Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-29
By JOHN S.q.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PIIRIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed TO
the Declaration OF independence. the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiou
OF their wisdom and deiiberation, 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 10 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 indepen..
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con-.
stitution of the human mind. It 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 exertion of the
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneration, 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 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 lble prognostic of the perpetuiy
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory of The ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
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 life -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as weR
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degener7cy and corruption ii is a 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 Of
Brutus brought death on its 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 ilIustriouS
dead with an effectual OF sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordI-
nary objects in prospect. II is BY contempla.
ting the life and character OF those who ar?
marked out from the multitude by their emf
pent qualities, that we become emulous c!
their virtues and their renown. I he trophies
of Miltades interrupted the sleeps Of Themig.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits Ct
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and bangs G.
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit TO the patronage toul
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
llberality OF their encouragement, we shan
be able to present it to the public worthy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration of many of the characters OF ouF
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish US WID
whatever interesting materials may be IN tHH
possession for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise copy oil H'
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers o.
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, SDa
contained in ten numbers. To the III"
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronts
piece--and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, anu
compendious detail Of the proceedings o.
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is m
practicable, will be preceded by Ike
ness of the person, engraved by the b's'
artists in the United States. III
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and deliveT@u
to subscribers at tao dollars and tSflycsa
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this office.
October l8 II