Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-24
BIZ JOHN .S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal quaIhs
of the statesmen whose names are affixed
the Declaration of independence, the pss
lous occasion which demanded the exerr
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and
influence of their councils on the Interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, ven
rarely more imposing spectacle has bee
offered to the world, and we shall seek
vain in the annals of nations, for an eyetH
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbey
cherished forever in the hearts of gTatetI
and generous people The love of inJep, s
dence is interviewer with the frame andc@ &
stitution of the human mind. 1t is alnH S
the first sentiment that animates the infGt &
features in the cradle and amongst all t &
actions and enterprises OF man, none hH
awaked into activity greater exertiondh
virtuous energies of his nature, none hsav
cited greater warmth of veneration, al
has more iuperous claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and pOlidGE
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute
genius has been paid to The patriot or theEt
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty an. Z
maintained the indepehc :nce and dignity al
man. The animated canvas and breahigF
marble have rescued his features from tel
grasp of death, aud the pen of the historal
has inscribed the achievements 10 the imp
rsbable records OF fame. 1t would indesi
be no favor lble prognostic of the perpetuNI
of our republican institutions to discoyeIaF
insensibility to the obligations we owe h (
memory Of The lIustroLs patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by thl 7
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominCnc
foreign power, to the distinguished eleyatG |
of sovereign and independent people; thg I
have asserted and maintained the imprescrP
tiole rights of humanity by the "muuI
pledge Of their pledge of,heir lives, then@ !
tunes and their sacred honors - and, aShg /
as virtue holds her empire in the -hearnd
their successors, the example of these gen:
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedTn
the common and casual transaction OF lie
ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is vice tLaI
implies the absence of every virtue II Wal
in the age of Caligula that the name OF The
Scipos was prescribed, that the state
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
4" The glory of our ancestors is the lighIol
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the illustrOI
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom Do
achieved by men who have hum Die or OlGF
nary objects in prospect. II isby contempt
ting the life and character OF those who ar
marked out from the multitude by their en.
nent qualities, that we become emuIous "
their virtues and their renoWn. The tropna
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of ] henF
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1ploIl;U
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and De-
came the successful rival OF his fame. lH
rude savage of the desert listens with rapluE
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hang; a.
round his hut the embiems Of his tathersVa
lour. m
More need not be said to enforce the utINyy
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit to the patronage Of ou
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lpI
liberality of their encouragement, we sA'pt
be able to present it TO the public worthy u
their appreciation. We must depend for lh
illustration OF many of the characters oil on
biography, upon the generosity Of ;heIfsai..
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish us WIN %
whateyernteresting materials may he IN lnsp
possession; for which, with our grateful a.
acknowledgements, we promise a copy oil A'
entire DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed nnumbers .
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, a..
contained in len numbers. 10 the w u.
will be pre6xed an appropriate lronlF,
piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, alu
compendiou; detail of the procee dInees. y
congress, during the passage OF the ls az
Each OF the lives, unless when il is ID, ID
practicable, will be preceded by inc M:
ness of the person, engraved by the w.
artists in the United States. i,
III. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mau'
expressly for the purpose, and deliver.
to subscribers at too dollars and ttfyce'"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ subscriptions received at this ONCE
October l8