Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-31
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N
TO THE PITRIJr

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ou.I;,..
of the statesmen whose names are aHyod 81
the Declaration Of independence the M;
lous occasion which demanded the eyo r,
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and tho
influence OF their councils on the interests a.
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
rarely more imposing spectacle Las been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain IN the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy oil commentator, and ofbeine
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen.
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stltulIon OF the human mind. Ii is almost
the hrst sentiment that animates the infants
features in The cradle (; and amongst all the
actions and eaterprizes of man, none has
aWaEed into activity greater exertion Of the
yIrtuouS 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 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 Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from the
grasp Of death, aud the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the impe.
riShable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic Drognostic Of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensbiIty TO the obligations we owe The
memory Of the ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp-
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge Of their pledge oftbeir lives, therlor-
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
he common and casual transaction OF life
Ingratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue /; ii was
in the age of Calgula that the name OF tn.
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posteTity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered TO the merits of the illusrloU
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great aud splendid actions will seldom os
achieved by men who have humble or oFal'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by conempla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emil.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Q!
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltades Interrupted the sleeps of ihemEIc
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit, and De-
came the successful rival OF his fame. me
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of bis ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embiems of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit to the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from me
iberality of their encouragement, we shsii
be abls TO present it to the public worthy ol
their appreciation. We must depend TOT Inc
lIluStIatioH vi uIdHy VI TIC eiioi"'
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur iiI
vlying relatives and friends, to furnish us WIN
whatever interesting materialsmay he IN ,neh
possession for which, with our gratetu! az
acknowledgements, we promise a copy oil 'De
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in nunbersoi
half volumes of 200 pages, octave s sns
contained in ten numbers. To the ni.'
will be prehxed an appropriate ironrJ
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, "I.Jd
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, avn
a compendiou: detail Of the proeeetdIngs~
congress, during the passage OF the s :,,,
Each Of the lives, unless when II is ,. 1m
practicable, will be preceded by Inc has.
ness of the person, engraved by the ''-
artists in the United States. ,de
II. It will be printed on fine paper, . mSed
expressly for the purpose, and d s6,,s,sss
to subscribers at too dollars ana. tyfy's"'
pernumber, payable on delivery os,s
~ Subscriptions received at this 0intI'
QrtOber IS