Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-27
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ HE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouslit,.
of the statesmen whose names are AFFIXED y
the Declaration of independence, the nsG'
lous occasion which demanded the eysr,io,
OF their wisdom and deIiberation, and ,s
influence OF their councils on the Interests ~
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. yerv
rarely a 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 beins l.
cherished forever in the hearts of a grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepep.
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 the cradle /; and amongst all ii.
actions and enterprises of man, none bs, !
awaEed into activity a greater e~xertion OF The
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited a greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graf.
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 be.
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 IRON tie
grasp o. death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 the imps.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile D%rognostic of The ~perpetuly
of our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations We owe The
memory of the illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by Their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominiODt
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the impresrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirtor.
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, or their glorious deeds be confoundedin
the common and casual transaction OF lille -
lngratitude is a vice hat in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption I; it is a vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue it 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 lightol
posterity," and the homage of The living can
not be offered to the merits of the ~iIlustrlOui
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or cfdl'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contenPIa'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their enI..
nent qualities, that we become emulous 81
their virtues and their re nown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Tbemf;:
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploltsd
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of bis fame. Joe
rude savage of the desert listens with raPluI'
to the deeds of his ancestors. and hangs a.
round his hat the emblems ofhis fathersW'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit TO the patronage olcuf
felIow-citizens. with a hope, that from The
liberality of their encouragement we shall
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