Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-16
By JOHN S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

III lHE 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
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 OF commemoration, and OF being
cherished forever IN Inc hearts OF a grateful
and generous people. The love of ndepen-
dence Is interviewer with thelrame and con-
stltution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the firs1 sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
awakcd into activity greater exertioh of the
vlriuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more lmperous claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute IF
genius has been paid TO the patriot or the he
70 VINO has promoted the cause OF liberty and
Maintained the independence and dignity of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rlshabie records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetuty
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of the illustrioLs 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 thew
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tlole 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 beneiactors will not 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 casual transaction of life
ingratl'ude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age OF Caligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory OF our ancestors is the Ipbt of
posterity," and the homage of the living cam
not be offered TO the merits OF the illustrioH
dead with an electual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom, be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect. II is by cen,empla-
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emhlous of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltiades Interrupted the sleeps of Themis.
tocies and Theseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit. and he.
came The successful rival of his fame. The
ruGe 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 the publication we have undertaken. and
which we now submit TO the patronage of onr
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberallty OF their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present it 10 the public worthy of
their appreciation. We must depend for tho
illustration OF many Of the characters of orr
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish rs WITH
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with our grateful ar.
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS. $
|. The work will be pubiiihed in number, al,
halt volumes of 200 pages, octave. and
contained IN ten numbers. TO the FIRST
will be prefixed an appropriate fronts.
P'ece-and the work will be Commence :,
with the declaration of independence viii,
engraved fac Smiles of The signatures a.
comPendious detail of the proceedings !.
congress, during the passage OF the Iau
Each OF the lives, unless when Il 10 in,
practicable, will be preceded bv . III A.,
ness OF the person, engraved by the he,
artists 10 the United States. - VAC Des'
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper n,9t
expressly for the purpose, and deI;vs,,'
TO subscribers at tao duIlars and nm etn !,
PesnlImoer, payable OF delivery.
n" SUBSCRIPTIONS Ieceiyed At III. off,.