Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-21
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PURIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed N
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tbe
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 generoes people. The love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the.frame and con.
stltutlon OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
aWaked INTO activity greater exerton OF the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the he.
TO who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
man. The animated canvas and breathing
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 Bile prognostic of the perpetuy
of our republican institutions to discover an
nsensbilty to the obligations we owe tie
memory of TIE illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the mpresCrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
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 10 the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be Contoundedin
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 A; it is vice that
implies the absence OF every virtue il was
in the age Of Caigula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state 0!
BrutuS brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the ligbtol
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the iustrlou.
dead with an effectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or ord-
nary objects in prospect. 1t sby centemPla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emI.,
nent qualities, that we become emuouS o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Mltiades interrupted the sleeps OF ! hemIS:
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, ard De-
came the successful rival of his fame Inc
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and bangs a.
round his hut the emblems ofhis tatheT'S'a
lour. r,u
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit TO the patronage OF
fellow citizens. with hope, that from ,lpE T
liberality of their encouragement, we 'n'T
be able to present it to the public worthy =,
their appreciation. We must depend for Ins
illustration of many of the characters Of ou
biography, upon the generosity OF theIF s9'
vving relatives and friends, TO furnish Us wi"
whatever interesting materials may be 10 w.
possession for which, with our grateful ~.
acknowledgements, we promise copy o. 'D'
entire W ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubiihed in nunoess ~, u
half volumes of 600 pages, octave CAL g."
contained in ten numbers. 10 me ns
will be prefxed an appropriate lC nDs3
pie,e-and the work will be commenS;s,b
with the declaration of independence, n"55
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, a aDo
a compendious detail of the procee 20 isw
congress, during the passage OF the '$ IN.
Each Of the lives, unless when II Is ,E b.
practicable, will be preceded by nv
ness of the person, engraved by ne ~
artists in the United States. ,dp
II. It will be printed on fine paper, . mS@ii
expressly for the purpose, and oe lI'.,st,
to subscribers at tao dollars ana Jy'y'"''
number, payable on delivery s,o
~ Subscriptions re ceived at this ONT II