Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-20
BIZ JOHN &.qNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ HE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal uusli,a
of the statesmen whose names are affixed (
the Declaration of independence, the per. s
lous occasion which demanded the exern
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and h,
influence of their councils on the Interests d
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. Ye, 4
rarely more imposing spectacle has been s
offered to the world, and we shall seek /,
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeR \
cherished forever in the hearts of erateiv
and generous people. The love of indeps
dence is interviewer with the, frame andop 3
stitution of the human mind. 1t is alnse 6
the first sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all d
actions and enterprises OF man, none BE-
awaked into activity a greater exertiondt
virtuous energies of his nature, none hasa
cited greater warmth of veneratiOD, adj
has more imperious claims upon our gad
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and pOlla
aggression.
In all republican states the first trbut.a
genius has been paid to the patriot or the be, .
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty an!
maintained the independence and dignilyah
man. The animated canvas and breatbiy B
marble have rescued his features from Ii! ;
grasp of death, and the pen of the historic |.
has Inscribed the achievements 10 the inpt
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be 90 favor BILE prognostic of The perpetuil {
Of our republican institutions to discoversl
insensibiiity to the obligations We owe te /
Of
freedom. They have raised US, by thst
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion d
foreign power, to the distinguished elevaiid
of sovereign and independently people theE
have asserted and maintained the imprescriE
tiole rights of humanity by the 'mutui
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirlG /
tunes and their sacred honors - and, asl@
as virtue holds her empire in the heart:
their successors, the example Of these gels
rous benetactors will not be lost 10 the WORT
their names will not pass away nor be loIeG 4
ten, or their glorious deeds be confOundedl F
the common and casual transaction OF life
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as We
as individuals, indicates the last degree d
degeneracy and corruption it is vice tha
implies the absence of every virtue; il Wa
in the age Of Caligula that the name OF tb.
Scipios was prescribed, that the state o
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the lighi@
posterity," and the homage Of the living CAL
not be offered to the merits of the iIusir0H
dead with an effectua or sterile admnatCn
Great and splendid actions will seldom Il
achieved by men wEo have hum Die or GtF
nary objects in prospect. 1t is By contenP'
ting the life and character c. these whoaf
marked out from the multitude by their en-,
nent qualities, that we become enulCu:
their virtues and their re nown. The tropics
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of rhent.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the ezpclrd
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, AID tt
came the successful rival of his fame. ~
rude savage OF the desert listens with raPluf
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs T.
round his hut the emblems This fatherSu'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
of the publication we have undertaken, na
which we now submit to the patronage olCar
fellow citizens. with hope, that from zoe
liberaliy of their encouragement, we sh'I
be able to present it TO the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend Tor lN
illustration OF many of the characters OF oD
biography, upon the generosity OF thelfsat
viying relatives and friends, ieiurnish US WIZ
whatever interesting materials may be in thh
possession for which, with our grateful a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy oil Nv
entire York as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiibed in number;c;; 3,
half volumes of 200 pages, octavo, anu
contained in ten numbers. To the d."
will be prefxed an appropriate ironls
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration Of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, apu,
ccmpendious detail of the proceedings.
congress, during the passage OF the s"'
Each OF the lives, unless when il is Iu
practicable, will be preceded by IKE
ness of the person, engraved by the %"
artists in the United States. !.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, maui
expressly for the purpose, and delivery,
to subscribers atrtWo dollars and GtyeHA'
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this ofes'
October 10