Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-08
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed IA
the Declaration of Independence. the peT.
lous occasion which demanded the exertim
OF their wisdom and deIiberation, and Ii.
influence Of their councils on the Interests d
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, veY
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek i
vain i'll the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF beig
cherished forever in the hearts OF grate61 |
and generous people. The love of indepeD
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that animaes the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all The
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton OF The
vrtuous energies Of his nature, none has er
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and poliIcsI
aggression.
In al republican states the first tribute ii
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity n
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from IN
grasp of death, and the pen of the HISTORIC |
has Inscribed the achievements to the imp
risbable records OF fame. 1t would indte
be no favor lb!e prognestic of the perpetuiy |
of our republican institutions to discover a
inscnsibiIity to the obligations we owe 9e
freedom. They have raised US, by Their |
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominioDo
aioreign power, to the distinguished eleraiu
of sovereign and independent people theJ
have asserted and maintained the imprescIC
tiole rights of humanity by the "mutuI
pledge oil their pledge of their lives, theiIC. |
tunes and their sacred honorS )" and, as lOR |
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts d /
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 confoundedn
the common and Casuai transaction OF life -
lugratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption ii is vice tbat|
implies the absence of every virtue il was|
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state oil
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
/" The glory Of our ancestors is the lightCt
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered TO the merits of The iIlu,iIiOU
dead with an efiectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or oIdl
nary objects in prospect. 1t is By conitmpa
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude Ly their tDi
Dent qualities, thst we become tnuous 4
their virtues and then rehoWn. he Trophies
ofDliItiades interrupted the sleeps Of | htni'.
tocles and Theseus, hearing Tie exploits,
Hercules, was fred with his spirit abc tc
came the successful rival OF bis iare Tie
rude savage OF the desert listens th raplUs
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hang, a.
round his hut the emblems his fatEel'sw.
lOur.
More need not be said TO enforce the utility
Of The publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit 10 the patronage oioaF
fellow citizens. with hope, that from TIE
iberality of their encouragement, We shall
be able TO present it 10 the public worthy d
their appreciation. We must depend for The
Illustration OF many of the characters Of ou
biography, upon the generosity of ;beirsut,
vwing relatives and friends, to furnish us win
whatevermteresting materialsmay be in then
possession fer which, with our grateful az,
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF ll'
entire DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be Publiihed in numbero
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, ana
contained III ten numbers. To The Dr.
will be prefXed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work Will be copntDrsSa
with the declaration of independence. VIZ
engraved fac Smiles the signatures, ADJ
a compendiou: detail of the octedGgsO u
congress, during the passage OF the aN'
Each OF the lives, unless when it's Ip'
practicable, will be preceded by I,Sr
ness of the person, engraved BY The W.
artists ia the United States. -,
III. 1t will be printed On fine paper, may
expressly for the purpose, end deliver
to subscribers at too dollars and tJtyf''"
pernumber, payable on delivery
*.* Subscriptions received al this once
October l8