Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-01
BIZ JOHN S.4NDERs0N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualitis
of the statesmen whose names are affixed b
the Declaration Of independence, the Der.
lous occasion which demanded the exerto,
OF their wisdom and deliberaton, and h
influence OF tbsir councils on the interests II
mankind, we must acknowledge that yer
rarely more imposing spectacle has beea
offered to the world, and we shall seek il
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF BEN,
cherished forever in the hearts of grateil Il
and generous people. Tue love of inJepen
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con- /
,stitution of the human mind. 1t is almuE
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all d. 4
actions and enterprises of man, none hu 3
awaked into activity greater eXertion OF IL +
virtuous energies o. his nature, none has a.
cited greater w;rmth of veneration, aNa
has more imperiOs claims upon our grst
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and poltIlH
aggression.
In all republica, states the first tribute d
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be. s
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescied bis features from the
grasp Of death, ard the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rishable records u fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE Tognostic of The perpetuily
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensiblity to The obligations we owe The
memory of he iIustrious patrons of American
freedom. Thg have raised US, by their
magnanimity, rom the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign powe, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereignnd independent people they
hive asseltedlnd maintained the imprescIp.
tiole rights II humanity by the "muual
pledge OF thsr pledge 0f their lives, theiriorp
tunes and ttir sacred honoFs :" and, as long
as virtue hqds her empire in the hearts d
their succesors, the example of these gene
rous benefctors will not be lost to the world
their mans will not pass away nor be folgo+i
ten, or tbir glorious deeds be conioundeda
the comron and casual transaction of life a
lngratitle is vice that in nations, as wei
as indiyduals, indicates the last degree NJ
degensacy and corruption it is vice thai
impls'the absence of every virtue il Was
in thage Of Caligula that the name OF the]
Scipis was prescribed, that the state d
Bruts brought death on its possessor.
"'be glory of our ancestors is the Lighted
postrity," and the homage of the living Can.
notbe offered to the merits of the illustricG
dea with an effectual or sterile admiration. /
Graf and splendid actions will seldom Be J
acleyed by men who have hum Die or ord.
nay objects in prospect. 1t is by contempa'
til the life and character OF those who arE
mixed out from the multitude by their emf 7
NIT qualities, that we become emulous "
tbir virtues and their renown. The trophsk
oMitiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themtk
jcles and Theseus, hearing the exploisd
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and hy
game the successful rival Of his fame. To-
ruGe savage OF the desert listens with raptgH
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs NJ
round his hut the emblems ofhis father'sw
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utillT
OF the publication we have undertaken, al
which we now submit to the patronage ofG
fellow citizens. with hope, that from ~
liberality of their encouragement, we shI
be able to present it to the public worthyds
their appreciation We must depend fort
illustration OF many Of the characters of Of \
upon the generosity of their sur I
yising relatives and friends, to furnish US VIII L
whateverlnteresting materialsmay be in th'f 4
possession for which, with our grateful al
acknowledgements, we promise copy of ts9
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers8
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, a's1
contained in ten numbers. To the bss
will be pre6xed an appropriate froGH
piece-and the work viii be commend
wilhthe declaration of independence, wH
engraved facsimiles of the signatures, al
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage of the s's
Each OF the lives, unless when il is Hs
practicable, will be preceded by lkE
ness of the person, engraved by the PEI
artists in the United States. m
IL. It will be printed on fine paper, n'lI
expressly for the purpose, and delivery
to subscribers at tao dollars and jsflyefpF
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this ofle inc,
October 10