Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-17
By JOHN S.q.NDERSO.T.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualiGa,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n |
the Declaration of independence. the per
lous occasion which demanded the exerpn
OF their wisdom and deiberation, and lb,l
influence OF their councils a the Interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, Very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek N
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commentator, and ofberr
cherished forever in the hearts of grated
and generous people. Thelove of ndepen.
denee is interviewer with the, frame and con-
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almoa
the first sentiment that animates the infsnti
features in the cradle and amongst all ts /
actions and enterprises of man, none b. s
awaEed into activity greater exertion ofhF
virtuous energies of his nature, none has Ell 5
cited greater warmth of veneratioH, anil
has more imperious claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political,
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d|
genius has been paid to the patriot or 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
rshable records Of fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor 'ble prognostic of the perpeuiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensiblity to the obligations we owe The
memory OF The ilustrioGs patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US. by Their
magnanlmlty, from the arbitrary dominionO
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescTip.
tioIe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirior
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as loE
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts 81
their successors, the example of these gene.
TSu; benelsctoTs will will LOST to the world
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedin
the common and casual transaction of lie =
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue it vas
in the age of CaIigula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor
=" The glory of our ancestors is the light Oi
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered TO the merits of the ilIustrOI
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or Ord'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is b. contempt
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their nowD. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 1bemr,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploitsd
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame ]R
rude savage OF the desert listens with Rapture
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his father'sH.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage otouf
fellow citizens. with hope, that from ibs
liberaity of their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it to the public wortby.~
their appreciation. We must depend for ibe
illustration OF many of the characters Of ouF
biography, upon the generosity of :beirsur,.
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US wtn
whatevernteresting materials may he in their
possession for which, with our grateful ac-
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publihed in numbers q !
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sna
contained in ten numbsrs. To the bI''
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commeDceea
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, an,
compendious detail of the proceedings o.
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when ii is In'
practicable, will be preceded by a llSe e,
ness Of the person, engraved by The De"
artists 10 the United States. ;.
II. II will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and delivers,
to subscribers at too dollars nad J5ftycfp's
pernumber, payableon delivery 80
~ Subscriptions received at this Once
October l8