Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-12
By JOHN S.qJNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed h
the Declaration of independence, the pen.
lous occasion which demanded the exerp,
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and b,
influence of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that ver7
rarely 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 commemoratiOn, and OF beis +
cherished forever in the hearts of grattfI
and generous people. The love of inJepep.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. Ii is almos /
the first sentiment that animates the infanti
features in the cradle and amongst all thE
actions and enterprises of man, none haE
awaEedinto activity greater exertion Ofd.k
virtuous energies of his nature, none has erE
cited greater warmth of veneration, anaF
has more imperious claims upon our gratiE
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute cI
genius has been paid to the patriot OF the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity oil
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from hs
grasp of death, aud the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the imp..
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic of the perpetuiy
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibillty to the obligations We owe th.
memory Of the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independents people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescnp.
tole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeirtorF
TUES and their sacred bonors - and, as Ion.
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts
their successors, the example of these gene I
rous benefactors will not be lost to the word
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be conioundedhI
The common and casual transaction of tfe-I
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree oil
degeneracy and corruption il is a vice thsi
implies the absence of every virtue il wa
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 ligbto
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the illustrioG
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempIs
ting the life and character OF those who at
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulous
their virtues and their renown. The tropics
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of TEENS
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploilsdI
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and BEL
came the successful rival of his fame IEI
rude savage OF the desert listens with raphE
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs
round his hut the emblems ofhis father'sW'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage Ofoi
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lR
liberality OF their encouragement, we sh'i
be able to present it to the public worthye
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many of the characters OF oul
biography, upon the generosity of theirsulI..
viving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whateyerlnteresting materials may he intnei
possession for which, with our gratefslit
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF Ips
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numberel
half volumes of goo pages, octave, sIs
contained in ten numbers. To the Dr.
will be prefxed an appropriate fronlI;
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES oftbe signatures, app
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the las
Z Each Of the lives, unless when ii is ,II p|
practicable, will be preceded by lssI|
ness of the person, engraved BY the p'
artists in the United States. !.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mssi
expressly for the purpose, and dellye'.rr
to subscribers at fwo dollars and tftyesD
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this omst
October l8 u