Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-12
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.


When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 70
the Declaration of Independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and the
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. 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. Th. love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that aninates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion of The
vlrtuous energies OF bis nature, none basey.
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
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 he
TO 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 IRON The
grasp OF death, and the pen Of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the impe
rlshable records OF fame. 1t would inGted
be 10 favor lbe prognostic of The perpetuity
OF our republican institutions TO discoye! an
insensibliity TO the obligations we owe ihe
memory OF tle lllustiious patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised Us, by thei.
magnanimity from the arbitrary douincnc,
fore ign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp
tiole rights of humanity by the "mutua
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, thei for
tunes and their sd cred honors - and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors will moi be LOST to The world,
their names will moi pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedl
the common and casual transaction Of lie -
lDgratitude is a vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is a vice tba |
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF tie |
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brough death on its possessor.
II ne glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterlty," and the homage of The Grng can
not be offered to the merits OF The iIIusniOG \
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom l.
achieved by men who have hum Die or oItt
| nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY contempt
ting the life and character Of those wbOsr
marked out from the multitude by their ell
nent qualities, that we become enuIous
their virtues and their renoWn. I he uCpba
of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps 81 hens.
ocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fired With lis spirit, ard tr
came the successful rival OF bs fame. lie
rude savage of the desert listens with raplue
to the deeds of his ancestors, ard hang. a.
round his hut the embIems ofhis EathelsE
lour. II
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
of the publication we have undertaken, AID
which we now submit to the patronage Cogi
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from lDs
iberality of their encouragement, we slah
be able to present it to the public WORTHY
their appreciation. We must depend forih
illustration OF many Of the characters OF M
biography, upon the generosity OF ;hensg
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
WhateyernterestiDg materials may be in lpe
possession fer which, with our gratetus
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of W
entire " DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihcd innunber
half volumes of 200 pages, octave. ttl
contained in ten numbers. To the D."
will be prelixed an appropriate trcllIE
pisce-and the work will be comnono
with the declaration of independence,
engraved fac smiies of the signatures az
a compendiou: detail of the proceedhgEs
congress, during the passage OF the
Each OF the lives, unless when If IS Es
practicable, will be preceded by ' Iee
ness of the person, engraved by The "
artists 10 the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper; :r m
expressly for the purpose, and d na'asn
| to subscribers at two dollars andvy"
| pernumber, payable on delivery os,l
*x* Subscriptions received ibis oD
October rs