Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-01
By JOHN S.qNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaIh..
of the statesmen whose names are affixed u
the Declaration of independence. the neG
lOus occasion which demanded the eyerion
OF their wisdom and deIiberation. and Il,
influence Of their councils on the interest, Ol
mankind, we must acknowledge tha,yer
rarely a more imposing spectacle has been
offered TO the world, and we shall seek n
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commentator, and ofbery
cherished forever in the hearts of gratpil
and generous people. TIL. love of inJepeD.
dence is interviewer with the. frame apdcoD.
stitution of the human mind. II is almost
the iirst sentiment that anlmateS the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all n,
actions and enterprises OF man, none Ia:
awaEed into activity a greater exerion Of he
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our graf.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot or hehe.
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 tbe
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the mpe
rishable records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor tble prognostic of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discOyetaR
insensibiiity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
lnagnanimity. from the arbitrary dominicnO
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, theirfOr.
tunes and their sacred honors )" and aslOHg
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 forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be coniounded in
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 il is vice that
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF The
Soipios was prescribed, that the state OF
Brutus brought death on lis possessor.
s. The glory of our ancestors is the llghlol
posterity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the ilusiHOu'
dead with an ehectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom gs
achieved by men wEo have humble or olGl'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contemPa
ting the lie and character oi those who are
marked out from the multitude by their enl..
ncnt qualities, that we become emulOu; /"
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
ofMi!tiades interrupted the sleeps Of JhenE.
tocles and Theseus, hearing The exploits
Hercules, was fred with his spirit. and T.
came the successful rival of his fame. lie
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors. and hangs a.
round bis hut the embiems ofhis f4ther''N'
Jour.
More need not BE said to enforce the utIIIY
of the publication we have undertaken, apu
which we now submit to the patronage olCn
fellow citizens. with hope, that from ~
liberality of their encouragement, we sDsy
be able to present it 10 the public WORTHY y
their appreciation. We must depend iorN
illustration OF many Of the characters O. 0"
biography, upon The generosity Of tleH:aiEs
wing relatives and friends, toturnlsh Us FIH
whateverInterestiDg materials may be in i1ea
possession for which, with our grateful a. a.
acknowledgements, We promise copy Of W.
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihcd in numbers
halfyolumes of 200 pages, octave, ~, ~,
contained in ten numbers. Tic tbe DE-
will be prsfyed an appropriate iTcHIsI
piece--and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES oftbe signatures, d"
compendiou: detail Of the proctedIIgssr
congress, during the passage OF the $ ~,
Each OF the lives, unless when 1t is l IT,
practicable, will be preceded by ~ ~.
ness of the person, engraved by Tie ~
artists lathe UnitedStates. ID
II. It will be printed on fine paper, mS ,si
expressly for the purpose, and celN 'ary
to subscribers at tsco doilors andJyfy'"
rernumber, payable delivery H..
ny Subscriptions re cciyed al this 0p.'