Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-31
By JOHN S.q.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertioh
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 commemoratien, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. I'll. love of inJepen-
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con-
stution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the hrst sentiment that anImates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth of veneration, 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 he
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, and the pen of the histor;;, =
has inscribed the achievements TO the inl ?.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indie ID
be no favor lb!e prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
| insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
a foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tio!c rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their So cred honors :" and, as long
As virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous bcnetsctors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedin
! tie common and casuai transaction OF life
| Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
| as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
dcgeneracy and corruption ii is vice that
! implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of Caigula that the name OF the
| Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brougl t death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of (
posterity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the illustrous {
| dead with al efectual or sterile elimination
| Great and splendid actions will seldom lie
achieved by men wEo have hum Die or old.
! nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempla'
| ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become cluous j
lheirvirtues and tbeirrenoWn. The trorhiG
ofMiltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Thtmi::
| tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fred with lis spirit, and he.
came the successful rival of lis fame The
| rude savage of the desert listens With rapture
! to the deeds OF his ancestors, and hang. a
round his hut the emb!ems ofhis fdtLersw
| l0ur.
More need not be SAID TO enforce the utility
| OF the publication We have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage Of our
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from The
| liberality OF their encouragement, VIC shall
| be able 10 present it TO the public WORTHY Of
their appreciation. We must depend for The
| illustration OF many of the characters CT ouf
biography, upon the generosity Of :heirsu1rr
ylving relatives and friends, TO furnish as VIII
possession; for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of lhs
entire ork "a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubiiihed in number@
halt volumes of eco pages, octave, ana
contained in ten numbers. TO The bF'
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts
piece--and the work will he commence
withthe declaration of independence, WIN
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, ana
a compendiou: detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when il is ID
! practicable, will be preceded Ivy lht
ness Of the person, engraved by the be
| artists ia the United States.
/ III. 1t will be printed on fire paper. msCj
expressly fer the purpose, and telrer
! to subscribers at tsro dolIars ana. ftt5 CT"
pernumbcr, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received al tins oHes'