Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-03
BIZ JOHN S.aNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE. PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qusifa
-of the statesmen whose names are affixed /
the Declaration Of independence, the pen
lous occasion which demanded e exertm
OF their wisdom and deliberati6n, and k {
influence of their councils on the Interests IA
mankind, we must acknowledge that ven
rarely more imposing spectacle has bee.
offered TO the world, and we shall seek 4.
vain in the annals of nations, for an even 7
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbevB
cherished forever in the hearts of gratea
and generous people. The love CT inJep.E
dence is interviewer with the. frame and caF
stitution ofthe human mind. Ii is alngs
the first sentiment that animates the infan,'
features in the cradle and amongst all III;
actions and enterprises of man, none EsS
awaEed into activity greater exerton OFF,
virtuous energies of his nature, none bass
cited a greater warmth of veneration, ,lss
has more imperious claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and polita5
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or hehe
70 who has promoted the Cause OF liberty and
maintained the Independence and dignity III
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from tie
grasp of death. and the pen Of the historns
has inscribed the achievements to the irnps
rshable records OF fame. 1t would indtal
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetuiy
of our republican institutions to discoyer,p
insensibility to the obligations we owe th.
~ fhx,st crn,. of A
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevated
of sovereign and independent people tbsy
have asserted and maintained the imprescnp
tiole rights of humanity by the "mutu,l
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theiriGi
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as cg
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts y
their successors, the example of these gent
rous henefactors will not be lost to the worl
their names willnot pass away nor be foigG
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedls
| the common and casual transaction of life j
IDgratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree dl
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thaI
implies the absence of every virtue il WdI
in the age Of CaligHia that the name oil ths|
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Ill
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the lightd|
posterity," and the homage oftbeliyng can
not be offered TO the merits OF the illusiriGG
dead with an efectuaI or sterile admiratlQr
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who hare hum Die or odf|
nary objects in prospect. II isby contempr|
ting the life and character of those who anl
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulous 4
their virtues and their renowr, The trophhL
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of henf
tocles and Theseus, heating the exploiesf
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and tss
came the successful rival of his fame. II
rude savage of the desert listens with raptD
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs n
round his hut the emblems of bis father'su
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utlt
of the publication we have undertaken, all
which we now submit to the patronage ofCt
fellow citizens. with hope, that from u
liherality of their encouragement, we shJl
be able to present it to the public worthy q
their appreciation. We must depend for lR
illustration OF many Of the characters Of OF
biography, upon The generosity of ;heirn!s.
viving relatives and friends, to furnish Us VIII
whateyerinteresting materials may be in th''l
possession for which, with our grateful ,pl
Acknowledgements, we promise copy OF To-
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers,
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, s1l
containedi in ten numbers. To the hh
will be9refxed an appropriate fronig,
piece--and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, VIZ.
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures, ap
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the levy
Each OF the lives, unless when it is %:
practicable, will be preceded by a N
ness of the person, engraved by the Ds'I
artists in the United States. 4!
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, maei|
expressly for the purpose, and deliVeFs.I
to subscribers at tao dollars and JfftyeH'I
ernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this oillc INC;
October 70 u