Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-08
By JOHN &4.VDERSOv
to- THE pnRIIn

49,, TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the neyson.l o,.r,.
OF the statesmen whose names are afEysJ -
the Declaration OF independence. fbe nv "
lous occasion which demanded tho nx. pell-
OF their wisdom and dehberation and i' .Tn
influence OF their councils on the interests ot
mankind, we must acknowledge that verr
rarely more imposing spectacle haa beo;,
offered to the world, and we shall sest IN
vain in the annals of nations, for an euom,
more worthy OF commemorative, and Of be;na
cherished forever in the hearts of pr,teGI
and generous people. The love of i6denen'
dence is interviewer with he.frame and con.
stltutlon of the human mind. It is almo,,
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongs, all the
actions and enterprises of man, none ba;
aWaEed into activity greater exerlion of tbs
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of veneratop. and
has moro imperlous claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d
genius has been paid TO tue patriot or the be-
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignityct
NAH. 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 impe.
rishabIe records oil fame Ii would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic of The perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
TO the obligations We owe the
memory OF the iIlustrioLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanlmty, from the arbitrary dominion OF
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF a sovereign and independent people; tbeJ
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip"
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirioT.
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 forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be cOntoundedn
the common and casual transaction OF lie
lugratitude is a vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree q
degeneracy and corruption 1t |. vice thai
implies the absence OF every virtue ; II was
in the age of Caligula that the name Of ls
Scipios was prescribed, that the state o.
Bru,us brought death on its possessor.
$ The glory OF our ancestors is the ghtO
posterity," and the homage Of the living can,
not be offered to the merits OF the lIlustTiOu'
dead with an effectuaI or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom DC
achieved by men who have humble or olGI-
nary objects in prospect. II by ceh'ehpl6.
ting the life and character OF those VINO arc
marked out from the multitude BY thelf eH'It
nent qualities, that we become emulOu5 "
their virtues and their renown. Inc Ell, IIopniea
of Nliltiades interrupted The sleepsol ! htnli'
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exPio's %
was fired with his spirit, ana T Te.
came the successful rival OF bis fame nt
rude savage OF the desert listens WIN raP'ul''
TO the deeds of his ancestors, ana nahSs
round his hut the embiems OF lis latnef 'd'
lour. =, ,,;,~
More need not be said TO enforce the utllIy
Of the publication we have undertaken' co.
which we now submit 10 the patronage Oh o L.
fellow citizens. with hope, that from W." ~
liberality of their encouragement, we shaI
be able TO present it to the public WoTtny :"
their appreciation. We must depend ior Ius
illustration OF many of the characters OF ouI
upon The generosity oil men ~, sGt
wing relatives and friends, to furnish Us WV h.
interesting materials may De 10 in g.;
possession; for which, with our gralelu.i AZ, GS
acknowledgements, we promise COPY o. '''
entire FORK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihed innunoefs
half volumes of goo PAGES, 0ctayo' Srl
contained in ten numbers. 10 tI feon tic
will be prefxed an appropriate nUni
piece-and the work will be conlmen 9TH
with the declaration of independence, VI" .r5
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures nr ari
compendiou: detail of the process eGa law,
congress, during the passage, OF Toe :. 'i in.
Each OF the lives. unless when II rte-
practicable, will be preceded by ID hes hest
ness of the person, engraved ~ '''
artists 10 the United States. u,de
Il. It will be printed on tine paper a'I; co."
- snhscyibers at tpo dollars and tty ece"''
pernumber, payable on delivery cry. ofi &c.
y Subscriptions received at this OIL tt If
October 10