Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-23
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PTIRIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oual;,;,,
OF the statesmen whose names are athyed "
the Declaration of independence, the rsS,
lous occasion which demanded the eYer,;o,
OF their wisdom and deiiberation. aod ,Ss
influence OF their councils on the Interests .;
mankind, we must acknowledge that YER
rarely more imposing spectacle has bess
offered to the world, and we shall Seek n
vain in the annals of nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration, and leM,
cherl:hed forever in The hearts Of a gr.,t61
and generous people. The love of indeptr'
dence is interviewer with the frame apdcm.
stituiion OF the human mind Il is aIuos
the hrst sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle. and amongst ali II,
actions and enterprises of man, none h.,
awaked into activity greater exerlion OHM
vrluous energies of his nature, none has 81.
cited a greater warmth Of yeneratop, mi
has moro lmperious claims upon our a,,t.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and poIIc,I
aggression.
In all republican states the first tributed
genius has been paid TO the patriot or the be.
70 who has promoted The cause of liberty anil
maintained the independence and dignilyd
man. The animated canvas and brea,Lnc
marble have rescued his features from the
grasp OF death, aud the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO the ispe.
| rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of The perpetuily
OF our republican institutions to discover an
| insensibliiy to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the iilustrleLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independent, people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescTip.
liole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirior-
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, as long
is virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example Of these gene.
rous benefactors will moi be lost 10 the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be- COMPOUNDED in
The common aud casual transaction Of life -
lngratitude is vice thai in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree d
degeneracy and corruption il is vice ILat
implies the absence of every virtue il wsi
in the age of Caligula that the name Of the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state q
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
- The glory of our ancestors is the ligho'
postcrity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered to The merits Of the iiu>'TIOH
dead with an etiectual or sterile admlrltoi
Great and splendid actions will seldom ).
achieved by men who have hum Die or CrdI'
nary objects in prospect. |! is BY coutemPla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their sTI:
nent qualities, that we become emuIous d
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of blilliades interrupted the sleeps Of lhtnIs..
tocles and 1hcseus, hearing the exploits ("
Hercules, was fred with bis 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 hang. a.
round bis hut The embems of his tAther's va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, AMI
which we now submit torhe patronage OF oE
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lls
liberality Of their encouragement, we sbI.
be able 10 present it 10 the public wortt!d
their appreciation. We mus, depend for nc
illustration OF many Of the characters Of oci
biography, upon The generosity of their SUI
vl,ing relatives and friends, to furnish US with
whatever int resting materials may he in then
possession; for which, with our grateful &C;
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF tn
entire Is ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihed in number: o.
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To The bI''
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts;
piece-and the work will be- commenced
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac SMILES OF The signatures, ano
a compendious detail OF the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage Of the law
Each OF the lives. unless wheE il is in''
practicable, will be preceded by hSel
ness of the person, engraved by The pes
artists 10 the United States.
II. II will be printed on fine paper, madg,
expressly for the purpose, and deli!eIea
to subscribers at tsro dollars and tftyee"'
per number, payable on delivery
- Subscriptions received al this OH c.