Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-06
Declaration Of Independence,
BIZ JOHN .S.qNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

ITO THE PUBLIC.
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
oil their wisdom and deliberation, 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 id
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love. Of indepen-1
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
sttution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anlmates the infant'A
features in the cradle and amongst all tho
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of tho
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth OF veneration, and
has more 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 the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independents and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from tho
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the imps-
rishable records Of fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor ible prog hostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover al
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by theft
magnanimity, 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 g mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as Iona
as 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 folgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction of lite
lDgratitude is a vice that in nations, az vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a 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.
he glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterIty,'" and the homage Of the living can.
not De offered to the merits of the ilIustriouS
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who have hum Die or orli.
nary objects 10 prospect. 1t Is by contempla.
ting the life and character of those who arr
marked out from the multitude by their emf
hent qualities, that we become emulous oS
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of TbemisJ
tocles and Theseus, hearing the. exploits az
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival Of his fame. The
ruce savage of the desert listens with ranture
to the deeds Of bis ancestors, and banrs a.
round bis hut the emblems of bis fathers "a.
lour. $3.50 6
More need NOT be said to enforce the utilhv
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
which we now submit to the patronage Of onr
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tn
Ilberallty OF their encouragement, we shaif
De able 10 present it to the public worthy IL
their appreciation. We must depend for ths.
Illustration OF many Of the characters Of our
biography, upon the generosity Of their sur
vlying relatives and friends, to furnish ts with
Whatever interesting materials may be in theiF
possession for which, with our grateful ar.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of M
S"'AS WIN ID compensation.
49, CONDITIONS.
l. Inc work will be publiihed in numbers a.
nan volumes OF 200 pages. pctaYo, and
s col" 10 te', numbers. z o the first
WIN De prehxed an appropriate frontis- |.
PlsseIand the work will be commenced
WIN 'he declaration Of independence Win
engraved lac Smiles Of The signatures, and 1
1omPenaious detail Of the proceedings of |!
fFengre Is t during the passage Of the law
ns ses ., Inc i.ye' unless when il is inn
ps ..s VIII De- preceded BY like
ness OF the person, engraved BY the bsst
!, artists 10 the United States. "s oest
II, . !. WI, oe printed on 6ue paper, made |
expressly Tor the purpose, aud delivered
RetnSmber. payable on delisery.s '
aefaher 10 V'SN w tste VQlcS.