Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-21
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PJTRIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oustr.
of the statesmen whose names are afHyoJs
the Declaration of independence, the nav
Ions occasion which demanded the eyo ~
OF their wisdom and deiberaton. and n.
influence of their councils on the interest, u
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, vsr'
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek n
vain in the annals Of nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration. and ofbeiry
cherished forever in the hearts of a gafei1
and generous people. The love of jndener,
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. Ii i. aImo,
the first sentiment that anlmates The infant;
features in the cradle !; and amongst all Il,
actions and enterprises of man, none BIZ
awaked into activity greater exertion ofh,
virtuous energies of bis nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
has more imperious claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and pCIitIca
aggression.
In all republican states the FIRST tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity o.
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 imp..
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no tavorib!e prognoStic of The perpetuty
of our republican institutions to discover al
insensibiity to the obligations we owe The
memory of the illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
aforeign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and Independents people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescHip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge of their pledge of their lives, theirfor.
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 benefactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be Confounded in
the common and casual transaction Of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue it was
in the age of Caligula that the name Of the
Scipios was prescribed, that The state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the lIghioi
posterity," and the homage of The living can
not be offered TO the merits OF The llIuslT0I
dead with an eflectuaI or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or olGl
nary objects in prospect. 1t Shy conenpI''
ting the life and character OF those EEOds
marked out from the multitude by their eni..
nent qualities, that we become fmulOuS o.
their virtues and their repown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps CT ! hens,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1plCISa
Hercules, was fred With his spirit, ana o.
came the successful rival of his fame. lE
rude savage of the desert listens with raPtuF
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs J.
round bis hut the emblems Of his iathels~
iour.
More need not be said 10 enforce The uhfi
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit TO the patronage Oh
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from HS
Iiberality of their encouragement, we sn'i
be able 10 present it to The public WORTHY o
their appreciation. We must depend iOrr w
Illustration OF many of the characters Q! GU
bio; raphy, upon The generosity OF theTsM!!
viving relatives and friends, to furnish US VIII
whatever interesting materials may be in lheA
possession; for which, with our grateful q, 70
Acknowledgements, we promise cory Oh w.
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihed in numbers
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, a. y
contained in ten numbers. 10 Inc w
will be prefxed an appropriate lropg
psce-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of indepencence,Egi
engraved fac SMILES OF the signatures,m
xompendiou: detail CT the proeeedhesSv
congress, during the passage OF me ~
Each OF the lives, unless when II IS ISL.
practicable, will be preceded ny ' l's
ness Of the person, engraved ~ lle "
artists in the United States. .a.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, m~i
expressly for the purpose, and celfe 's,
to subscribers at t,yo dollars rnd ytysV"
pernumber, payable on delivery r..
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