Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-25
BIZ JOHN S.qNDERSOyN.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO The PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oualitis,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of Independence, the peyi.
lous occasion which demanded the exertm
OF their wisdom and deiberation, and tbe
influence OF their councils on the Interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge thai very
rarely more imposing spectacle has bets
offered TO the world, and we shall seek IN
vain IN the annals of Bations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and of heing
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
aud generous people. The love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stitutlon of the human mind. 1t is almost
the hrst sentiment that anImates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion Of the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ey-
cited greater warmth of generation. and
has more imperious claims upon cur grail.
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 he.
70 who has promoted the Cause OF liberty ard
maintained the independence and dignity OF
IL.
marble have rescued his features nom Ihe |
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 prognostic of The perpetuy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe tie
memory of tae llustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
'nagnanImity from the arbitrary dominion Of /
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tinle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbertor.
tunes and their sd cred honors :" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of |
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous beDefactors will not be lost to tie world;
their names Will not pass away nor he forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confouDdedm
the common and casual transaction oil lie -
irgrattude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
iegeneracy and corruption il is vice that |
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
in the age OF Csligula that the name OF the +
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Druus brought death on its possessor.
:" The glory of our ancestors is the lightO
posterity," and the homage Of the living can-
not be offered to The merits OF the iIlu>triCGs
dead with an effectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seIGUh b
achieved by men wEo have hum Die OF OIdi
nary objects in prospect. 1t is By conenpa
ting the life and character OF those who are
mark ed out from the multitude by tteiI emf
nj fbaf Io< N
their virtues and their reDoWn. I he tropics
ofMiltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 1btmE..
tocles and Theseus, hearing the explCiisd
Hercules, was fired with lis spirit, end ts'
came the successful rival of bis fame The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rspM:
to the deeds Of his ancestors. and hangs q
round his hut the emblems ofhis fdtbel'sn
lOur.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication We have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage Of our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality of their encouragement, We Shall
be able to present it to the public worthy. OF
their appreciation We must depend for tie
illustration OF many of the characters OF oui
biography, upon The generosity OF thersur
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish US VIII
whateverlnterestIDg materials may be IN The"
possession for which, with our grateful e
acknowledgements, We promise copy OF E
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS
|. The work will be pubiihed nnumber:g
half volumes OF goo pages, octave, .la
contained in ten numbers. TO the D."
will be prefxed an appropriate lrOnifi
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration ofindependence, VIII
engraved fac Smiles oftbe signatures sDu
compendious detail of the proceedings
: congress, during the passage Of The law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is 81, W.
practicable, will be preceded Ey Ib.
ness of the person, engraved by The Ut"
artists 10 the United States. !,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper; nssi
expressly for the purpose, and del'esl
to subscribers at tsgo dollars cndGJfyee'"
pernumber, payable on delivery e.o
4 y Suhscriptions RI Ceiyed at this 0HCe'