Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-10
By JOHN S.qJNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When We consider the personal qualis,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed
the Declaration of independence. the p,T.
lous occasion which demanded the exerio,
OF their wisdom and deliberation. auda,
influence OF their councils on the interests \
mankind, we must acknowledge that YER
rarely more imposing spectacle has bee,
offered to the world, and We shall seek
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemorative, and ofbem
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. III. love of indepe,.
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
sttution OF the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle /; and amongst. all ii.
actions and enterprises OF man. none ha
awaked into activity greater exeriiondtts
vrtuous energies of his nature, none bias eI.
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grai
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d
genius has been paid to the patriot or thehs
ro who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breathiH,
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp OF death, and the pen of the hstOrisa
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetui!y
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations We owe The
nj fAo cfrIn frn. ~
freedom. They have raised US, by then
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a ioreign power, to the distinguished eeVatiol
of a sovereign and independent people thy
have asserted and maintained the impreNIp.
tiDle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tberor.
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, aslOng
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts o.
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors 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 life -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice ttal
implies the absence of every virtue f; it vas
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the,
Scipios was prescribed. that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
/" The glory of our ancestors is the lightoi
nos.er;tv s. and the HOMAGE of the living can.
mt he offered to The merits of the Iusfriou,
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and snlend;d actions will seldom bs
.cb;ovod hy mon 1yho baye hmm ,le or ordi.
nsrv oh;ecfs in nrosnec, /, ;s by coptenpls.
t;nS The I;fe apd cbar,c,or Of those who are
sns an. an az n,.,J,;,ndn hU ,be;r emi.
nant . liz; o H. ''e heno smnIous d
th aa, qua,m.es "a i1 .ha;, NC @ The trophes
] ; %,a tho eI:ons Of Tbemis.
taa,an nd , Thaaops ha wy ,Ps e,noilsd
tgoies Snu an s"1 , ned.;s .i and be.
lie,ou ,s 90 LII m,i nt ams The
cdihe .lle sucIessiu, iIsdi VI nls le :I r,n,ure
Iuce savage OF me ceselt listens WIN harg. a.
~ .ns ueeds W n's anIes'oi.' enC t ha Va.
IouIo us nut TIE eiiioiehis % h's i''n''
io1 NJ a -. tbe u,iljty
WORE neeu no. ee sdlu 70 e,ll Jn.ta lne and
VI .ht pup,lea.ioli We nav unuel.an ofo our
ss u y" ;s om ;,, u me .ae d .hot From bs
i; I nf tb.;r nupo mon, we shall
,loelai'y " .nea, en.ouiasu ,sE.' ,,or,hy 81