Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-10
By JOHN SqNDERsO.N.
TO TIE PUBLIC.

~ lie L DIN.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration Of independence, the peri Z
lous 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, fer an event
more worthy OF COMMUNICATION, and OF being
cherished forever in The hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love Of indepen-
dence IS interviewer with the frame and con-
stituIlon OF the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton Of tha
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of yeneration, aud
has more imperious claim, upon our graft
tude, than resistance to tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
70 no has promoted the cause OF liberty-snd
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from thu
grasp OF death, aud the pen Of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
risbab'e records OF fame. Il would indeed
be no favorable prognostic of The perpetuity
OF our republican institutions 10 discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe tho
memory OF the illustroLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained The irilprescrip.
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for.
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, as lons
as virtue holds her empire in The hearts of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost 10 the worldA
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds he confounded i'm
the common and casual transaction of Iils.-
lngratitude is a vice that in nations. as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age OF Caligula that the name of the
Sclpios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
he glory ct our ancestors is the light Of
posterity,' and the homage Of The living can.
not be offered to the merits Of the fllusfrious
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum de or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempla.
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 Mitiades interrupted the sleeps of 'fhemis-i
ttocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival Of hi. fame. Tho
ruce savage OF The desert listens with rapture
TO the deeds OF his ancestors, and hangs A.
round his hut the emblems of bis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said TO enforce the u.;lav
Oh Inc publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronase Of onr
fellow citizens. with hope, that irom ia
liberality of their encouragement. We shaI1
be able to present it to the public worfbv a.
their appreciation. We must depend for tho
illustration Of many of the character, of n,..
biography, upon The generosity Of the;r s mn.
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish n. w;,,.
whatever interesting materials NAV he IN ,has.
possession fer which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise COPY Of thn
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS. fst
l. The WORK will be publihed in number, o,-
hall volumes Of 200 pages, octave. snS
contained in ten numbers. To tb, 6rse
will be prefxed an appropriate fToni;.-
plece-and the work will be commerce.
with the declaration Of independence. with
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures and
conPendious detail Of the proceedine, az
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each Of The lives, unless when II !, i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by a ike.
ness OF tbe person, Engraved by the hest
artists 10 the United States. 's''
u. II Will BE- printed on fine paper, made
expressly ef the purpose, and .deliyersd
10 subscribers at tao dollar. and ,fjiy cents
Pes.nSS% ., payable on delivery. ~