Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-31
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaIitie,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed fl
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exerion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, yey
rarely a 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 oibejng
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Th. 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 exerton of the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of veneration and
has more imperious claims upon our grati
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 iron. The
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO The impe.
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of The perpetuily
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
. A.
freedom. They nave raised US, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people, they
have asserted and maintained the imprescnp.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge of their pledge of their lives, therfor.
tunes and their sacred h0nors :" 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 confoundedin
the common and casual transaction of fife
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption ii is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Slipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its pOssessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the Lighted
posterity,' and the homage of the Living can.
not be offered to the merits of the ilIuStrioH
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY conenpa.
ting the life and chara cter OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by then enl..
nent qualities, that we become emulCus o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of 'lhemE,
tocles and Theseus, bearing the expIoiso
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be"
came the successful rival of bis fame. 1be
rude savage of the desert listens with raPluEe'
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs q"
round his hut the enblems of bis father'sw"
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, aDc
which we now submit to the patronage otoi
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lhe
Iiberality of their encouragement, we shai
be able to present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend for he
illustration OF many of the characters OF OUT
biography, upon The generosity OF ;helrsu!ir.
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US WIN
whateverlnteresting materials may be in then
possession; for which, with our graleiu!! sS
acknowledgements, We promise copy OF 'N
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed in numbeFe
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, s any,
contained in ten numbers. TO the d..
will be prefxed an Appropriate tronlr
piece-and the work will be conmtms.II
with the declaration of independence WIZ
engraved fac SMILES ofthe signatures, spD
compendious detail of the proceedIngs~
congress, during the passage OF the Gn
Each OF the lives, unless when II IS ,h ~
practicable, will be preceded by m h.a 4
ness of the person, engraved by Inc D''
artist. 10 the United States. I'D,
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper mssil
expressly for the purpose, ana a sn"ftrs !
to subscribers at tuo dollars and ty'y"'
pernumber, payable on delivery .sc, I
~ Subscriptions received at this oRtt