Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-23
BIZ JOHN S.q.NDERSD.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of independence, the peril
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 in
vain in the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy oil commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts Of grateful
and generous people. The love of in1epen-
dence is interviewer with the.frame and coma
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
awated into activity greater exerton of the
virtuous energies of his nature, nome has ex-
cited greater warmth OF generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
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 his features from the
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements 10 the impe-
rishabe records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor .ble prognostie of The perpetnity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the ilustrious patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised u., by their
nagnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion of
foreign poyer, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors;" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactOfs will not be lost to the world:
their names W i'll 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 wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
oegeeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue it was
IN the age of Caligula that the name OF the :
Sclplos, was prescribed, that the state of
brutus brought death on its possessor.
lhe glory OF our ancestors is the light of
posterIty,'' and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the iiL,sfrious
dead with an eifectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi-
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempIa-
ting the life and character of those who arc
marked out from the multitude by their en,;-
nent qualities, that we become emuIou, rs
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltiade. interrupted the sleeps of Themis-
tocies; and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival of his fame. TIE
ruce savage OF the desert listens with RAPTURE
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and hang, a.
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the tifilitv
oil the publication we have undertaken .na
which we now submit to the patronage of onr
iellow:cltlzens. with hope, that from The
liberallty OF their encouragement, we shall
be able 10 present il TO the public worthy -
their appreciation. We must depend for 81.
illustration of many OF the characters Of o,,r
biography, upon The generosity Of their CIV.
v',..ng relatives and friends, to furnish ms With
whatever interesting materials may be in thar
possession tor which, with our grateful ~.
acknowledgements, we promise copv of ~
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS. 49,,
l. ne work will be publiihed in number, ~
half volumes OF 200 pages, octave. and
contained IN ten numbers. To the FIRE,
WIZ be plehxed an appropriate fronts.
pIece,-and the work will be commeaced
WIN 'ne declaration Of independence. will,
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures an1;
compendious detail of the proceedinus -
congress, curing the passage OF the law
n mses o. Jne ilves; unless when it is i'm.
Prac.issapie, will be preceded By Ike.
ness o. inc person. engraved by the best
.r :. wss1 DC e. printed on fine paper, msdt
. * p,' Ior the purpose, and delivered &
nern,,mbsr ls ns :. .To dollars and iy ceu.
subscrinpt ayao !. on o'.. delivery.