Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-11
By JOHN savDERyoM.
TO THE PIiRIIE

When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiou
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 10 the world, aHd we shall seek in
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy oil comIaemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love Of iDdepen-
dence is interviewer with ne:frame and con-
stitution Of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of map, none has
awaSed into activity greater exertioa Of tho
yirtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth OF generations, and
has more lmperious claims upon our graft.
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.
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 to the impe.
rishable records Of fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor .ble prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations We owe the
memory OF the illustriOLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised w, by, their
rnagnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF a sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
.iole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge oil their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors :" and. as lon6
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 confounded in
the common and casuaI transaction of life -
lngrattude is a vice that in n1tions, as wei.
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name of the
Sciplos, was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutts brought death on its possesscf.
The glory of our ancestors is the light of
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits OF the illustrious
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. 1t Is BY contempla.
ting the life and character of those Who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become enuIous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF lllltlades interrupted the sleeps of Themis-
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits oP
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival Of hi. fame. The
ruGe savage OF The desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems Of bis fathers "a.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the v,ilnv
OF the publication we have undertaken, and
winch we now submit to the patronage of our
fellow. citizens. with hope,. that iron the
hDeTaiity OF Their encouragement, We shall
De aoie 10 present 1t to the public worthy Of
Their appreciation. We must depend for the
Illustration % many Of the characters of our
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur.
WING relatives and friends, to furnish us with
Whatever interesting materials may he in their
possession tor which, with our grateful 40.
knGM'eagmehts' we promise copy of the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
1. The work will be publiihed in number, m.
halt volumes OF 200 pages, octave. AMI
contained in ten numbers. To The So
VIII be prehxed an appropriate fronts.
plece--and the work will be commerce.
with the declaration of independence with
engraved fac simile. of the signatures , and
compendiou, detail Of .he proceedjne. ~
congress, during the passage OF The 1av
: Each OF the lives, unless When # !. ~.
practicable, will be preceded by a ike
ness of The person, engraved BY the heat
.artistsin the United States. ~. Dest
II. Il wi, be printed on fine paper. made
expressly Tor the purpose, and del;Ss,uS
TO SUBSCRIBERS at txo dollar and tfJfv e.n,.
pe.nSmber. payable on delivery. s''
SUBSCRIPTIONS resolved at this Office.