Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-13
By JOHN S.qNDERSON,
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ousliiie,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed !
the Declaration of independence. the pe1i
lous occasion whicli demanded the exert.,
OF their wisdom and deiiberation. and Ils
influence OF their councils on the interests a
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. vetr
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 commemoraton, and OF beim
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepep.
dence is interviewer with the.frame and con.
stitution Of the human mind. Il is alnos
the hrst sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle ; and amongst all The
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity a greater exerton of The
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more lmperiOus claims upon our graf,
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In al republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to tue patriot or the be.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence End dignity o
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis ieatura from ID.
grasp of death, and the pen OF the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the imps
rishable records OF fame. II would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of the perpetui.y
Of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of de illustrious patrons OF America
freedom. They have raised us, by ther
magnanimi;y, from the arbitrary dominion Of
toreig power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and nainta med the imprescrip.
tioe rights of humanity by the ''mutus
pledge OF their pied &c of their lives, therfu.
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 benefsctors will not be lost TO the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedM
the common and casual transaction of life
lngratituds is vice that in nations. as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of CaiguIa that the name of the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state q
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the lighto(
posteriiy,o and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the ilIuStrioui
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom Lt
achieved by men wEo have hum BE OF ordi
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempt.
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emuIous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Thens
tocles and Theseus, hearing the eIplotsc
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
rude savage OF The desert listens with raptur
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the embiems OF bis fathersw'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce The utility
ct the publication We have undertaken, anc
which we now submit to the patronage ofcuI
fellow citizens. with hope, that from tG
llberality OF their encouragement, we ,h'Eg
be able to present it TO the public wortfyG
their appreciation. We must depend for tb'
illustration OF many of the characters Of cT
biography, upon he generosity of ;heir:al'
viviEg relatives and friends, to furnish Us Wiz
whatever materials may be in then
possession; for which, with our grateful a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF Inc
entire work as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be pubIiihcd in numbersoS;
half volumes Of eco pages, octave, ana
contained in ten numbers. TO The tn'
will be prehxed an appropriate fToDH',
pisce-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES OF the signatures, abo
eorpeDdious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when il il Inl
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness Of the person, engraved by The ts'
artists in the United States. ).
II. twill be printed on fine paper, maj
expressly for the purpose, and deliver.
to subscribers at tSo dollars and DfyfH'
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions re ceiyed at this once ss