Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-22
By JOHN S.lNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

10 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 the exercise
OF their wisdom and deliberation, 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 id
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts Of grateful
and generous people. Tue love of ihdepenA
dence is interviewer with the4frame and coma
stItution of the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that ahimaies the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all the
actions and enterPrizes of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our gratiS
tude, than resistance to 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
marble have rescued bis features from the
grasp Of death, and the pen Of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe-
risbable records OF fame. Ii would indie ed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrisus patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the itnprescrip.
tlole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred h0nors ;" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benetactors will not be lost to the world:
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction of life.
ingratltude is vice that in nations, as sch
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence OF every virtue il was
In the age OF Caligula that the name of the
ScIplos was prescribed, that the state of
brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory OF our ancestors is the light Of
posterIty, and the homage Of the living can
not DE offered to the merits OF the HhIstrious
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions vii. seldom be
achieved by meh who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by centempIa-
ting the life and character of those who arc
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Tbemisy
tocles and Iheseus, hearing the expleif, of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit. and be-.
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
ruce savage of the desert listens with rapiur,
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems of bis fathers Va.
lour.-
More need not be said to enforce the t,;litv
OF the publication We have undertaken. and
which we now submit to the patronage Of onr
fellow citizens. with hope. that from tbs
Iiberality OF their encouragement. we shajI
De able to present it to the public WORTHY re
their appreciation. We must depend for tha
illustration OF many of the characters of our
biography, upon The generosity Of their sny.
vIvlng relatives AID friends, to furnish us with
whatever interesting materials may he IN tbe;1
possession for which, with our grateful ar.
Kno"ledgments, we promise a Copy of M.
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers a.
halt volumes Of 200 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To the 6rs,
Will be pre6xed an appropriate frontis.
Piece-and the work viii be Commerce.
WIN Inc declaration Of independence. wi,h
engraved lac SMILES of the signatures. ana
compendlous detail Of the proceedings ~
congress, during the passage Of the law
Each Of the lives, unless when Il i i'm.
praetlsable, will BE- preceded by like.
ness OF the person, engraved by the besf
:, artists 10 the United States. Des'
IL. 1t will be printed on 6pe paner m.de
expressly for the purpose. and d.iversd
70 SUBSCRIBERS at tho dollars and f5iy csnts
Pc. number, payable on delivery.
SUBSCRIPTIONS IsasiYad at this niicn