Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-24
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PIJRIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
of the statesmen whose naNes are affixed n
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deiberation, 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 in
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 indepeno
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution Of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animaes 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 10 tyranny and political
aggressiom
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the he
ro who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
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.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrious patrons Of American
fl eedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and Independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
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 COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction OF lite -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue ii was
in the age of Caligula that the name of the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on lis possessor.
The glory OF our ancestors is the light OF
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the illustrlOus
dead with an effectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordI'
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.
nent qualities, that we become emulOus o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themis..
tocles aud Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. Ibe
rude savage OF the deser! listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs a.
round his hut the embiems of his iather'sTa.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
OF the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit to the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from Inc
liberality of their encouragement, we shali,
be able to present it to the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the characters OF our
Tvs i"PhJ, oPot 'hC SCuSiOoitg VI ,N III
vlying relatives and friends, to furnish us.Tl!n
whateverlnteresti1g materials may be i9 hsf
possession for which, with our grateful sC-
acknowledgements, we promise copy oil 'HS {
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
(. The work will be publiihed in numbers o1
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, s sna
contained in ten numbers. TO the ni"
will be prefxed an appropriate ironnsIi
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIN
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, ano,
compendious detail of the proceedngsO'
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is In'
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness Of the person, engraved by the De''
artists in the United States. :,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, nlaut5
expressly for the purpose, and deliFeTeu !
to subscribers at tho dollars and tttyes'"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received al this othce'
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