Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-20
By JOHN S4yNDERSOyN:
TO 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
oil 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 10 the world, and we shall seek I'D
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy oil commemoratlon, and oil beng
cherished forever IN the hearts of a grateful
and generous people. The love Of indepens
dence is interviewer with the.frame and con;
stjtulIon OF the human mind. Ii is almost
thr 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
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has moro imperious claims upon our graft
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 he-
70 who has promoted the cause oil 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 TO the impe-
be no favor BILE Drognostic of the perpetuity
OF Our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations We owe the
memory Of the illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people, they
have asserted and maintained the imprescripa
iiole 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 benetactors will not be lost to the world:
their names will not pass away nor be foigot1
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
The common and casual transaction of life
lngra;Itude is vice that in nations. as well
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 ct our ancestors is the light Of
postcrity,' and the homage of the living cam
not be offered to the merits of the hklstrious
dead with an efiectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by sontempla.
ting the life and character of those who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emulous of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Niltiades interrupted the sleeps of Tbemis.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and bea
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
ruce savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and hang. A.
round his hut the emblems of bis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken. and
which we now submit 10 the patronage Of our
fellow. citizens. with hope, that from fhe
hberality OF their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it 10 the public worthy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
ILLUSTRATION OF many Of the characters of orr
biography, upon The generosity of their sur.
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish, us with
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire work as compensation
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiibed in numbers 81
half volumes of goo pages, octave. AID
contained in ten numbers To the 6,.,
will be prehxed an appropriate 'front.',
piece-and the work will be comment
with the declaration Of independence. vii
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures. an
cofapendiou. detail Of the proceedings =
congress, during the passage Of the Jsv
Each Of the lives, unless when II il ,n,.
practicable, will be preceded by III !.
ness OF the person, engraved by the be Z
artists 10 the United States.
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ma,
expressly for the purpose, and deliver
to subscribers at TAO dollars and mn cen,..
PeInumber, payable on delivery.