Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-10
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PI1RIIN

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oualit;o.
OF the statesmen whose names are affYed -
the Declaration OF independence. the neri.
lous occasion which demanded the eyertion
OF their wisdom and deIiberation, and tho
influence OF their councils on the interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, 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 commemoraion, and of being
cherished forever in The hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepep.
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stitutlon 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 exerton of the
yIrtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited greater warmth OF generation, 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 isscTibed the achievements TO the impe
rishabe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of the perpetuiy
Of our republican institutions 10 discover an
insensbility 20 the obligations we ows tie
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 impTesCrip-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred hOnors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts o.
their successors, the example OF these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost 10 the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confOundedn
the common and casual transaction of life -
lngraitude is vice that in nations, as we'd
as individuals, indicates the last degree 81
degeneracy and corruption !; ii is vice that
implies the absence Of every virtue ; il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Soipios was prescribed, that the stale Of
Bruus brought death on its possessor.
g The glory of our ancestors is the ligbtOI
posterity," and the homage Of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the ilIuStrIoGS
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or ordl'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is b, contempa'
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 Miltades interrupted the sleeps OF 'lbemIs,,
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits Oh
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival OF his tame. be
rude savage OF The desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the embIems of his fathers 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 ouf
fellow citizens. with hope, that iron tDs
Iiberality of their encouragement, we shSH,
be able TO present it to the public worthy, I"
their appreciation. We must depend tor tbs
illustration OF many of the characters OF ou'
biography, upon The generosity OF their SUI.
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whatever interesting materials may be IN iSh
possession; for which, with our grateful aH
acknowledgements, we promise COPY OF 'O'
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers!
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sD1
contained in ten numbers. TO the d."
will be prefxed an appropriate lronl1J
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, anu
compendious detail Of the proeeedIDgsu'
congress, during the passage OF the Ia"'
Each OF the lives, unless when It IS ,. Im
practicable, will be preceded by Inc,
ness of the person, engraved by Inc U.s.
artists in the United States. a.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, nlso mad
expressly for the purpose, and dellse. .,,
TO subscribers at tao dollars ana. tJtye'""
pernumber, payable on delivery
*.* Subscriptions received at this omtt'