Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-04
By JOHN S.4.NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oualt;s,
of the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence, the psG.
lous occasion which demanded the exertio,
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and n,
influence of their councils on the interests a
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. yer
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 ofbeinr
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful |
and generous people. Th. love of inJepeD.
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stitution OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infant;
features in tbs cradle and amongst all ID.
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerion Of The
virtuous energies of his nature, none hasey.
cited a greater warmth Of yeneration, 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.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor .ble prognostic of tile perpetui!y
Of our republican institutions to discover an
nsensibility to the obligations We owe The
memory of TIC illustrioLs patrons of America
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 imprescHp.
tioIe rights of humanity by the 'nutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, thelrtor.
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, aslOy
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 pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be conioundedn
the common and casual transaction of life,
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il wa;
in the age of CaliguIa that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
6 The glory of our ancestors is the lightoi
posterity," and the homage of the living cam
not be offered to the merits OF the llustrloui
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or OrGl'
nary objects in prospect. Ii is BY contenps'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their enI..
nent qualities, that we become emulousS
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF tbemEi,
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploit; Of
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and ., se.
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 hut the embIems ofhis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the uily
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which VS. now submit to the patronage OF oul
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lux u
liberality of their encouragement, we shan
be able to present it to the public worthy :.
In6lf appTODdtlOn. we must uepeliu 'or
illustration OF many of the characters o. ou'
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur vi,
vIvng relatives and friends, to furnish us Wl! !.
whateverinterestipg materials may be in tneh
possession; for which, with our grateful &C s.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF ~'
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, s slI
contained in ten numbers. 10 the W. y.
will be prefxed an appropriate lroD'''
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures aHo
a cempendious detail of the proceedings y
congress, during the passage OF the is ~,
Each OF the lives, unless when it IS SIN 'h'
practicable, will be preceded by a llk Inc.
ness Of the person, engraved BY Inc p''
artists in the United States. ii
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ms ra
expressly for the purpose, and den'eas,'
to subscribers at tuo dollars and tylg es''
pernumher, payable on delivery q
w Subscriptions received at this ONCE
October 10