Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-11
By JOHN S.qNDERSON.
no THE PUBLIC.

~ w
TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouals.k
of the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence, the Do,
lous occasion which demanded the exertn{
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and ~
influence OF their councils on the Interests
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerI
rarely more imposing spectacle has bell
offered to the world, and we shall seek \
vain in the annals of nations, for an even
more worthy OF commemorative, and OF ben
cherished forever in the hearts of graei
and generous people. The love of indepep
dence is interviewer with the. frame and Con
stitution of the human mind. 1t is alma
the first sentiment that animates the infant
features in the cradle !; and amongst all NJ
actions and enterprises of man, none b,
awaked into activity greater exertion ofak
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has q
cited greater warmth of generation, az
has more imperious claims upon our gnt,
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and politlcf
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribu. ]
genius has been paid to the patriot or the hl
70 who has promoted the cause oil liberty an}
maintained the independence and dignity /
man. The animated canvas and breathin|
marble have rescued bis features from ID
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historic
has Inscribed the achievements to the inps|
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ,ble Drognostic of The perpetual
OF our republican institutions to discover Al
insensibility to the obligations we owe tod
memory of the illustrious patrons OF America
freedom. They have raised us, by theII
magnanimity from the arbitrary dominion d
foreign power, to the distinguished elevated
of a sovereign and independent people tIed
have asserted and maintained the imprescnpI
tiole rights of humanity by the 'muu
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirtnE
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as lor}
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts
their successors, the example Of these geEl
rous benefactors will not be lost to the wor.
their names will not'pass away nor be forea
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedl'
the common and casual transaction OF lite
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degret b;
degeneracy and corruption il is vice tha|
implies the absence of every virtue il WiI
in the age of Caligula that the name Of I'D
Scipios was prescribed, that the state d
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the ligbtoa
posterity," and the homage of the living carl
not be offered to the merits of the iIustriOa
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom q
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord
nary objects in prospect. Ii is by contempt
ting the life and character of those who ~
marked out from the multitude by their en1
nent qualities, that we become emulous
their virtues and their renown. The trophh|
of Miltades interrupted the sleeps Of IbenrI
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and q
came the successful rival of his fame. lf
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapu's
to the deeds of his ancestors. and hang. 4
round his hut the embIems of his father'snE
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utlfll
of the publication we have undertaken, 'HI
which we now submit to the patronage ofGhl
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from bsa
liberality of their encouragement, we sh'I|
be able to present it to the public WORTHY y
their appreciation. We must depend for DC
illustration OF many of the characters Of oa|
biography, upon the generosity of thelrn'
vlying relatives and friends, to furnish US Tnel
whatever interesting materials may be in ifeDI
possession; for which, with our gralefu! "
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF W
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, y.
contained in Ten numbers. To the hnI
will be prehxed an appropriate fToD'l
piece-and the work will be commeDfsss
with the declaration of independence, vii
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, ap'
compendious detail of the proceediress,J
congress, during the passage OF the b,I
Each OF the lives, unless when il is 81. y
practicable, will be preceded by Irs
ness of the person, engraved by the ~
artists 10 the United States. III
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, nasI
expressly for the purpose, and del lV ..,y|
to subscribers at two dollars and Jyy"'I
pernumber, payable on delivery E.
~ Subscriptions received at this ofatI'