Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-09
By JOHN S.4JNDERSOM.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
ofthe statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exercise
oil their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence of their councils on the interests Of
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 OF contemplation, and oil being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love Of indepenA
dence is inerwoyen with the1fram and con.
sttuiion Of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animateS the infants
features in the cradle ; and amongst al! tho
actions and entereriZes of man., none has
vlrtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has moro imperious claims upon our graft
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, aud the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements 10 the impe-
rishable records OF. fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensiblity TO the obligations we owe ths
aeinory OF The iliustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnaDimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for-s
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 benefsctors will not be lost to the world:s
their names vii not pass away nor be foigot-
ten. or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
ne common and casual transaction Of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
deseneracy and corruption it is 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
Bruius brought death on its possessor.
The glory OF our ancestors is the light Of
posterIty," and the homage ofthe living cam
not be offered to the merits Of the ilustrious
dead with an efeclual or sterile admiration.
Great aud 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 are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of ThemisI
tocles ; and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his 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 hangs a.
round his hut the elnblems 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 TO the patronage of Que
fellow-citizens. with hope,l that from the
liberality OF their encouragement, we 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 sur
yIving relatives and friends, to furnish US with
whatever interesting materials may be i'm their :
possession; for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire mork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be pubIiihed in numbers or
half volumes Of 200 pages. octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be prefxed an appropriate frontj,- I
piece-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence, viii
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and
aconpendIou' detail OF the proceedings of 4
congress, during the passage OF the law.
practicable, will be preceded BY a like.
ness OF the person, engraved by the beat
artists in the United States.
II. Ii will be printed on fine paper. made
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tao dollars and ftiv cen.s
/. pernumber, payable on delivery. q
~" subscriptions received at this Office
october 10 n