Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-17
BIZ JOHN S.qNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

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 deIiberation, 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 injepen-
dence is interviewer with the.lrame and con-
sttulion of the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that anHmates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater sxertion of the
vIrtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grati-
tude, than resistance to tyranny and political
aggression.
In 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 tame. Ii would indeed
be no favor Die prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibiity, to the obligations we owe the
nemory oil Inc lllustrloLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised ps, by their
magnanlmity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
q tpro TO- - : =
OF sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescr;ns
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for4
tunes and their sacred honors y and, as long,
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts III
their successors, the example of these gene.t
rous benefactors will not be lost to the worlds
their names will not pass away nor be foIyots
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
the common and casua, transaction of lile.-
ingratlude is a vice that in nations. az wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every yirtue il was
IN the age OF Caligula that the name of the
ScipIos 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 can.
not be offered to the merits OF the Hhlstriuus
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum lie or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by csntempla-
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulo,,, of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltlades interrupted the sleeps of ThemisS
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fired with bis 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 hang, a.
round his hut the emblems of his fathers ".
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
oil the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage Of onk
fellow. citizens. with a hope, that IRON fhe ,
lberality OF their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present it TO the public worthy az
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the character, Of our
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur.
y'ylng relatives and friends, to furnish u, with
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with our gratefi, ae.
acknowledgements, we promise COPY of tn
entire work as compensation. e..sS-
CONDITIONS. Ft
|. The work will be Rpbliihed in numbers ef
half volumes of 200 pages, octave. and
contained IN ten numbers To the firsf
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronts.
plece-and the work will be- commencsd
with the declaration of independence. viii
engraved lac Smiles Of the signatures. and
compendious detail Of the proceeding. of
congress, during the passage Of the law
Each OF the lives, unless when Il ;s i'm.
practicable, will be preceded BY a ike.
ness o. the person, engraved by the b.st
artists 10 the United States. s so
II. II vii, be printed on fine paper. uuad.
expressly for the purpose. and dei;sereS
to subscribers at tuo doltars and in CENTS as
pernnmber, payable on delivery.
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