Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-09
BIZ JOHN .S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

III The PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed I'd
the Declaration of Independence, the peril
lous occasion which demanded the exertou
oil 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 in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF COMMUNICATION, and OF being
cherished t0reyer in the hearts OF grateful
and generous people. Tue love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
sttution OF The human mind 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infant's
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion of tho
yirtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth OF generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our grati-
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 hes
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independents and dignity of
man. The animated canvas and breaihiDg +,
marble have rescued his features from tho
grasp of death, aud the pen CT the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the impe-
Tisbab!e records oil fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor,b!e prognostic Of The perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
iEsensiblity to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the iIlustriOLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
aioreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the ilnprescrips
tiole rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for.
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as lone.
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors will not be lost to the worIda
their names wi not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
me common and casual Transaction of life
lngratltude is vice that in nations. as wei -
as 'siividuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il i. vice ttat
implies the absence of every virtue :. il was
in the age of CaliEula that the name of the
SclpIos was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
he glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterIty," and the homage of the living. can.
not be offered to the merits Of the flustrious
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration, ),
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY csntempIa.,
ting the life and character of those who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emuIous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF hlitiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis-
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploifs a
Hercules, was fired with hi. spirit ana he.
came the successful rival of his fame. Ths,
ruce savage OF The desert listens with raptpye;
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and bane, a.
round his hut the embiems of bis fathers s.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the .,;l;tv
OF the publication We have undertaken. ana1
which we how submit 10 the patronage of ourj
low:cltlzens. with hope, that from th.
iIberaity OF their encouragement, We shalt
De aole 10 present It 70 the public worthy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
Illustration oil many OF the characters of ouri
D,ogfaphy, upon the generosity Of their SUR
viyIng relatives and friends, to furnish us wiz
Whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with OUR grateful 49,
acknowledgements, we promise copy of tbeZ
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be pubIiihed IN no,ob.,. "A
nall volumes OF 200 pages, octave, anil
oo'l!s'nea IN zen numbers. To The frstI
n;as. be p5e tx an appropriate fiontis}
with the declaration of independents Vii
engraved fac Smiles of The sipnain,s,, " NV
compendiou, detaiIof The PROCEEDING sA !"
congress, during the passage Of The
Each OF the lives, unless when II +, I'M
practicable, will be preceded by ! lie
nesso the person, engraved BY the hes
artists 10 the United States. ~
1t. 1t VIII De printed on fine paper. MAD,
expressly for the purpose, and dei;Ssra
to SUBSCRIBERS at tno doliars und mi, e..s ~
Per number, payable on delivery.
ss!sber u 0Tee