Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-15
BIZ JOHN sijvPERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ he UDLIi/. 49,
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 exertiou
Of their wisdom and deiberation, 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, for an event
more worthy OF conmemoration, and Of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of jnJepen.
dence is interviewer with tue. frame and con.
stitution OF the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that animales the infants
features IN the cradle and amongst all tue
actions. and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion Of the
'ftuous energie: OF his nature, none has ex-
clteu greater warmth of Veneration. and
mas more imperinus claims upon our graft.
tuue, man resistance to tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first .ribu,e af
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he-
who has promoted the cause OF liberty ana
maintained the independence and dignity Of
nan. The animated Canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from tho
s:rasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
7as inscribed the achievements to the impe.
',shable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
e no favor BILE prognostic of The perpetuity
1 our republican institutions to discover an
Insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory of the iiiustrioLs patrons of Anne rican
.reedom. They have raised us, by their
aagnanimI,y, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
ot sovereign and independent people they
rave asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
lole rights OF humanity by the ''mutuai
ledge Of their pledge of their lives, their fore
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as long
- virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
heir SUCCESSORS, the example of these gene.
Gus Generators will moi 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 casuai transaction of lie
lpgratltude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies The absence ut every virtue il was
in The age OF CaiguIa that the name of the
ScIpIos, was prescribed, that the state of
Brutns brought death on its possessor.
ne glory OF our ancestors is the light Of
posterlty,'' and the homage of the living cam
not be offered to The merits of the Njlstrios
dead with ali elieciual or sterile admiration.
Great aud splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
ting the life and character Of those Who ar.
marked ONT from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emuIous Of
their virtues and their renown:t The tropb;es
OF MiItiades interrupted the sleeps of Tbemis-
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the expIo;t, rs
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit. and be.
came the successful rival of his fame. Tn.
ruce savage Of the desert listens With tapfnrs
to the deeds of his ancestors. and hanrs =.
round bis hut the emblems of his fatbe,5s va.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the u,;litv
OF tue publication we have undertaken snd
which we now submit 10 the patrona,e cf nnr
fellow. citizens. with hope, that iren. Nh.
iiberaiity OF their announcement. We sbsII
be able to present ii TO the public WORTHY re
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the characters az o,,.
biography, Upon Che generosity of their sur.
viving relatives AID friends, TO furnish ne witt,
whateverinteresting materials may be In their
possession; for which, with our pratefi,l &C.
acknowledgements, we promise a coDy Of ia
entire NOTE as a compensation.
CONDITIONS. 4.
l. me work will be publiihed in number, ~
hall volumes of 200 pages, octave and
contained in ten numbers. To IN. Ga
VIII be pretxed an appropriate ironi;.'
pisce--and the work will be cotnr,an.as
with The declaration of independents LII
engraved fac SMILES of the siena,.rs.', ~, "a
eonpendious detail of the proceea;ny ~. -
congress. during the passage Of tbe {s sol
Each Of the lives, unless when !, !. ;;m,
pracuSapie, VIII De preceded by like.
nessM me person, Engraved By The hest
:, artists 10 the United States. wy Dsss
u. II Will be printed on 6ne paper mad.
expressly for the purpose. and al. msoe
to subscribers at t,o dollar, md nm Tweed Tweed
pes.nSSm .ls, payable on delivery s'"''