Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-31
By JOHN S.4JNDERSO.N.
TO THE pITRI.Ic

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of Independence. the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and delberation, 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 IN 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-
stltutlon OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
yirtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth of yeneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance 10 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-
rshable records OF fame 1t would indeed
be no favor bic Drognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican Institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations We owe the
memory of TIE ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion OF
foreign power to tie 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 O!
their successors, tie example of these gene.
rous benetactors will not be lost to the world:
their names VIII 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 well
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of CaligBla that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state 81
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
Z" 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 illustrious
dead with an effeCtual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or ordio
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempla-
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their reBown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themis-
tocles and Theseus, bearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapturs
to the deeds OF his ancestors, and bangs q.
round his hut the embems ofhis fathers va.
lour
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication We have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage ofour
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality OF their encouragement, we sbal!
be able to present it to the public worthy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many Of the characters OF our
biography, upon The generosity of their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US viii
whatever interesting materials may be in then
possession; for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of ~
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be puLliihed in numbers,
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the frs
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts,
pisce-and the work viii be commenced
with the declaration of independence, with
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures an,
compendious detail of the proceediugsoi
congress, during the passage OF the Law,
Each OF the lives, unless when il is i'm
practicable, will be preceded by Ike
ness of the person, engraved by the bea
artists in the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mad, n
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tao dollars and JJffyesTs
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this Office
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