Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-27
By JOHN S.qWDERSON'.
TO THE PUBLIC.

ny JCIIJf DIV DCnOCJf.
TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertiou
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the
influence OF their councils on the interests OF
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek IL
vain in the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen-
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con-
stltution OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the tlrst sentiment that anlmates 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 generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance TO 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 O!
man. 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.
risbable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible pTognostic of the perpetUily
OF our republican institutions TO discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion @!
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independent people they
have asserted and maintained the inprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the "mutua
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirfor
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 tie world:
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED 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
Scipios was prescribed, that the state 0!
Brulus brought death on its possessor.
ne glory OF our ancestors is the light 0!
and the homage OF the living can
not be offered to the merits of the ilustrioug
dead with an effectUaI or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY contempla' /
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf I
nent qualities, that we become emuous o.
their virtues and their renoWn. The trophe;
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of hemis.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploitsO
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival of his fame The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
10 the deeds of his ancestors. and bangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his fatheT'sFa'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit TO the patronage Of oUf
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality of their encouragement, we s1ah
be able TO present it to the public worthy r
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the characters OF oOI
toSi"Phy, "Pop 'hc GCHSIOcltD W 49, At
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US VIE
interesting materials may be in ne.
possession for which, with our gratetu!! &C
we promise copy Of 'Os
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in DUnDe'O;;
half volumes of 200 pages, octave S sss
contained in ten numbers. To the D."
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, VIII
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, an,
a compendiou: detail Of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives. unless when it IS ,p'
practicable, will be preceded by IKE.
ness of the person, engraved BY The be'
artists in the United States. J..
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and dellyeIen
to subscribers at too dollars ondJYtytFp''
pernunber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this ot5ce'
nc+obnr II