Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-08
Declaration Of Independence,
BIZ JOHN !S1.VDEGSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration OF Independence, the peri
ious occasion which demanded the exertion
OF 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 commemoration, and Of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution of The human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that aninates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaSed into activity greater cxcrtion of the
vIrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth OF veneration. and
has more ImperiOus claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to tue 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 tba
grasp Of death, and the pen of the ListoriaA
has inscribed the achievements TO the impe.
rlshable records Of fame II would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic of The perpetuilv
OF our republican institutions to discover an
instnsbility TO the obligations we owe tho
memory OF the ilIustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised zig, by their
magnanImity, from the arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
nave asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tlole rights OF humanity by tie ''mut,al
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and Their sacred honors )" and, as Iona
as virtue holds her empire in tie hearts Of
'heir successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactoH will not be lost to the world:
thelr names vii not pass away nor be fo,ooi.
ten, or their glorious deeds be- confounded r.
,!ia common and casual transaction of Life -
ingrattude is vice that in nations. as VOL
as individuals, indicates the last decree ~
degeneracy and corruption il is vice hi
| implies the absence of every yirtue il w.s
IN the age OF Caligula tina. the name Of the
ScIpios, was prescribed, that The stale nf
Bruius brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the lisbt of
posteriiy, and the homage Of the living can.
mol be offered to the merits OF the ftiustri.us
dead with an edectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom ba
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord.
nary objects IN prospect. II is by contemnla-
ing the lie and character of those who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emuIors lof
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF hliltiades interrupted The sleeps Of Tbem;..
iocies and Theseus, hearing the explo;l. os
Hercules, was fired with hi. spirit. and be.
came The successful rival of his fame. The
ruce savage OF The desert listens with raniure
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and hanr. =.
round his hut the embiems Of bis fathers
More need not be said 10 enforce the uijlav
ol he puoiicatIonw we have undertaken. ami
~h'ch we now submit 10 the patronage, of onr
i;i citizens. with a hope, that ron the
h,ioeraiity OF their encouragement, we shall
o.. 1e aole 10 present it to the public worthy os
!neIr appreciation. We must depend for The
Illustration OF many of the characters Of o,,r
o,osiaPny, upon me generosity Of their sur
vlyIng relatives and friends, to furnish ils vii.
Whatever interesting materials may be ia thtir
possession Tor which, with our grateful ac.
sn,;,. y1 we promise a copy of no
- CONDITIONS
|. The work will be publ;ibed ~ r, RI
halt volumes of 200 pages, octave sa5
contained IN ten Plumbers. To ,ba snI
VIII be pre6xed an appropriate =" fron niM
pIeco-and the work Will be noatis--
With the declaration Of indepepdenese n ,s;.a
engraved lac SMILES oftbe sipn,t,,rs, "l1
compehdlous detail of the proeee6;ne snu
congress, during the passage of N. VI
Eaeh OF the lives, unless when il /. Nv;
prsctlseapIe, will be preceded by A Ehn.
NESS mess o. loe person, engraved by the h.s.
,, artists 10 the United States. y "e pest
II. .r !. viii es printed on fine paper, made
expressly Tor the purpose, and dei;vs,ed
p ne suset.Sers at tao dollars and y end