Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-30
By JOHN S.qJWDERSO.N
TO THE PUBLIC

TO THE PUBLIC
When we consider the personal o..rs
of the statesmen whose names are s9iy nUs
the Declaration OF independence. the NJ,
lous occasion which demanded The eys rte
OF their wisdom and deiberation. anJ%
influence OF their councils on the Interests
mankind, we must acknowledge tbs,v
rarely more imposing spectacle has bs.!
offered to the world, and we shall soeI
vain IN the annals of nations, for an ey.D,
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbsis.
cherished forever in the hearts of grats5
and generous people. Th. love of inden.'
dence is interviewer with the. frame and r~
stltution of the human mind Il is .ln..
the first sentiment that animates the infsrr,
features IN the cradle and amongst ali d,
actions and enterprises of man, none h.
awaked into activity greater exertion oflb.
vrtuous energies of his nature, none has q.
cited greater warmth of veneration AZ
has more imperious claims upon our erG
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and polite
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribvtpd
genius has been paid 10 The patriot or lheEe.
70 who has promoted the cause oil liberty and
maintained tbe'independenoe and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from he
grasp OF death, and the pen of the histCriap
has inscribed the achievements 10 The iupe.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic Drognostic of The perpeluily
of our republican institutions TO discover Al
insensibiiily 10 the obligations we owe he
memory Of tae illustrioLs patrons Of Aner,.n
freedom. They have raised us, BY her
maenanimity, from the arbitrary dominion {!
"A foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people; tie,
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights Of humanity by tie "muu.l
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeirio,
tunes and their sscred honors - and, as log
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts /.
their successors, the example of these gem.
rous benelactors will not be lost to the word
their names will not pass away nor be fuleo.
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedn
the common and casual transaction OF life -
lpgralitude is vice that in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree d
degeneracy and corruption il is vice lLaI
implies the absence of every virtue il vn
in the age of Caligula that the name Of be
Scipios was prescribed, that the state d
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
g The glory of Our ancestors is the lgbld
postevity," and the homage of he living Cen /
not be offered TO the merits OF the iIlusrCa
dead with all efectual or sterile admirslG /
Great and splendid actions will seldom /:
achieved by men WHO have humble OF or
nary objects in prospect. II is By CONTEMPT
ting the life and cliarac ter OF those wLO9I
marked out from the multitude ly theiret.I
nent qualities, that we become emulOus
their virtues and their renown. The tTUpls1
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Ct Ihens
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fired with lis spirit, and
came the successful rival Of MS fame. u
rude savage oil The desert listens with TsEHf
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bsEg's
round his hut the embiems Of his fsther:p
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the Gifl
Of the publication we have undertaken, 81
which We now submit 10 the patronage dgl
fellow citizens. with hope, that from II
liberali,y of their encouragement, Wesal
be able to present it TO the public WORTHY /
their appreciation. We must depend ta&I
illustration of many of the characpfs olGI
biography, upon The generosity OF ;htHM
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish psfS9!
whateyerlnteresting materials may lie iniA'
possession; fer which, with cur grsleb II
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of u
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in nunbeFtk
half volumes Of ECO pages, oclsyO
contained in ten numbers TO The D
will be prefxed an appropriate hcI'i
piece--and the work viii be ccmntTG
with the declaration of independents, ~
engraved iacsimiles ofthe SIGNATURES
eompendious detail of the proceedag,I
congress, during the passage OF tie = &
Each OF the lives, unless VIXEN it III
practicable, will Dc pfeeed1d by ~ IN
ness of the person, engraved ty the "
artists 10 the United States. d
II. Ii will be printed on fine paper, o.
expressly Tor the purpose, and deihs
TO subscribers at two do!tGTs ondI yy"
pernumber, payable on delivery ~
~ Subscriptions received al this oDs