Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-19
BIZ JOHN S.9NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC

" ILL " DlLit>.
When we consider the personal ousrfs,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed
the Declaration of independence, the psI
ous occasion which demanded the eyeron
OF their wisdom and deiberaton, and tbs
influence OF their councils on the interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, yerv
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered TO the world, and we shall seek IN
vain 10 the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeps
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepeD.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all til.
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertlOn Of The
viItuouS energies OF his nature, none has ey.
cited a greater warmth of veneraton, and
has more imperious claims Upon cur 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
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignyOi
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 10 the imPe.
rishabe records OF fame. 1t would Indeed
be no favor bic prOgnostic of the perpetuhy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations We owe tas
memory Of The illusnious patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by tbeli
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominiOnOi
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrP:.
tiOle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge Of their pledge of their lives, theHloE'
;u,t,s and their sacred htnors and, asiODs
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts o.
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost TO the word;
their names will not pass away nor be lolsot
ten, or their glorious deeds be cOntouDdedn
he common and casual transaction OF lie
Irgratitude is vice that in nations, as well
rs individuals, indicates the last degree o.
iegeneracy and corruption it is wee thal
implies the absence IF every virtue; ii was
in the age Of Caligu)a that the name OF The
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Q!
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light o.
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the Illusfrious
dead with an effectUsl or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom ce
achieved by men who have bum Die or olci'
nary objects in prospect Ii is by coniempia'
ting the life and character OF those who ais
marked out from the multitude by then en1,,
nent qualities, that we become CmuiouSS o.
their virtues and their renoWn. The Trophies
of Mitiadcs interrupted the sleeps OF ] lemsi,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits o.
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and De-
came the successful rival of his fame. he
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems Of his fsthers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit TO the patronage Of oul
fellow citizens. with hope, that from ln II
lberality of their encouragement, we shSi
be able to present it to the public worthy .!
their appreciation. We must depend tor lhe
Illustration OF many of the characters OF oul
biography, upon The generosity OF ;heIF sur !,t
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIN
whatever interesting materials may be IN lneIl
possession for which, with our grateluI! s 2,
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF 'h'
entire DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed in numbers
half volumes of eco pages, octave, s sp'
contained in ten numbers. TO the pi.
will be prefxed an appropriate tronlls
piece-and the work will be CONNIE nc .i
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures anu
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law n
Each OF The lives, unless when il IS ~, 1n'
practicable, viii be preceded by Inc h',
ness of the person, engraved by the pe'
artists in the United States. IA
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ms rot
expressly for the purpose, and ce aI'.,.t
to subscribers al too dollars ondJyly es'''
pernumber, payable on delivery s,.
~ Subscriptions received atthl' OMIT II
0ctohor n