Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-18
BY JOHN SfyNDE.RSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC

" 1 liz " DIN.
When we consider the personal ouats,
OF the statesmen whose names are athy4J ~
the Declaration of Independence, the prT.
lous occasion which demanded the excr;ion
OF their wisdom and deIiberation, and Tho
influence OF their councils on the Interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge that yprv
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 commemUrltlon, and Of eirg
cherished forever in The hearts of eral.G1
and generous people. The love of inIepep-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stilution of the human mind. II is limos,
the first sentiment that animaies the infant.
features in the cradle and amongst all he
actions and enterprises of man, none Ia,
awaked into activity greater exertion Of rbs
vrtuous energies OF his nature, none has e..
cited greater warmth OF generation. and
has more lmperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and poIc.!
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 10 the npe.
rIsbabe records OF fame. Ii would ind, ed
he no favor ible Drognostic of the perpptuiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibiity to the obligations we owe lie
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons Of kmerica1
hAu h.N.. L., IL
magnanimity. from Inc arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
liole 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 world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot,
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
he common and casual transaction OF lie -
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as we'd
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
dcgenerscy and corruption il is a vice ;f,al
implies the absence of every virtue it was
in the age Of Cdligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state o.
Brurus brought death on its possessor.,
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterity," and the homage Of the livi E can
not be offered 10 tho merits OF the ilIu,iro4
dead with an ef1ectual or sterile admIra,oN'
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who have bum Die or ordI'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is b, conIenPIa
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by Their emf.
nent qualities, that We become fmu'ous OF
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miliades interrupted the sleeps Of ! hcmIs:.
locIeS and ! heseus, hearing the eIPIc'I: oil
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came The successful rival of his fame. ] he
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems Of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anc
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF oui
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lls
liberaity of their encouragement, we sh'I.
be able to present it to the public worthy "
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many OF the characters OF oui
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur
vrving relatives and friends, to furnish us With
whatever interesting materials may be in ther
possession; for which, with our grateiul ae-
acknowledgements, We promise copy OF 'hs
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers o.
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, shc
contained in ten numbers. TO the hi:'
will be pre6xed all appropriate fronu',,
piece-and the work will BIZ commenced
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, aao
compendiou: detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the Jaw
Each OF the lives. unless when it is I'D
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness Of the person, engraved by The De'
artists in the United States. J..
II. II will be printed on fine paper. mace
expressly for the purpose, and del'veIeu
to subscribers at tao dollar, end tJtyee'S
per number, payable on delivery.
~ Subscriptions received att this Oil &C.