Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-11
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

" he PUDLlE.
when we consider the personal ouaIitie,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of Independence, the peri.
| lous occasion which demanded the eyertion
OF their wisdom and dcIiberation, and tho
| influence OF their councils on the interests ri
mankind, we must acknowledge tha. verv
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 of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Th. love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with The, frame and con.
siituion of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion ofthe
viruous eGergies of his nature, none has ex
cited a greater warmth of veneratlon. and
has more Imperlous claims upon our gra
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid TO tie patriot or the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
| maintained the independence and dignity oil
man. The animated canvas and bTeatireI
| marble have rescued his features iron tie
grasp OF death, and the pen of the hiscriah
| has Inscribed the achievements to the npe.
f.! rishable records OF fame. II would indeed
| be no favor ,ble pIognostic Of tie perpetuiy
! Of our republican institutions TO discover an
| insensibility TO the obligations we owe The
memory OF the illus'riols patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion Of
| fore ign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the impreScHp-
tioe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeirior
tunes and their Sd cred 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 contoundedin
f. he common and Casual transaction OF lie
| ingratItude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
| degeneracy and corruption !; il is vice ttal
| implies the absence Of every yiltue il va;
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Scpios was prescribed, that The state Of
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is thc lighto
posterily," and the homage Of lhc Sire can.
not be offered to The neIils OF tbe ilu>iriCG
lead with an effectual or sterile adnnat;cn
| Great and splendid actions sill seldom ts |
nary objects in prospect. ] is b, contempt
| ting the life and charatter OF those who az
marked oh from the multitude ly then fnt
nent qualities, that we Lecont eTuous
theirvrtues and their repoRn. The tlCpbld
| of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps ct ! LENS:
tocles and Iheseus, hearing the expIGi;@
| HERCULES, was fred with his spirit, aEd IT,
came the successful rival Of Lis fame IlF
| rude savage oil the desert listens with rapture
10 the deeds Of his ancestors, and bangs a
round his hut the emb!ems Of bis iatkel'sE
| iour.
! EIore need not be said 10 enforce Tie utility
| Of The publication we have undertaken, sEf
which we now submit 10 Tie patronage olcu!
| fellow citizens. with hope, that iron iEI
| jiberality OF their encouragement, we sh'p
! be able TO present it to the public worthy
| their appreciation. We must depend iorN
| illustration OF many of The characters Of Ccf
biography, upon the generosity Of ;beIrsv9I
v.ring relatives and friends, TO furnish us TIa
whaeverlnterestingm materials may be in AfI
possession fer which, with cur grateful a.
! acknowledgements, we premise oopy OF "
entire " ork as acompensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. Tbe work will be publiihed innurbcTc
half volumes of geo pages, octave, f fa
contained in ten numbers. TO the D.
will be preExed an appropriate hen'E
pisce-and the work will be ccmmtDft
with the declaration of independence, wi
engraved fac similes Of the signatures, a
a compeDdiou detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF tie I:r
Each OF the lives, unless when il Is, "
| practicable, will be preceded by re I,4
! nessofthe person, engraved by lhe u
artists in the United States. 10
II. 1t will be printed On fine Parer; n.S
expressly for the purpose, and telTn
to subscribers at t7ro dollars ndjy'y''
pernumber, payable on delivery e,1
~ Subscriptions received atthIs oH.F