Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-26
By JOHN S.4NDERSON,
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oua|i,;os
OF the statesmen whose names are aifyed n
the Declaration OF independence. the NOR,
lous occasion which demanded the eyert;on
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and tbs
influence OF their councils on the interests n &
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 the hearts of gratehS E
and generous people. The love of iHdepen.
dence is interviewer with theeframe and con.
stitutlon OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the hrst sentiment that anlmates the infanpsk
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion OF the !
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneratioB. and
has more imperious claims upon our grati.i
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny aud POLITICAL
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be-
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity 0.
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from the
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor rble prognostic of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory OF the ilustroLs 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 they
have asserted and maintained the impresCrip-
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeirfOr-
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts q
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benefsctors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED IN
the common and Casuai transaction OF lie -
ingratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
1eeeneracy and corruption it is vice that
il plies the absence of every virtue il was
IN the age Of Calgula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor
I" 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 lIustTlouS
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordI-
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by ContempIa'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude ~ then eml..
nent qualities, that we become emuIOuS o.
their virtues and their renown. he trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF ihemiS;.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and BE-
came the successful rival of his fame Inc
rude 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. ,r.r
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit TO the patronage OF ouI
FELLOW citizens. with hope, that from 'ns
liberality of their encouragement we sp'I
be able to present it to the public worthy
tnelr appTODdllOu. we huot ocfS"N =.
Illustration OF many OF the characters OF ou'
biography, upon The generosity OF Their SUI,
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish Us WI"
whatever interesting materials may be n IneI'
possession for which, with cur gralelTfi a. a..
acknowledgements, we promise copy Oh u"
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be published in numbers ri ri
half volumes of 200 pages, octave e ent
contained in ten numbers. ] ne W..
will be prefxed an appropriate Hon ..3
piece-and the work will be conHenI,,bb
with the declaration of independence, wa
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, aD "
compendious detail OF the proeeealnTSSww'
congress, during the passage OF me i? ir'
Each OF the lives, unless when II i rT 10,
practicable, will be preceded by a I tas,
ness of the person, engraved ~ Inc De'
artists in the United States. 40
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper ~. mad I'D
expressly for the purpose, and deii' t.s,t
to subscribers at t1o dollars ana JJty |'"''
pernumbeT, payable on delivery r..
~ Subscriptions received at this oDle.'