Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-02
BIZ JOHN .&.1NDERSON.
TO THE PURIJC.

~ llfJ Z ODLiL.
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 the.
influence of their councils on the isterests Of
mankind, We must acknowledge that very
rarely mere imposing spectacle has been
offered To the wnrld, AID we shall seek in
vain in the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and Of being
cherished forever in he hearts Of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen-
dence is iDierwoyen with the fsa.ne and con-
s,ItuIon of the human mind. II is almost
the first sentin "nt that anImates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF mar, none haB
awaEed into activity greater exertion OF the
virtuOus energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth Of generation, and
has more impsrious claims upon our grati-
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute II
genius mas seen paid to the patrio. or the hes
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 I.
grasp Of death, and the pen Of the histCriatk
has inscribed the achievements TO the ifnpe.
rlshabc records 81 fame. Ii wouiindeed
be no favor ,ble prognostic of he peTpetpity.
Of our republican institutions to discover an
insensiblity 10 the obligations we owe tho
memory OF the iiIustr.ous patron. of American
freedom. They have raised ", by their
magpanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a!oreign power, 10 the distinguished elevation
OF a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the inIprescrips
tole rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge Of their lives, therfor-
tunes and their sacred honors !" and as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the eyamplesof these gene.
rous benefactor, will moi be lost to the world:
their names will rot pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
The common and casual transaction Of Life.
lngratilude is vice that in nations, as vel.
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
dcgeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age OF Caigula that the name O! the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state of
Brutus brough. death on IFS possesso7.
The glory of our ancestors is the light of
posterity," and the homage OF The !iti, 2 cam
not be offered to- the merits Of the Hsstrious
dead with all eGectuaI OF. sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempla.
ting the life and character of these who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emuous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of bliltiades Interrupted the sleeps Of Themis;
tocles; and Eheseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fred with his spirit and be.
came the successful rival of hi. fame. The
ruGe savage OF the desert listens with rapture
10 the deeds OF his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems Of his fatherfs va.
lour.
More need not be said TO enforce the utility
Of the publication we hate undertaken. and
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF onn
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality OF their encouragement. we .shaiI
be able 10 present it TO the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the character az ouu
biography, upon the generosity of their sur.
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US with
whatever interesting materials may be in theik
possession; tor which, with our grateful ao,
acknowledgements, we promise copy of til
entire york as compensation.
CONDITIONS. ~
l. The work will be pubiihed in numbers NJ
half volumes Of 600 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To the fret
will be pre6xed an appropriate frontis-
pisce-anf the work will be Commences
with the declaration of independence. win,
engraved fac Smiles Of the signatures. and
compendiou' detail of the proceeding, q
congress, during the passage OF the law.
Each oil the lives. unless when II !. i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by ike. !.
ness OF The person, engraved by the hest
artists 10 the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and deliSere1
to subscribers at tao dollars and ,ftiy cenas
pernumber, payable on delivery.
Subscriptions Received At THE o..