Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-04
By JOHN SfNDERSON.
TO THE PURIIC.

TO 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 elaboration, and the.
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely a 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 ,ie 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
awaktd into activity a greater ~eXeriion of the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has exc
cited a greater warmth of yeneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grati-
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 me-
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-
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor BILE Drognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibllity TO the obligations we owe tho
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished ovation
OF a sovereign and independent people ; they
have asserted and maintained the inpresCrip.
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge Of their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, az long.
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their SUCCESSORS, the example Of these gene.
rous Eenetactors " i'll not be lost TO the world:
their names will NOT pass away nor be foIgct-
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
The common and casual transaction of fife
lngratliude is a vice that in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree of
degeneracy and corruption ; it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue ; it was
in the age OF Cdligula that the name OF the.
ScipioS was prescribed, that The state Of
Bruius brought death on its possessor.
" HE glory OF our ancestors is the LIGHT OF
posterlty," and the homage of the iivi e can
W u W IL uiCiilS vi luC Iiu.lTIOuy
dead with an e~tfectuaI or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be-
achieved by men who have hum be or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. II is by eontempIa-
ting the life and character of those who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emf
n"nt qualities, that we become emulous OF
their virtues and their repown. The trophies
OF Miitiades Interrupted the sleeps of Themis!
,tocles ; and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fired with his 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 his hut the emblems of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of he publication we have undertaken, and
which we nov submit 10 the patronage ofour
leIIow-citizens. with a hope, that from tbe
liberality of their encouragement, we shall
be able 10 present II 10 the public worthy Of
their APPRECIATION. We must depend for the
illustration OF many OF the characters of our
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US with
whatever interesting materials may he in their
possession for winch, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise a copy Of tho
entire work as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed in numbers or
half volumes of geo pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be prehxed an appropriate frontis-
piece-and the work win be commenced
with The declaration of independence, with .
engraved fac Smiles oftbe signatures, and
a compendiou; detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage OF the law.
Each OF the lives, unless when it is i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by a like
ness of the person, engraved by the best
artists 10 the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at too dollars ana. ffy cents
per number, payable on delivery.
y 4 Srbccr,pt,opc voco.vod ~ al. oE.a