Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-08
BIZ JOHN ,S.4yNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.


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 exercise \
OF their wisdom and deiiberation, and the 1
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been !
offered to the void, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, ior an event /,
more worthy Of commemorate ton, and oil being
cherished forever in Inc hearts OF grateful
and generous people. The love of ndepen-
denCe is interviewer with the<irame and con-
stltuiion Of the human mind. Ii is almost
the FIRST sentiment that anlmaies the infants
features IN the cradle ; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awakGd into activity greater exertion OF the
vIrtuouS energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth OF generation, and
has mOra imperouS claims upon our graft
tudt, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute of;
genus has been pad to the patriot or The he-'l
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 the
grasp OF death, ant the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements 10 The Impe-
Tlshab!e records OF fame. Ii would ibt!E ed
he no favor bic prog nostic OF he perp' tuty
II our republican institutions f. dlsCose an
in--nS,hiIiy TO The ohiis lions We owe the
GenIoy OF the iiiuSilIoLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised ne, 10y their
magnsnimity, from thu arbitrary dominion of
4 foreign pow or, to The distinguished elevation
oi sovereign and independent people, they
nave asserted and maintained the imprescIp.
lIole rights of humanity by the " mu;ualf
pledge OF their pledge Of their ives, their lor-
tunes an, their sacred n0nOr> ) and, as long
) virtue holds her empire IN the hears of,
hen successors, the example Of these gene-'
rOus beneI. ctors will not be LOST to he world;
their names sill not pass AVA nor be tuIs got
ten, or their glorious deeds be co,tUuHGed in
The common and casual transaction of life
lrgraiitude IS a vice that ~ nations, IS well
as ndivl 'uls, indicates he las, degree of
degeneraCy ami corruption it is vice that,
implies the absence of every yiriue il vas,
in the age ci C%.lgnIa that the name OF ,hes
ScipIos was prescribed that the state of,
Brutus brought death on lis poSs,Ssor
. he glory Of our ancestors is the light Of.
posteiity,' and tie honsgr of ihc ljyi, can-i
not be offered to The merits of the riEu. triOust
dead with IN etiectual OF sterie admirailoni
Great ana spenlit actioas vii. seldom bel
achieved by men who have hum lie or ordi-.
nary objects in prospect. is b. contemplate
tins The life AMI cE-ractcr of those aho aret
marked out from the multitude by their emil
ueni qualities, that we becOne eruiUus ofa
their virtues ami their re Down. he trophiesi
OF Nlilladcs interrupted the sleeps Of FhemiS,t
tocles and lheseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with lis spirit, ana bee
came the successful rival OF his iarne. Thes
rude savage OF the desert listens with RAPTURE,
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs IA
round his hut the embiems of his fathers val
lour. q
More need not be said to enforce the utilIty,
of The publication we have undertaken, andI
which we now submit TO the patronage Of our.
fellow citizens. with hope, that from thelS
liberaity Of their encouragement, we shzIu
be able to present it TO the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF mary of the characters of ou13
biography, upon The generosity Of theii surj;
vIring relatives and friends, L. furnish us With
whatever int restirg materials may he in hef1k
possess ion; for which, with our grateful acf
acknowledgements, we promise COPY of theiI
entire " ork as compensation. ~
CONDITIONS. r.
|. The work will be pubiihed in numbers OH
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, and
contained IN ten numbers. To the first,
will be prehxe,l an appropriate froptis4
piece and the work will BE- commentea
with the declaration of independence, with
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and'
corapendious detail OF the proceedings o.
congress, during The assage OF the IawH
Each OF the lives, unless when it is imI
practicable, will b. preceded by ike
ness of the person, engraved by the besl)
artists in the United States. "
IL. II will ne printed on fine paper, madal
expressly for the purpose, and deliyeretiI
to subscribers at fro doiiars and ffiy cent?
pernumoer. payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this Office.
october 10 # 81