Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-24
BIZ JOHN S.qNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence. the peri.
Ious occasion which demanded the exertiop
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and The
influence OF their councils on the interests Of /
mankind, we must acknowledge thai 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
and generous people. Tn. love of inJepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
sttution 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 ofhi nature, none has ey-
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and POLITICAL
aggression. 4
In all republican states the first tribute OF /
genius has been paid to ibe patriot or the he
80 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and +
maintained the independence and dignity oh
man. The animated canvas and breathingS
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
mas inscribed the achievements to the impe-
risbable records OF fame II would indeed
be no favor bile pIognosiic of the perpetuily
ii our republican institutions to disco, eI an
.usensibility to the obligations we owe tbe
memory of TIE ilustroLs patrons OF American
f. DIR hct- t,aty "a Al =
magnanimity trom tne arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
Of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by tie mutual
pledge OF their pledge ct their lives, tbeiIfoy-
tunes and their sacred EonorS';" 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 word;
their names Will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be conioundedin
the common and casual transaction OF life -
lngratitude is vice that ~ nations. as well
rs individuals, indicates the last DECREE CT
icgeneracy and corruption i. is vice thai
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
in the age OF CaIigu!a that the name OF the
SCipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Blutus brought death on its possessof.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posteri!y," and The homage of the living can.
not be offered 10 he merits Of the ilustriou;
dead with an cffectua or sterile admiration |
Great and splendid actions will seldom be |
achieved by men W 10 have bum Die CT oldi.
nary objects in prospect 1t is b. cont,mIs. |
ting the life and character CT those who are
marked out from the multitude by lIeI emf
nent qualities, that we become cmuiUus ]
their virtues and their rtnown. I be ucphiG
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF I itm:.
'ocles /; and Theseus, hearing the exploits l.
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, an0 he.
came the successful rival OF his fame. The
ruGe savage OF The desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors. and haEes a.
round his hut the emb!e ms fhis fathei'sw
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication We have undertaken, ard F
which we now submit to the patronage Of our
fellow citizens. with hope, that iron the
liberality OF their encouragement, We shall
be able 10 present it to The public WORTHY Of
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many OF the characters OF oU'
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
WING ISldthCS anu iT!SUUS, 10 lufDISD ils WIN
whatever resting materials may lie in then
possession /; fer which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of he
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubiiihcd in number:cII
half volumes of eco pages, octave. lHl
contained lii ten numbers. To tie bis
will be prchxed an appropriate fronts;
plece-snd the work VIII BE- ccmnlnof.G
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac Smiles ofihe signatures, sro
compendious detail Of the proc, edirsso o.
congress, during the passage OF the I9H'
Each OF the lives, unless wien ii is ID'
practicable, will be preceded Ly IKE,
ness Of the person, engraved by the bfs
artists 10 the United States. ;.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper. mace
expressly for the purpose, and dell'elsu
to subscribers at tao dollars andJ/ye0"
per number, payable on delivery
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