Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-02
By JOHN S.qNDERSO.N.
TO TIE PIIRIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 70
the Declaration of independence, the pen.
lous occasion which demanded the eyertjon
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 commemoraton, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Tn. love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stItution of the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of thu.
vIrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute CT
genius has been paid to The patriot or the he
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Gi
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from Inc
grasp of death, and the pen of the historja0
has inscribed the achievements TO The imre.
risbable records OF fame. II would indeed
be no favor bic proenostic of the perpetujtv
of our republican institutions to discover Il
nsensibiity to the obligations we owe tie
memory OF The iIluslrioLs patrons of Amelic; 4
freedom. They have raised US, by th.:
top .I,,,,, q
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, then for.
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Ok
then successors, the example Of these enc
rous benetactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be foieol.
ten, or their GLORIOUS deeds be conlounded 10
The common and casua transaction OF Lille -
lrgrattude IS vice that IN nations, as wen
as individuals, indicates tie last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice tlal
implies the absence OF every virtue il was
in the age OF CalIguIa that the name Of tie
Scipos was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
posterity, and the homage Of the living can.
not De offered TO The merits Of the IiusTio3
dead Wild an enectuai CT Slerlit aGniratIGI
Great aud splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hun1 Die OF o!d'
nary objects in prospect. Itisb b conf, npla
ting the life and character OF those who as
marked out from tie mftituoe IL theiI eni.
nent qualities, that We become enu'ous
their virtues and theirrenoWn. The lophia
otMiltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Tbemi
tocles; and Thescus, bearing the expIoitsG
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival Of Lis fame. TIE
rude savage OF the desert listens with Rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors. and hangs a.
round his hat the embems ofhis father'sw.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, end
which we now submit TO Tie patronage oforI
fellow citizens. with hope, that lrcm The