Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-29
Ba JOHN S.7.vDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

IL TIE IODLiS. 4.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of Independence, the peril
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and elaboration, and tho
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy oil conmemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Tue love of mdepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitulon of The human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all tho
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton Of tho
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth Of reneration, and
has mora imperious 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 thehe.
70 who has promoted the Cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from tho
grasp of death, aud the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the ia,pe.
rishable records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of lhe perpetuitv
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensiblity 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
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrlp.
tiole 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 benefactors will not be lost to the worid-
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
len, or their glorious deeds be confoundcd in
the common and casual transaction of lie
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
in the age OF Calgula 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 cam
not be offered to the merits Of the hLstrio,m
dead with an efiectual or sterile admirationl
Great and splendid actions will seldom bs
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempla.
ting the life. and character Of those who ars
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emulous of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Mitiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis-
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit, and be-
came The successful riyal.of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and hangs A.
round bis hut the enbiems Of his fathers va
lour. -.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
which we now submit 10 the PATRONAGE of our
fellow. citizens. with hope, that from tina
liberality OF their encouragement, we shall
De 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 sur
viylng relatives and friends, to furnish us With
Whatever interesting materialsmay be in their
possession tor which, with our grateful 40.
knG;w'eogment'' we promise copy Of the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in nu,oh.,. n.
half volumes Of eco pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To the 6rst
will be prehxed an appropriate frostis-
piece-and the work win be commence
with the declaration Of independence win
engraved lac SMILES of the Signatures. and
compendious detail Of tie proceedings e
congress, during the passage Of the law
Each OF the lives, unless when il il in.
practicable, will be preceded by liz
ness OF the person, engraved by the b..
artists ia the United States. oe'S
II. IL vii, bs printed on 6ae paper, mac.
expressly for the purpose, and deijy,rd
10 subscribers at foo dollar. and jly cts,s
per number, payable on delivery.
X" Subscriptions received At th;. oE