Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-03
BIZ JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ 1 t1C EUbLfC.
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 4
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 I
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek in (
vain in the annals of nations, for an event ]
more worthy OF Commemoraton, and of being 3
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people The love Of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stiuiion OF the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that anImates the infants
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the I
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerion Of the
vriuous energies of his nature, none has eX-
cited greater warmth of generation, and /!
has mora imperous claims upon our grati- ]
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and POLITICAL
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of i
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he-l
ro who has promoted the Cause OF liberty and I
maintained the independence and dignity of
man. The animated canvas and breat thing
marble have rescued his features from the !
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian !
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe-g
rIshable records 0! fame. 1T would indie ed /
he 10 favor bic prognosiic of he perpetuity
ut our republican institutions to discover an
insensibiiy to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illuslroLs patrons of American
ieedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OIL
4 foreign power, 10 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 honor. ;" and, as long /
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their SUCCESSORS, the example OF these gene-s
rous benciactOrs will Do! be lost to the world,
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
the common and casua. transaction Of liie.-s
lngratltude is a vice tina! in nations, 8. welEs
as individuals, indicates the last degree of |.
degeneracy and corruption +; il is vice that !
lmpiies the absence ot every viriue il was
IN the age OF CalguIa that the name OF thes
SSc'PIos, was prescribed that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" he glory Of our ancestors is the light Of
posterlty,' and the homage of the living cam
not be offered TO the merits OF the ilu.irious
dead with an efiectus or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi-
naryphiecis in prospect Ii is by contempla-
ting the life and character Of those v ho are
marked out from the multitude by their emil
nent qualities, that we become emuIous OF
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miliades interrupted the sleeps of 'rhemis.
toces ; and rheseus, 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 embems of his fathers va
luur.
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which We now submit TO The patronage ofbuE
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberal!ty vf Their encouragement. we shall
be able 10 present it 10 the public worthy Vt
their appreciation. We must depend for tho
Illustration OF many OF the characters Of our
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur
v,ying relatives and friends, to furnish us with
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers or
half volumes of 900 pages, octave, and
con1njned in ten numbers. TO the first
wiiIsbe pre6xed an appropriate frontis-
piece-ard the work Will b. commenced
with the declaration of independence, with
engraved fac simiies Of the signatures. and
oempendioui detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage OF the Law.
Each OF the lives. unless when il is i'm.
practicable, will be preceded by ike
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 tao dollars and fifty cents
pernumher, payable OH delivery.
~ Subscriptions received at this Office.
october l2 - If