Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-06
By JOHN S.fNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence. the ppri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiop
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence or 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
and generous people. The love of indepen.
dence IS interviewer with the.frame and con.
stItution OF the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that anlmaes the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
ylrtuous energies oil 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-
rshable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions TO discover an
insensibiity to the obligations we owe the
memory of the ilustroLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised ue, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion O.!
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, theirtor.
tunes and their sacred honors;" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts G:
their successors, the example OF these gene.
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world;
their names viii not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confounded in
the common and casual transaction OF lite
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of Calgula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state 0!
Brutus brought death on its possessoF.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light o.
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits Of the iluStTlouS
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or ordI'
nary objects in prospect. ii isby ccniempIa'
ting the life and character OF those who arc
marked out from the multitude BY their eml::
nent qualities, that We become emuouss o.
their virtues and their reDown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF henlS,.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1pl0lt; o.
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, aHd ,t 0e-
came the successful rival Of bis fame. Inc
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the emblems ofhis tatber's'a'
lour. .,
More need not be sa id to enforce the uiIIIy
of the publication we have undertaken ant
which we now submit TO the patronage Oh ~.
fellow citizens. with hope, that from 'L tI
Iiberality of their encouragement, we snSi;
be able TO present it to the public worthy U
their appreciation. We must depend 10Y lns
llIuStIduOn VI HdHJ VI tHc "h0- = .,,
biography, upon the. generosity oil t0eil sGt
viving relatives and friends, TO furnish Us W..
whatever interesting materials may ne 70 Ipe"
possession for which, With our grateful 30, 80
acknowledgements, we promise copy u w.
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihed nhuhDe'S 80, =;
half volumes Of 200 pages, oc'aSo' s sT
contained in ten numbers. To Inc W..
will be prefxed an appropriate Ion'"
piece-and the work will be conlutH .r;b
with the declaration of independence, W." .nJ
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures, aH ~;
a compendiou. detail of the proeeeSGl'IEEssU"
congress, during the passage OF lht 10? ;m,
Each OF the lives, unless when II j r T
practicable, will be preceded ~ Inv Ls,,
ness of the person, engraved by 'ns ~
artists in the United States. .ode
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mapd
expressly for the purpose, and d EN- emf,
TO- subscribers at tao dollars and I3ty'""'
pernumber, payable on delivery n,a
~ Subscriptions received at this o~t II