Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-28
By JOHN .S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence, the pei.
lous occasion which demanded the exerton
OF their wisdom and delberation, 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 the hearts of grateful
sanG generous people The love Of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion OF the
vrtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
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 Of
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 bile prognostic Of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibiity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory Of tie illusrioLs 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 imprescTip.
tiole 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 benetactors 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 -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence ut every virtue ii was
in the age Of Caligula that the name of the
Scspios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus 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 illuStriOus
dead with an effectuai or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have mum Die or ordI.
nar- objects in prospect. II Shy contempla'
ting the life and character OF those who arr
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become cmulous d
their virtues and their renown. The trophie!
of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps ct hemi. /
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploitsN
Hercules, was fred with his 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 bangs a.
round his hut the embiems of his father'sTa'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage oiouE 8
fellow citizens. with hope, that from Toe s
be able to present it to the public worthyd
their appreciation. We must depend for 1e
illustration OF many Of the characters OF OH
biography, upon The generosity of TIER . s;I,
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US EIs
WHdbtFtI IutcIcSltiS uhdttTidiS ibdJ ~ ~
possession for which, with cur gratefo.. AZ a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of W
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publihed in numbers
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, o.,
contained in ten numbers. To the d.
will be pre6xed an appropriate ironl,J
piece-and the work will be commehcsSS
with The declaration of independence, WIN
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, au
compendiou' detail of the procesdiDssvu'
congress, during the passage OF the hn'
Each Of the lives, unless when ii is ,l ID.
practicable, will be- preceded by Hks
ness of the person, engraved by the -
artists in the United States. II
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ms.S5
expressly for the purpose, and deliver.
to subscribers at TOO dollars and Jy1ya'"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this Office
0St0hpr IQ IL