Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-06
BIZ JOHN .SiyV.DERSOyN:
TO THE PUBLIC.

when we consider The personal qualltleS
of the statesmen whose names are affixed Ia
the Declaration of Independence. the periI
lows occasion which demanded the exercise
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence Of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, I'VE must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered TO the world, aud we shall seek id
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in he hearts OF grateful l
and generous people. The love of iDdepenss
dence is interviewer with the frame and con!f
stitulion of the human mind. 1t is almost3
the first sentiment that anlmates the infants !
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the |
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertiOn OF the )
yirtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of veneration, and /
has mora imperous claims upon our gratiS !
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and POLITICAL
aggression.
In all republican states tn. first tribute Of:
genius has been paid to the patriot or The he .
maintained the independence and dignity ofS
man. The animated canvas and breathingIl
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp OF death, and the pen of the histGrian6
has Inscribed the achievements 10 the impe-y
rlsbable records oil fame. II would indeed
be no favor bile prOgnostic of The perpetuityS
OF our republican institutions to discover anH
insensbility TO the obligations we owe thek
memory of the ilusirious patrons of Americana
freedom. They have raised u., by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevations
OF a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.,l
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for-
tunes and their sacred honors )" aud, as long,
as virtue holds her empire IN the hearts Of,
Their successors, the example of these gene.s
rous 5enefactcrs will not be lost to the world; =
their names will not pass away nor be foIgot-fl
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED inss
he common and casual transaction Of lie
lngratltude is vice that in nations, as weISi
as individuals, indicates The last degree Off
degeneracy and corruption il is vice that's
implies the absence OF every virtue il was.
in the age of Caligula that the name of Thea
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Bruus brought death on its pos.essor.:
ne glory OF our ancestors is the light OF
posterty," and the homage of the jiyi.g can1
not be offered to The merits OF the ilIustriouSf
dead with /; I>eifectual or sterile admissions
Great and splendid actions will seldom ben
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordijsi
nary objects in prospect. II is by contemplate
ting the life and character of. those who ares
marked out from the multitude by their emiJ.s
nent qualities, that we become emuIous off;
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Nliitiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themis-ts
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits or
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and bell
came The successful rival OF his fame. The5.
rude savage OF The desert listens with raplure,,l
10 the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs at
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va.s9
lour. w
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit 10 The patronage of out 81
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tbe.y
!iberality of their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it TO the public worthy of
their appreciation. Ne must depend for the
Illustration OF many of the characters Of oui
biography, upon the generosity Of their SURF
vHing relatives and friends, to- furnish lis witIySI
whatever interesting materials may be IN theitk|
possession for which, with our grateful acsa|
we promise copy OF thd
entire work as a compensation. III
CONDITIONS. III
I. The work will be publiihed in numbers oil !
half volumes Of goo pages, octave, and
contained in len numbers. To The first
will be pre6xed an appropriate irontisI2
pece--and the work will be commer6l IA
with the declaration Of Independence, with,
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and
compendiou. detail OF the proceedings q
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 bes
artists 10 the United States. Af
II. 1t will &c printed on fine paper, mads
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers al tao dollars and tjiy cent
pernnmber, payable on delivery.
~ subscriptions received at this Office.
oetober 70 20 II