Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-18
By JOHN S4NDERSON.
TO THE PTTRJIr

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal cr,I;,;..
OF the statesmen whose names are af;yed 49,. -
inc declaration OF indie pendence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence OF their councils on the interest,", n
MANKIND, we must acknowledge that yery
rarely more imposing spectacle has hean
offered to The world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration. and OF heinz
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stltutlon 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
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
vlrtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
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.
TO 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.
rishabIe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of The perpetuiy
of our republican institutions 10 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
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and Independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by The mutual
pledge oil their pledge OF their lives, their for
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 benefactors will not be lost to the world
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedn
the common and casual transaction ofliie,-
Ingrattude 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 was
in the age of Caigula that the name OF The
Scpios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the lightoi
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the illustrlOus
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or oTdl'
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempIa'
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emil:
nent qualities, that we become emuIous o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF hemls..
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits oil
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and d. BE-
came the successful rival of his fame. Inc
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his but the embems of his fathers va
lOur.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit to the patronage OF o|
fellow citizens. with hope, that from 'ps
Iiberality Of their encouragement, we sDap,
be able 10 present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend IoT 10.
illustration OF many OF the characters OF ou
biography, upon the generosity OF iher sun
ylving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whatever interesting materials may be IN Insn
possession; for which, with our grateful a. a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Oh Wv
entire W ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in Bumoen%J
half volumes of goo pages, octave s cnt
contained in ten numbers. TO TIE ~,
will be pre6xed an appropriate lrCnn,
piece-and the work will be commenCts5b
with the declaration of independence WI" "S
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures s'of
compendious detail of the proeeedinYsUU'
congress, during the passage OF me '? ;m'
Each OF the lives, unless when 1t IS , lm
practicable, will be preceded by Inv h's,
ness of the person, engraved by The D'',
artists in the United States. .1e
II. It will be printed on fine paper, : mSsd
expressly for the purpose, and deiN 't,,t,
to subscribers at lsvo dollars ondtJly fS"'
pernumber, payable on delivery IN
SubscrjptjoDs re CeiYed at this 0mt|