Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-02
By JOHN S4.NDERSOyN.
TO THE PUBLIC.

10 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 delibcration, 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 oil commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of a grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution of the 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
awased into activity greater cxertion of the
yirluous enersies OF his nature, none has exs
cited greater warmth OF veneration, and
has more imperious 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
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing 4
marble have rescued his features from the !,
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
mas inscribed the achievements to the impe-
rlsbaole records o. fame. 1t would indeed
DC no favor bic prognostic of the perpetuity
ol or republican institutions to discover an
insfnsiblity to the obligations we owe tue
memory of tie iliusllious patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
rnagnanImity, from the arbitrary dominion #
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
ct sovereign and independent people: thew.
'iave asserted and maintained the mprescrir.
'Ine rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeirf for
iunes and their sacred honors :" and, as long !
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous beactactors will not be lost 10 the world,
their names will not pass away nor be foIgoi-
tYn, or their glorious deeds be coafounded in 4
me common and casual transaction of life
|1Dgratitude is vice that in nations, as well
ss individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeheracy and corruption il is vice that
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
IN the age OF Caligula that the name OF the
SSc'pios, was prescribed, that the state OF
Bruius brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterIty,'' and the homage of the living cam
not be offered to the merits of the iIlusrious
dead with an efeciual 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 coniempla.
ting the life and character of those The are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of.
their virtues and their rcnown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis- /
tocles T; and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the emblems of his fathers va.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility 4
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to The patronage of cur ]
fellow citizens, with hope, that from the I
liberality OF their encouragement, we shall !
be able to present it to the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration oil many Of the characters of our !
biography, upon the generosity Of their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish us With
whatever int resting materials may be in their I
possession for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire v ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers or
half volumes OF goo pages, oc.ayo, and
contained in ten numbers. To the FIRST
will be pre6yed an appropriate frontis-
pisce-and the work vii. be commenced
with the declaration of Independence With
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and
compendious detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage OF the Law.
Each OF the lives, unless when il is i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by a like
ness Of the person, engraved by The best /
artists in the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made 4
expressly Tor the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tsgo dollars axd ffify cents
pernumber, payable on delivery.
~ Subscriptions received at this ofhce.
october IL II