lOus occasion which demanded The eyer,ion
OF their wisdom and deiberation. and the
influence OF their councils on the interests of
mankind, we must acknOw ledge 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
more worthy oil commemorati0n and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of Jepen
dence Is InerwoTen with the frame and con-
stitution Of the human mind. II is almost
the hrSt sentiment that anlmates the infants
features 10 the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
has mora lmperOuS 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 tn 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 The
grasp OF death, aud the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements 10 The impe-
rlshabie records oil fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor ,bIe prognostic of The perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover 40
insensibiiity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory Of the illus,rioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, hom the arbitrary dominion of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people, they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
liole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge Of their lives, therfor-
tunes and their sacred honors !" and, as long
IS virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF
their SUCCESSORS, the example of these gene
rous benefactors 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 casual transaction of lie -
Iugratitude is vice that in nations, as ell
as individuals, indicates the last degree o!
degeneracy and corruption il 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 state Of
Brulus brought death on lis possessor.
1.-The glory OF our ancestors Is the light OF
pos,erity," and the homage Of thu living can.
not be offered to the merits Of the iuslrlouS
dead with an efiectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom lie
achieved by men who have mum DC % ordl-
nary objects in prospect /, is b cou' - la.
ting The life and character q those re
marked out fro'a the multitude by der emf
nent qualities, that we become '"gIcus .!
their virtues and their renown. 1hr troPhles
of AIiItades interrupted the sleeps Of F;'mis-
tocles and 1heseus, hearing the eIpIoI.: OF
Hercules, was fired With bis spirit, aRd be-
came the successful rival OF his fame. ! be
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a
round bis hut the emb!ems Of his fathers va
!our.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication We have undertaken, and
which we now submit 10 the patronage Vi cur
fellow citizens. with hope, that IRON the
liberaIity of their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it to the public worthy .!
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many Of the characters OF our
biography, upon The generosity OF their SUI
vI,ing relatives and friends, TO furnish US With
whatever interesting materials may be in then
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, We promise a copy OF TN
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiiked in numbers o.!
half volumes of eco pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the hns
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts,
pisce-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration Of independence, with
engraved fac SMILES of The signatures, and
a compendiou, detail OF the proceedings oil
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is I'M
practicable, will be preceded by like,
ness OF the person, engraved by the best
artists in the United States.
II. It will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and delivery ea !s,,
to subscribers at tro dollars and fftyctnf
per number, payable on delivery
- Subscriptions received at this ofh &C.