Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-13
b. JOHN SqJvDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When We consider the personal quaIitis1
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 tho
influence OF their councils on the iuterssts Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle hes been
offered to the world, and we shall seek il
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event !,
more worthy ot commemoraiion, and Of being
cherished forever in the hearts Of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepenA
dente is interviewer with the4rame and coma
stitution of the human mind. II is almost
the FIRST sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none haa
awaked into activity a greater exertion of tho
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has mora imperious claims upon our gratis Z
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 OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity 81
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from the
grasp of death, and the pen of the HISTORIANS
risbable records oil fame Ii would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe tho
memory Of The ilias,rious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised Us, by their
naghanimity, from the arbitrarr dominion OF
foreign power, TO the distinguish elevatiou(S
OF sovereign and Independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrips
tIole rights OF humanity by the :. mutual
pledge OF theiI pledge OF their liyes, their forS,
tunes and their sacred honor, !" and, as lon0
as virtue holds her empire in tie hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gepea
tous benetaCt0rs will mol be lost to the worlds
their names will moi pass away nor be foigot.t
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
The. common and casual transaction OF life -
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of 1
degeneracy and corruption {; il is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Calgula that the name OF the I
SciPios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brut1s brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterIty." and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits OF the illustriotR
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who have hum Die or ortii.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by cantsmpla.
ting the life and character of those who ara
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
OF Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 'rkenisl
iocles and iheseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirits and be.
came the successful rival OF his fame. The.
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds Of bis ancestors, and hangs A.
round bis hut the emblems of bis fathers vac
lOur.
More need not be said to enforce the ut;Ii6v
OF the publication we have andertakep. and !
which we bow submit to the patronage of QUE
fellow-citlzens. with hope, that from thaf
llberalIty OF their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present il to the public worthy of Z
their appreciation. We must depend for iha I
illustration OF many Of the characters Of our !
biography, upon The generosity of their sur
vIyng relatives and friends, to furnish M with
whatever interesting materials may be in their !
possession tor which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, We promise COPY of thu
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS. u
l. The work will be pdbliihed in numbers a. /
half volumes Of 300 pages, octave. and
contained in ten numbers. To In fret Z
will be preflxed an appropriate frontis.l
plece--and the work viii be Commenced I
with the declaration Of independence. viii
engraved lac SMILES of the signatures. su5y
acompendIoe, detail Of the proceedings Of. {
congress, during the passage OF the law Nh
Each OF the lives, unless when if = i'm,
practicable, win be preceded by a like 81
ness OF the person, engraved BY he best
artists 10 the United States. $3.50
IL. It will De printed on fine paper, mad. 4
expressly Tor the purpose, and deliyere q 1
10 subscribers At tro dollars aad jyfbfy essls,s
PeInumber. payable on delivery. 81