Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-07
BY JOHN S.q.NDERSOY
TO THE PURITr


When we consider the personal or.I;,;,.
of the statesmen whose names are alE na'1', :,
the Declaration Of independence tba NV !"
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deIiberation. and ,be
influence OF their councils on the Interests ni
mankind, we must acknowledge that yeru
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration, and Of heinz
cherished forever in The hearts Of gratpiiIi
and generous people. The love of i6depen-
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stltuIon OF the human mind Ii is almos,
the fist sentiment that anlmates the infant
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exeTion Of the
vrluous energies Of his nature, none has ex
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
has moro imperious claims upon our graf.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and politlca
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute .,
genius has been paid 10 the patriot or the be.
TO who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignityO
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-
rishabIe records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic Of the perpetuily
OF our republican institutions 10 discover au
insensibllity TO the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanImlty, 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, their Tor
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 beneiactors will not be lost to the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
tcn or their glorious deeds be confoundedl in
he common and casual transaction Of life
Ingratitude is a vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption 1t IS a vice tia.
implies the absence Of every virtue It was
in the age of Caligula that Ihe name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the stale Of
Brutus brought death OH lis possessor.
" 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 l!Iustriou5
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom De
achieved by men who have humble or orGI'
nary objects in prospect. II shy contempIs'
ting the life and character OF those VINO are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulouS o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleepsoi heIlis
tocles; and Theseus, hearing The e1Pioi'5 u
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, ana ~, Us'
came the successful rival OF his fame ne
rude savage OF the desert listens WIN rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, ana nahs'
round his hut the embems OF his tathef s'a-
lour. ,,..
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of The publication we have undertaken anu
which we now submit TO the patronage OF oul
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tl Il
liberality of their encouragement, we snd't
be able 10 present il to the public worthy o.
their APPRECIATION. We must depend tor the
illustration OF many of the characters Of on
biography, upon The generosity oil ;hclI sG ;.,
wing relatives and friends, to iurnlsh Us W..
misunderstanding materials may ne 10 D ine y.
possession; for which, with our gratelufi az. az
acknowledgements, we promise copy oi '"'
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed Innunloefs sd u
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave s Sr
contained in ten numbers. 10 me ui,.
will be prefxed an appropriate lion n'5
piece-and the work will be commen1 .;I
with the declaration of independence, n a"5
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures $50 arJ
a conpendiou; detail of the proceetalD7is,wU'
congress, during the passage OF Tue IL; In.
Each OF the lives. unless when IL IS , In,
practicable, will be preceded by 'I he's
ness of the person, engraved BY Inc D'1
artists in the United States. o3o
II. It will be printed on fine paper ; mnpd
expressly for the purpose, ana 1 G,,'ecns
TO subscribers at ta,o dollars ana Jvfy ''"''
per number, payable on delivery oti 90
~ Subscriptions received at this OH e. #
October 10