Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-25
BIZ JOHN SqNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaIi,,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed NJ
the Declaration of independence, the per
lous occasion which demanded the exenir
OF their wisdom and deliberahon, and,
influence of their coancils on the Interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, YER B
rarely more imposing spectacle has ks
offered TO the world, and we shall seek |,
vain in the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofber S
cherished forever in the hearts of grateiiE
and generous people. TIL. love of iideper
dence is interviewer with the. frame andca. s
stitution oflhe human mind. 1t is aIur s
the first sentiment that animates the infaul &
features in the cradle and amongst all d.
actions and enterprises OF man, none ha
awaked into activity a greater exertionoih
virtuous energies of his nature, none hag
cited greater warmth of veneration, anil
has more imperious claims upon our gnt
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribusa s
genius has been paid to the patriot or thete.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and !
maintained the independence and digniydE
man. The animated canvas and breaihig [
marble have rescued his features from ID, /
grasp of death, and the pen of the ListorM
has inscribed the achievements TO the imps
risbable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor .ble prognostic of The perpeuiJ
OF our republican institutions to disco'ea
insensibility to the obligations we owe th
memory OF The illustrioIs patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by then
magnanimjty. from tne arbitrary domincna
foreign power, to the distinguished elevatO
of sovereign and independent people; theJ
have asserted and maintained the imprescir
tiole rights of humanity by the "muuI
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirlF
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, askg
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts I
their successors, the example of these gen.
rous benefactors will not be lost to the word
their names will not pass away nor be forget
ten, or their glorious deeds be conioundedn
the common and casual transaction OF lie
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree d
degeneracy and corruption il is vice th'I
implies the absence of every virtue 1t wal
in the age of Caligula that the name Of ID:
Scpios was prescribed, that the state O.
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
g The glory of our ancestors is the Iigh'i
posterity," and the homage of The living can
not be offered to.the merits of the illusfnOH
dead with an efectual or sterile admlratl0n'
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or o1GF
nary objects in prospect. Ii is by contempt
marked out from the multitude by their erff
nelt qualities, that We become emu|ouSS O
their virtues and their renown. The tropha
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of henf,,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits"
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and &C.
came the successful rival of his fame. lIs
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptus
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs g.
round his hut the embiems of his fathersVa'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the uill'y
OF the publication We have undertaken, apa
which we now submit TO the patronage Olol
fellow. citizens. with hope, that from ny
liberality of their encouragement, we sNaI
NC dUie ~ HieSeill IL 10 the PUBIC VUluJ
their appreciation. We must depend for Toe
illustration OF many of the characters Of ol'
biography, upon The generosity of tbelrsua.
vIsing relatives and friends, to furnish US wa. !.
whateyerlnteresting materials may be IN inen
possession; for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise copy oil N'
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
i. The work will be publiihed in numbers y
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sslD a..
contained in ten numbers. To the ni"
will be prehxed an appropriate fronI,i,
piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration Of independence, via
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, sh'l
compendious detail of the proceedings"
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives. unless when it is TO-
practicable, will be preceded by l,Ss e,
ness of the person, engraved by tbe ce''
artists in the United States. J.,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, macs
expressly for the purpose, and de!Tel ss
to subscribers at tao dollars and Gfyee~'
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions re csived at this Once
October 10 II