Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-19
BIZ JOHN H.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PURIIC


TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualitje;
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 70
the Declaration of Independence. the PER-.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and The
influence Of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge tina: very
rarely a 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 commemoratlon, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Th. love of inJepen.
deDce is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of veneraton, 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 the patriot Or the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity 81
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features IRON the
grasp of death, and the pen of the histCriaR
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
risbable records OF fame Ii would indeed
be no favor tble pregEostic of The peIpetui.y
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibilty TO the obligations We owe tie
memory OF the lilustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanmity from the arbitrary dominion Of
aioreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people /; theg
have asserted and maintained the implestrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the "muual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirtoT.
tunes and their sd cred hpnors ;" and, as LONE
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benetactors will not be lost to the word;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casuai transaction OF lie -
lngratitudc 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
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its 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 iIlusIiOH
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have bpm Die or oIdt |
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempt
ting the life and character Of those who sr |
marked out from the multitude by their en- |
nent qualities, that we become emulous
their virtues and their renoWn. The t!ophla
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of ! hens.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the explot:d |
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and BE-
came the successful rival OF his iaEe. lie |
rude savage OF the desert listens lib rapture
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hang, a.
round his hut the embiems of his fathersN
iour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ara
which we now submit 10 the patronage Ctouf
fellow citizens, with hope, that irCn i@
Iiberaity of their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present it to the public wonhy~
their appreciation. We must depend iorils
illustration OF many of the characters 0! ou
biography, upon The generosity of ;bersuurr
vying relatives and friends, to furnish us Hll |
Wha teverin interesting materials may he in Hen
possession for which, with our grateful sr
acknowledgements, we promise copy oil luz
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will he pubIiihed numbers
half volumes of ECO pages, octave, 5 sas
contained in ten numbers. To the ID"
will be prefxed an appropriate lroD'I
piece-and the work viii be conn entt%
with the declaration Of independence: WY
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, a'V
compendious detail of the proceedings~
congress, during the passage Of the a az
Each OF the lives, unless when ii J., w.
practicable, will be preceded ty a ~, n.a
ness of the person, engraved ~ The O''
artists 10 the United States. ,1p
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, poo 1,sd,
expressly for the purpose, and c .d e,,o
to subscribers al tao dollars and CO"
pernumber, payable on delivery &C.
n n Subs riptinpS y. rpiVpu al Ills OH''N