Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-28
By JOHN S4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaI;,;o.
OF the statesmen whose names are sfiyed ~
the Declaration of independence. the n.r;
lous occasion which demanded the eYsr,on
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and the
influence OF their councils on the interests IS
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
rarely more imposing spectacle has besyn
offered to the world, and we shall seeL IN
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration. and ofbsins
cherished forever in the hearts of gratei1SI
ano generous people. The love of ndepen-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution ofthe human mind II is almost
the hrst sentiment that anmales The infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises Of man, none has
aWaEed 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 to tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid 10 ihe patriot or the he
ro 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. 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions TO discover an
insensiblity TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of the illustrous 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 maintained the imprescrip-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge Of their lives, theirfog-
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, OF their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
The common and casual transaction of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it 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 its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the ilustrious
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or ord!.
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempla.
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 reDown. The trophies
of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis
toeles and Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hang, a.
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va.
lour
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage of our
fellow citizens, with hope, that from the
liberalty OF their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it to the public worthy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many Of the characters of our
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
wing relatives and friends, TO furnish us With
whatever interesting materials may be in their
possession for which, with our grateful ac1
acknowledgements, we promise copy of the
entire DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers OF
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts;
piece--and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence, witt
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, and.
compendious detail of the proceedings oil
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is I'M
practicable, will be preceded by Ike,
ness of the person, engraved by the bes'
artists in the United States
IL. IT will be printed on fine paper, made,
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at too dollars and jsftyesnss
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this office
Octoher 8 II