Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-07
By JOHN S.9NDERSO.N,
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are afiyed n
the Declaration of independence, the nsr;,
lous occasion which demanded the eyertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tbs
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
MANKIND, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek inI
vain IN the annals OF nations, for an eyentI
more worthy OF commemoration, and of beiDgI
cherished forever in the hearts of gratefjI
and generous people. The love of indepeD.E
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stitution OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle !; and amongst all the B
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion of the
yirtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey.,
cited greater warmth of generation, andI
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 be.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity oa
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from Tie
grasp OF death, and The pen of the hstorianl
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe-
rishable records oil fame Ii would indeed
be no favor lble prognostic Of the perpetui.y
OF our republican institutions TO discover an
insensibillty to the obligations we owe the
memory Of the lIlustrious patrons OF AmericanI
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of;
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation.
of a 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, theiTto
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts ois
their successors, the example Of these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot I
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction OF life
lDgratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Ct
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory o! our ancestors is the light o. I
posterity," and the homage of the living can /
not be offered TO the merits OF the illustTOu
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom he +
achieved by men who have humole or ord- I
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by ConlempIa
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their enl.
nent qualities, that we become emuIouSS o.
their virtues and their renown. 1heh trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF hemls.
toces; and Theseus, hearing the exploit; o.
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, a5d b., be-
came the successful rival Of hi: fame. Inc
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a
round his hut the enblems ofhis father va
lour ,,..
More need not be said to enforce the utlIIiy
of the publication we have undertaken ana
which we now submit to the patronage OF CuI
fellow citizens with hope, that from ln H
liberality of their encouragement, we sH''t
be able to present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend Tor 'De
illustration OF many of the characters o. UU'
biography, upon the generosity OF ;h'Irs SUI
vlvng relatives and friends, TO furnish Us WI
whateyerinteresting materials may be 10 He.
possession for which, with our gratelIf! . q"
acknowledgements, we promise COPY I"
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS. ,o.
|. The work will be publiihed innunuS'o ND ID
half volumes of geo pages, 0c''yo' Gr,t
contained in ten numbers. 10 'Ge n %
will be prefxed an appropriate nUnn"l
piece--and the work will be conlnlen 18th
with the declaration of independence, WV, W.
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures ,c a' ~
a compendicu, detail of the proeeeSGpssw"
congress, during the passage, OF Toe 'i IN.
Each OF the lives, unless when II u ,I i'~
practicable, will be preceded ny 'i Ts.t
ness of the person, engraved by 'hs ~
artists in the United States. .odp
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper ; maotd
expressly for the purpose, and d ndl'.,sp
to subscribers at taco dollars ondJyty''''
pernumber, payable on delivery s.s
~ Subscriptions received at this ofntf'