Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-04
Z By JOHN ,s.4NDERs0N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

III HE FUBLIt,
When we consider the personal oualiis
of the statesmen whose names are affixed d
the Declaration of independence. the per,
lous occasion which demanded the exertm
oil their wisdom and deliberation, andlbe
influence of their councils on the interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
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 commenoration, and OF heinz
cherished forever in the hearts of grated
and generous people. The love Of indepen
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution ofthe human mind. 1t is alm@ E
the first sentiment that animates the infahf.E
features in the cradle and amongst all hE
actions and enterprises of man, none bah.
awaked into activity greater exertion of&sE
virtuous energies ofhis nature, none haseI{
cited greater warmth of veneratioD, AID
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 be.
no who has promoted the cause OF liberty and|
maintained the independence and dignity oil
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 ble prognostic of the perpetuiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe The
memory of the 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 imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirior.|
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts d
their successors, the example of these gem
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world
their names willnot pass away nor be foigcts
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedhl
The common and casual transaction of life i
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree oil
degeneracy and corruption !; il is 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 oil
postei;ty," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the lIustrIoG
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordl
nary objects in prospect. Ii is By conlempa.
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous d
theirvirtues and their renosn. The trophla
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themls
-tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploilsd|
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and bel
came the successful rival of his fame. T.I
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptusl
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs q.
round his hut the emblems ofhis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the uiilfII
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit to the patronage OF CA
| fellow citizens. with hope, that from lns
liberality of their encouragement, we shan
| be able to present it to the public worthy "
their appreciation. We must depend for lbe
illustration OF many of the characters of oT
| p'OSIdPHJ, uPoh tuC SCHCiooit( vi ,"S"
vr,ing relatives and friends, 10 furnish US VIII
! whatevermteresting materials may be in ther
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
I, acknowledgements, we promise a copy OF Ds
| entire work as a compensation.
/ CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbersGl
half volumes of goo pages, octave, an
contained in ten numbers. To the ms lI!
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronl.,
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration Of independence, WIN
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, ana
| a compendious detail of the proceedings
| congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives. unless when it is ID
| practicable, will be preceded by lIS.'
ness of the person, engraved by The De'
| artists 10 the United States. !,
II. II will be printed on fine paper, maois
expressly for the purpose, and delivers y,
| to subscribers at foo dollars and fifty es''
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this once
October 10 II