Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-03
BIZ JOHN S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PIJRTJC.


When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of Independence, the peri
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tha
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 commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of a grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stituton of The human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertioh Of tho
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 the
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO the inpe.
rishable records Of fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor lble prognostic of The perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory OF the ilustrioLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised l., by their,
magnanimty, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independent. people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescripA
toie 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 benetaCtors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be foIgot-
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction of life
lngrattude is vice that in nations, as vel.
as individuals, indicates the last degret of
degeneracy 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
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light of
posterIty,"' and the homage OF the living cam
dead with an efectUal or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die OF ordi.
nary objects in prospect Ii is by cer,templa.
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emuious of
their virtues and their renonh. The trophies
OF hlltiades interrupted the sleeps of The mis-.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fred 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 hangs a.
round his hut the emblems of bis 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
tellow.citizens. with hope, that iron the
lIberality OF their encouragement, we shall
be able 10 present il TO the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for ths
illustration OF many of the characters of our
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
viving relatives and friends, to furnish pa with
whatever interesting materials may be in tbeir
possession for which, with our grateful ac.
Knowledgnehts. we promise copy of tbk
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers or
halt volumes of 200 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers To the fret
VIII be prehxed an appropriate fronti.-
pisce-and the work will be Commence
WIN The declaration of independence. with
engraved fac SMILES of The signatures and
conpendious detail of the proceedines Of
congress, during the, passage of the Iav
Each Of the lives, unless when If !. i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by a like.
neHsm urs person, engraved by the best
-. r IL w,sI DC printed on fine paper, made
to subscribers at tro dollar, and IN, go.
pe.rnsSmber. payable on delivery. ,'
~ Subscriptions received At iii, ols..