Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-10-29
BIZ JOHN S.1yvDERSflN.
TO THE PUBLIC.

When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration OF Independence, the peri
lous DcCa ION which demanded the exercise
OF lre'r wisdom and delibGration, and the
influence OF their councils on the interests of
mankind, We must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall sees in
VAN IN the anna,s OF nations, Tor an event
more worthy OF commemorative, and Of icing
Cherished forever IN the hearts of = grateful :
and r. nervous people. lIt love of Jude PEN
dcnCe l. InleIWovrn with the frame and con.
stituiinn III The human mInd. Ii rs almost :
TIN hr>I sentiment that anrmates the niint's
features in the cradle (; an amongst ali the
actions md enterprises OF man, non. has
awaked into actiyt, a greater cxertiOn of The
vIruous energies OF his hature, none hi. ex-
cited greater warmth ut vcDeratIon. and
has more iml,erlous claims upon our grati-
tinit, than resistance 10 tyranny aud-politicaf
aggression. ~
In Ill republican states the first tribute Of
genus has been paid 10 the patriot or The he
70 who has promoted The Cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. he animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from ho
grasp OF Geath, anu the pen Of the historian
III. Inscribed The achievements 10 The impe.
r'shaole records o tame. Ii would ind, ed
~ no favor bic prUgnostic of The perpetuity
ii our REPUBLICAN insIltu ions t. diseove. an
'n,eDslhlIty to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the Iilustrl0LS patrons Ui AmeriC N
Ir"edom. hey have raised US, 10y their
MAJ nanImity, from the arbitrary domihn Of
loreIsn Pow er, to the distinguished elevation
All ~ 4 N nd pf. "a.
have asserted and maintained thu imprescrip.
liole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of the il lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honor> :" and as long
as virtue holds her empire IN the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benef4ctors will not be los, TO the world:
their names will nol pass away uor he forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
he common and casual transaction of lite
l"gr'tlude is vice thai in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence Ut every virtue il was
IN the age OF Cdligula that the name OF the
Sc'pIos was prescribed, that the state Of
brutus brought death on its possessor.
Tue glory OF our ancestors is the light oil
posterIty,' and the homage of thu ivi,g cam
not be offered to the merits OF the ilIu.trious
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. |, is by cont. mpla-
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out frnm the multitude by their emf
neDt qualities, that we become emuIous If
their virtues ana taeir renown. The trophies
ofMitiades interrupted the sleeps Of 'rh-IuisI
tocles and rheseus, herring the exploits Of
Hercules, as fred with lis spirit, and be-
came The successful, rival of his fame The
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptura
to the deeds Vt his ancestors. and hang. =.
round bis hut the emblems of his fathers va,
l0ur.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
which We now submit to The patronage ofouc
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tho
liberality of their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it 10 the public worthy Of
their appreciation. ne must depend far the
illustrat on OF many ni the characters of our
biography upon the geneosit, OF their sur.
vIying relatives and friends, t. furnish us with
whatever int resting materials may re in lhen
possession for which, Will. our grateful &C.
kncwledgmen's' we promise copy of the
entire ork as compensation IA
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will he Pnbliih-d in numbers oc
half volumes Of geo pages. octfyo, and
contained IN ten numbers To the first
will be prhxed an appropriate fronts.
piece -anj the work viii be- ommeDced
with the declaration of indie peuu,ence. with
engraved lac SMILES Of the signatures. and
comPendiousdetaH OF the proceedings of
congress, Turing the passage of the law.
Each oil tht lives. unless wien il is i'm. &
practicable, will BE- preceded by like.
ness OF TIE person, engraved by the best
artists N the United States.
II. II will ne printed on fine paper, made
expressly tor tie purpose, I'D delivered
10 subscribers al tseo do'i"rg oni fffycsnis
pernnm-er payable OF delivery
INSCRIPTIONS Isssiytd at tha ofiee. 4
sstsbsG ~ y. -.