Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-07
BIZ JOHN .S.f.vDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

" 4 HE fUBLlC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF The statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and elaboration, 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 int
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy oil commemorative, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the frame and COM
stitution OF The human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anImaies the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all The
actions and enterprises of man. none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion OF the
ylrtlous 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 d
genius has been paid to the patriot or the be.
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 tho
grasp OF death, and the pen OF. the historian
has inscribed the achievementsto the impe-
rlsbabe records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prognostie of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the ilustrioLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
Inagnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished Gle ovation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescri,i.
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 benetactors will not We lost to the world:
| their names will not pass away nor be forgot
| ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED i'm
the common and casual transaction OF life -
lngratltuce is vice that in nations, as wei
| as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
| degencracy and corruption il is a vice that
| implies the absence OF every virtue il was
in the age of Calgula that the name OF the
| Scipos was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
| The glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterlty," and the homage of the living cam
not be offered to the merits OF the illusirous
dead with an efectual or 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 contenpIa-
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 eliltiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis-
tocles and lheseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired 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 bis ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis but the emblems of his fathers va
| lour.
More need not be said to enforce the u;ilitv
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
! which We now submit 10 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 &c
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many Of the character. of our
! biography, upon The generosity of their sur.
irving relatives and friends, to furnish n, with
!, Whatever interesting materials may he in the =
possession for which, with our grateful ao.
acknowledgements, we promise copy of thu
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihcd in numbers n
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the 6rst
VIII be prehxed an appropriate fronts
pisce-and the work Will be Commences
with the declaration Of Independence With
engraved fac smiles of the signatures and
compendiou; detail of the proceedings of
congress, during the passage of the Law
Laen Oh Inc iiSes; unless when it is i'm.
ptacueaole, Will be preceded by like
ness VI me person, engraved by the best
IL. IL VIII De printed on fine paper, made
to Subscribers at-tro dollar. n.J f6,, go.
pernumber, payable on delivery.
~" Subscriptions received at III, off,.