Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-04
BIZ JOHN S.i.NDERSON.
TO THE PuRILC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed TO
the Declaration OF Independence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded tfe exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the
influence Of their councils on the interests OF
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely m0re imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek irt
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy Of commemors ton, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen-
dtnce is interviewer with the frame and con-
stilulon ofihe human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anImates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awa6ed into activity a greater exertion of the
vir;uous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of teneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grati-
tude, than resistance ~ tyranny and political
aggression
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid TO the patriot or the he>
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity of
man. The animated canvas and br, .thing
marble have rescued his features from thu
gra<p OF death, aud the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe- .
rishabe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile progn0stic Of The perpe tuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbllity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory OF The illustrloLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
msgnanimlty, from the arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independent people they
have asserted al i maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the " mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honor, - and, as lone.
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benefsctors will notbe lost to the world:
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounted in
the common and casual transaction of life
lngratltude is vice that in nations. as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of CalIgula that the name of the
Sclplos was prescribed, that the state of
brutus brought death on its possessor.
he glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterlty, and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the llIustrious
dead with an etfectual orSterile 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 those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emuIous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Mlltlades interrupted the sleeps of Themis.l
Iocies ana lheseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
ruce savage OF the desert listens with rapture
10 lhe aeeas OF MS ancestors, and bangs a.
round bis hut the emblems of his fathers Va.
lour
More need not be said to enforce Tho u,;,;,,,
of The publication we have undertaken 10y
which we now submit TO the patrona 90 of ,,,,.
fellow ctize1s. with a hone, that trono ths
liberality of their encou< eement. we ,haiI
be able to present it to the public worthy nf
their appreciation. We must depend nr ~.
illustration OF many of the characters NJ o,,.
biography, upon the generosity of their s NM.
vIvng relatives and friends, to furnish ne vii,
whatever interesting materials NAV he in i, , ~
possession for which, with our grateful a..
we promise a COW of AZ
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers A.,
hall volumes OF 200 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To tho Gnst
will be preGxed an appropriate fronts.
plece-and the work will be commenoaa
with the declaration of INDEPENDENCE. with
engraved tao Smiles Of the signatures. and
compendious detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage of the law
Each OF the lives. unless when # is int
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 pnrpose, and deIiversS
to subscribers attEo dollars and jiiiv elnis
per number, paayableon delivery.