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

TO THE PUBLIC.
When We consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence. the peril
lous occasion which demanded the exercise
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 in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commeulOration, and of being
he,ished forever in The hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of injepen4
dence is interviewer with theArame and con-
sttution OF the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that animates tie infants
features in the cradle (; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertlon Of the
yirtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has moro imperious claims upon our grati-
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 independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from the'
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe-
rishable records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility 10 the obligations we owe tho
memory of the ilustrIoLs patrons of Americas
freedom. They have raised u., by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevations
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescripH
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 6eneiactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction of lite
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
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 Caligula that the name of the
| Scipios was prescribed, that the state of
Brulus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterity," and the honage-oi the living cam
| not be offered to the merits OF the illustrious
! dead with An efectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seidor., be
achieved by men VINO have hum Die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. l. is by conlcmpa-
! 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 Themiss
tocIes and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
| Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
u! rude savage of the dsrert listens with rapture
: to the deeds of his ancestors. and hangs a..
round bis hut the emblems 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 our
| fellow. citizens. with hope, 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
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US with
whatever int resting materials may be in their
possession; for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy of tht
entire work as compensation.
| CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers or
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be prefxed an appropriate frontis-
pisce-and the work will be Commenced
with The declaration of independence, with
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures. and
compendious detail of the proceedings OF
congress, during the passage OF the law.
! Each OF the lives, unless when if Is inn
practicable, will be preceded by a like
ness OF the person, engraved by the best
artists 10 the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly tor the purpose, and delivered
| TO subscribers at f5ro dollars and jfiy cent,
| peInumber, payable on delivery.
! Dctober lR rs -