Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-10
By JOHN S.4NDERSON
TO THE pJJRIIr

TO THE PUBLIC
Wneh we consider the personal ousIi,iss
OF the statesmen whose names ara ~'HH'eS
the Declaration of independence tba 10
lous occasion which demanded me ptii'
OF their wisdom and deIiberation a n,i' tTn
influence OF their councils on the Interests " %
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerr
rarely more imposing spectacle has bee1n
offered to the world, and we shall Steak XIV IN
vain IN the annals Of nations, for an ayont
more worthy OF commemoraton. and Of he;ng
cherished forever in The hearts of or,tefi1
and generous people. The love of iedpnen.
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stitutlon OF the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infant,c
features in the cradle and amongst all lhe
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton Of the
vlrtuous energies Of his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has moro lmperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute q
genius has been paid TO the patriot or the he
TO who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from the
Grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements TO the impe-
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bile Drognosiic Of the perpetuiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory Of the illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion o:
a foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the impresCrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirfor-
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 beuef 4Ctors will not be lost TO the world;
Their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COntOunded IN
he common and casual transaction OF lie,
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice thai
implies the absence Of every virtue ; IT was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF The
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Bruius brought death on its possessor, ,
g The glory of our ancestors IS The llghI o.
posterity," and the homage OF the llyhg can
not be offered to the merits OF the lIlustrlOE
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom DC
achieved by men who have humble or olII'
nary objects in prospect. 1t IS by conte'hpla.
ting the life and character OF those VINO are
marked out from the multitude by theiF eHlIc
nent qualities, that we become emuIouS 0.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleepsot hem's sr
tocles and Theseus, hearing the eAplGI'ii VI
Hercules, was fred with bis spirit, ana u, He,
came the successful rival OF bis lame ine
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embIems OF his lathef Va
lOur. IT.
More need not be said to enforce the utIlify
of the publication we have undertaken anu
which We now submit to the patronage Oh oui
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from 'H i;
IiberaIity of their encouragement, we sha'i
be able to present it TO the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend lot lne .
illustration of many of the characters Oh ou'
biography, upon the generosity OF 'ber J., sui NJ
vrving relatives and friends, to turnIsh Us WV
whatever materialsmay be IN n ol,
possession for which, with our gra'elul AZ AZ
acknowledgements, we promise copy u Wy
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihed IN nualoer' u
half volumes of 200 pages, octave ca c
contained in ten numbers. 10 me ~
will be pre6xed an appropriate hon 1od
pisce-and the work will be commen .s;lb
with the declaration of independence, WV. .J
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, :. aD a;
a compendiou: detail of the procees,dlDYssS~
congress, during the passage OF the i'm in.
Each of the lives, unless when II IS ,;E be-,
practicable, will be preceded BY "a 'i hest
ness of the person, engraved by 'ne ~
artists in the United States. made
ii. It will be printed on fine paper, ;pered
expressly for the purpose, ana a Ea,,e.nfs
to subscribers at tgo dollars anaJ9'9
pernumber, payable on delivery cry. "a; ce.
~ Subscriptions received al 'n'' 0-'' II
October 10