Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-04
By JOHN S.4.VDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaI;t;e. /
! OF the statesmen whose names are affixed IN (
the Declaration of Independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exer,ion \
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence OF their councils on the interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge tha, yery
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 oil 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-
sttuton of the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst oil the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater eXertIon Of the
vjrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey
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 bave rescued his features from The
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe.
risbable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic rrognostic of the perpetuily
OF our republican institutions to discover 40
insensibiity to the obligations We owe The
memory Of tae illusfrioIs 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 impIescrp.
tiole rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tlieiror.
tunes and their SO cred honors )" and, as long
| as virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF
| their successors, the example OF these gene
rous tenetsctOrs Will not be lost TO The world;
their names will not pass away nor be toIgot-
| ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
! tie common and casual transaction OF lie -
| lngratitude is vice that in nations, asWcA
as individuals, indicates the last degree I'll
| dcsenerscy and corruption il is a vice tLat
| implies the absence Of every viItue il vas
! in the age Of Calgula that the name OF lNl
| Scipios was prescribed, that the state oil
| Blulus hfuugh lat death On its possesScr.
" The glory Of on ancestors is the light Of |
posterty," and the homage Of the liyl cen
not be offered to the merits OF the iliusiIicU
dead with an efectua or sterile admratiCa
Great and splendid actions wil seldom lie Il
achieved by men WHO have humble or ordt
nary objects in prospect. IL is b. conltnp% s
ting the lie and character Oh those who aH
marked out from the multitude by then chi.
nent qualities, that we become eaulous j
their virtues and tlieir lonoWn. The tIopbis S
OF Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF TktnIs.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fired with lis spirit, md he. 4
came the successful rival OF his fame. Tie
ruGe savage OF the desert listens v III rartUIe
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a
round his hut the emb ms OF his tethel'sH
Cur.
More need not be said to enforce The utility
OF the publication we have undertaken and
which We now submit 10 The patronage otori
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tbe
iGeraity of their encouragement, We shall
be able 10 present it to the public WORTHY oil
their appreciation. We n,ust derend for he
illustration OF many of the characters o. our
biography, upon the generosity OF ;heiI sur /
vWing relatives and friends, to furnish US Vim 1
wbateverlnteresting materials nay he in ibeif
possession; for which, with cur grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise COPY q tie
entire ork as compensation
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed innumbcr o.
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, .hai
contained il ten numbers. To tie tF'
will be prefXed an appropriate fronts;
piece--;,,d the work will be conn snt!s9S
with the declaration Of independence, win
engraved fac smiies fthe signatures, ara
compendiou: detail Of the proceedings 1
congress, during the passage Of the law
Each OF the lives, unless. when il is In'
practicable, will be preceded hy l,Se,
ness of the person, engraved ~ tie b@'
artists in the United States. II
Ii. 1t will be printed on fine paper. msut
expressly for the purpose, and dell'ele"5
to subscribers at taso-aollars and vfye""
pernumber, payable Oh delivery
~ Subscriptions received al this ONCE
/ 70 III