Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-02
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC


TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaEt;es
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration OF independence, the perj.
ious occasion which demanded the exertion
oil their wisdom and deliberation. and tho
influence OF 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 commemoraton, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepep.
dence is interviewer with the.frame and con
stltuiion OF the human mind. II 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 exertion OF the
vrtuous 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 tbe 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 mpe-
rlshabe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetui,y
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility TO the obligations we owe the
ri hi
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 impresCIip-
tioe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
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 benefactors will not be lost to The world;
their names will not pass away nor be folgol-
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction OF life -
lDgrattude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption il is a vice that
implies the absence OF every virtue il was
in the age Of CaIgula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state o.
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
+" The glory OF our ancestors is the light 0!
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the ilIu>trious
dead with an efectuaI or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or Ord'
nary objects in prospect. Il is BY conemp!a'
ting the life and characte OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous OF
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF | bemls-.
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be
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 his hut the emblems fhis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
jiberality OF their encouragement, we sDaii
be able to present it to the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend tor the
illustration OF many Of the characters Of ouI
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US T'tn
whatever interesting materials may be IN theE
possession for which, with our grateful ae-
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of WT
entire DIRK az compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed innumoeFS O.
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, s spe
contained in ten numbers To The Dis
will be prefxed an appropriate Ton'E]g
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declarations of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, anu
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it Is IN
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness of the person, engraved BY the pe''
artists in the United States. ;.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and dellyelS we're"
to subscribers at f1ro dol'ors and yt3tycef''
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this o1lce'