Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-11
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed IN
the Declaration Of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and tho
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 even,
more worthy OF commemorative, and ofbeinp
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
aud generous people. Tb. love of inJepep.
dence is interviewer with The. frame and con.
stitution of the human mind Il is almost
the trst sentiment that anjmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exeriion Oft the
virtuouS energies OF his nature, none has eI.
cited greater warmth Of generation. and
has more imperious claims upon our graf,
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Q.
genius has been paid to The patriot OF The be.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the Independence and dignity o.
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to The inpe.
rishable records OF fame 1t would indeed
be no favorable prognostc of The perpetuity
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibiiity to the obligations we owe the
pemory Of the iiustriols patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
ragnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion d
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp.
iiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeiFior
tunes and their sd cred honors ;" and, as lOE
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Il
their SUCCESSORS, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors will not be lost TO the word; I
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedin
the common and casual transa cton of Life - |
IHgratitude is vice that in nations, as well /
as individuals, indicates the last degree d
degeneracy and corruption ii is vice thai /
implies the absence of every virtue; il HaI
in the age otCaligula that the name OF Gs /
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
6 The glory of our ancestors is the IightoIf
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered TO The merits of the illuSiriogI
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be i
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or ord!
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contenp"E
ting the life and character OF those who arr
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become ,mulous
their virtues and their reuowD. The trophies
of MiItiades interrupted the sleeps Of Ttenb:t
toces and TheseUs, hearing the e1pIOtGI
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and TEL
came The successful rival of his fame. iR
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptEt
10 the deeds of his ancestors. and hang.
ronnd his hut the embiems of bis fsthersT
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the uGhT |
of the publication we have undertaken, sA
which we now submit TO the patronage olGI
fellow citizens. with hope, thsi from 'is |
Iiberality of their encouragement, we s1p
be able TO present it 10 the public worthy i
their appreciation. We must depend forlR L
Illustration OF many of the characters OF ou
biography, upon the generosity Of tbeir'lrn
viving relatives and friends, to furnish US WV
whateverlnteresting materials may be ninnE
possession for which, with our gEa'etU! III
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of "'
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publihed inDumbeFg
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, ~
contained in ten numbers. TO TIE l.E
will be prehyed an appropriate ifor%E
piece--and the work viii be comntNsHE
with the declaration of independence. IN
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, III
a eompendious detail Of the proceedlly::,,E
congress, during the passage OF the I'll
Each OF the lives, unless when II Is III
practicable, will be preceded ly I'D
ness of the person, engraved Ivy lie
artists in tie United States. ~
II. II will be printed on fine paper; . n'
expressly for the purpose, ard deM"s
to subscribers at tsso dollars and yy"
pernumber, payable on delivery sy
~ Subscriptions received al this OFT
October IS -