Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-07
By JOHN S.qJNDERsON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal quats
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed H.
the Declaration of independence, the pen9
.lous occasion which demanded the exertnE
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and M
influence of their councils on the Interests
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerE
rarely more imposing spectacle has bed
offered to the world, and we shall seek !.
vain in the annals of nations, for an eya}|
more worthy OF commentator, and ofhenk
cherished forever in the hearts of ga GRATED
and generous people. The love Of indeNl}
dence is interviewer with the, frame andcaE
stitution of the human mind. 1t is aIni
the first sentiment that anImates the nfan|
features in the cradle and amongst all d
actions and enterprises of man, none b
awaked into activity greater exertion Of 4
virtuous energies of his nature, none haseIE
cited a greater warmth of veneraton. an
has more imperious claims upon our eraiE
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and poIitlc
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be
70 who has promoted the Cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity
man. The animated canvas and brealbiha
marble have rescued his features from Id
grasp of death, and the pen of the historic
has inscribed the achievements to the imp.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetual
of our republican institutions to discover
insensibility to the obligations we owe aI
memory OF the iilustrIoLs patrons OF America
freedom. They have raised us, by tk l.
magnanimity. from Inc arbitrary dominioneE
foreign power, to the distinguished eleyarE
OF a sovereign and independent people th{'
have asserted and maintained the imprescuI4
tioIe rights of humanity by the "muul
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeirih
tunes and their sacred honors - and, ashl
as virtue holds her empire in the heart:
their successors, the example of these gem
rous benefactors will notbe lost to the Wor.
their names will not pass away nor be forge
ten, OF their glorious deedsabe confounded
ingratitude is vice that in nations, as we
as individuals, indicates the last degree
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice til
implies the absence of every virtue il wa|
in the age of Caligula that the name OF d4
SCipios was prescribed, that the state l
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
I" The glory of our ancestors is.the Iighlat
posterity," and the homage of the living eal
not be offered to the meTitsof the illustrp1
dead with an effectual or sterile admiratiGl
Great and splendid actions will seldom
achieved by men who have hum Die or old
nary objects in prospect. Ii is by contenPh
ting the life and character of those whoa
marked out from the multitude by their 60
nent qualities, that we become emulom
their virtues and their renown. The trophy|
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of 'ThensN
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and E
came the successful rival of bis fame. IbT
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapufR
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs u
round his hut the embIems of his father'sf'I
lOur.
More need not be said to enforce the ulh
of the publication we have undertaken, aa
which we now submit to the patronage ofcg|
fellow citizens. with hope, that from D
liberality of their encouragement, we sb'
be able to present il to the public worthy,
their appreciation. We must depend for b
illustration of'tnany of the characters Of Oh
biography, upon the generosity of theirsal
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US VII
whateverlnteresting materials may be in ths'Si
possession for which, with our grateful "
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF VI
entire ork as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, "a
contained in ten numbers. To the nll
will be pre6xed an appropriate froD,S
piece-an the work will be commtna3
with the declaration of independence, VI
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures,
a compendious detail of the proceedngt
congress, during the passage OF the j.,
Each OF the lives, unless when it is,
practicable, will be preceded by ~
ness of the person, engraved by the "a
artists in the United States. N
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, DasX
expressly for the purpose, and delivery
to subscribers at fsgo dollars and tftyes'k
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received atthis otless
October I8