Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-25
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualite,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence. the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiou
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the
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 event
more worthy OF commemoration, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
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
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exerton OF The
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited a greater warmth of veneration, and
has more mperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In AT republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot OF the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity OF
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 impe-
rishable records OF fame Ii would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory of the illustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and mainta med the mprescrp.
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 benetactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten or their glorious deeds be confoundedi in
the common aad CasuaI transaction OF life
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption ii 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 OF
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the lightOt
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits OF the illustrious
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or ord. (
nary objects in prospect. Ii is BY conempla.
ting the life and character of those " hO are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renoWn. The Trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF T'btmis..
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits oil
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, End be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage oil the desert listens with raptunr
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems ofhis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publica ton we have undertaken, anfs
which we now submit TO the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from The
Iiberality Of their encouragement, We shall
be able to present it 10 the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend for The
Illustration of many of the characters Of ouI
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
vlvng relatives and friends, to furnish us with
whatever interesting materials may he IN theh
possession for which, with our grateful ac'
Acknowledgements, We promise copy OF the
entire " ork as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in nunberso o.
half volumes Of eco pages, octave, sna
contained in ten numbers. TO the bIst
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES ofthe signatures, aDa
compendiou: detail of the proceedngso-
congress, during the passage of the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is lDr
practicable, will be preceded by l,sHI
ness of the person, engraved by the bts'
artists in the United States. ,,)
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ma u
expressly for the purpose, and delive' ~ T..
to subscribers at taso dollars and fffyee"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions re- ceived at this ofbess