Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-15
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PITRIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence, the peI
lous occasion which demanded the exertim
OF their wisdom and deliberaton. and ,Ee
influence of their councils on the interests ii
mankind, we must acknowledge that veH
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy of commemoration, and ofbemg
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous PEOPLE. Tb. love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the,fram and con.
sttution of the human mind. 1t is alnos,
the first 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 veneration. and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance TO 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 oil
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp OF DEATH and the pen of the histCra
ha: inscribed the achievements to the impt
rishable records OF fame. Ii would INDEED
be no favor bic prognOstic of the perpetuJ
of our republican institutions 10 discover a, |
insensibility to the obligations we owe ths |
memory Of The illustrious patrons OF America
freedom. They have raised US, by THEN
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion d
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeniOr
tunes and their Sc cred honors - and, as IOng
as virtue holds her empire in the hears 0! |
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world
their names will not pass away nor be iugG
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedm
the common and casua transaction OF lie -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption ii is vice Eal
implies the absence OF every virtue il wai
in the age of Calgula that the name OF tbs |
Scipios was prescribed, that the state 81
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The G lory OF our ancestors is the ligbtN
posterity,' and the homage OF The living can
not be offered to the merits OF The illusrlOH
dead with an efec,ua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom b !
achieved by men who have hum de Of oIdr
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempt
ting the life and character OF those who
marked out from the multitude ly then en-
nent qualities, that we become enuous
their virtues and their rtDown. I he hcIha
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of ! ltDs
locies and Theseus, hearing the eApIOIEc
Hercules, vas fred 18th his spirit, and e
came The successful rival OF bis fame Ih
rude savage OF the desert listens with raPIF
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs
round his hut the embems ofhis tdther'sH'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, s'a
which we now submit TO the patronage CiC
fellow citizens. with hope, that trCn lT
iberality of their encouragement, we sh'D
be able to present it to the Public WORTHY
their appreciation. We must depend iOrDs
illustration OF many of the characters OF cI
biography, upon the generosity OF theHsg
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US W.
whateyerlnteresting materials may he IN lDVa
possession; for which, with our grateful ~
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of u
entire ork rs a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers
half volumes Of geo pages, octave,
contained in ten numbers. TO the
will be prefXed an appropriate lTon,a
piece-and the work will be ComntpGa
with the declaration of independence, ""
engraved fac SMILES oftbe signalurte!s' ~
a compendious detail of the proceedlSfsss
congress, durirg the passage Of lRez%
| Each OF the lives, unless wien II i En-,
practicable, will be preceded by a H.
ness of the person, engraved W Inc =
artists in the United States. n,aE
III. 1t will be printed on fine paper; p ~r,t
expressly for the purpose, and GEM na,t,rl|
to subscribers at tuo dollars 0ndWy"
pernumber, payable on delivery o#ee.
| y Il SubscriDtiOns re CeiYed al tnlS v" AZ