Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-13
By JOHN S.qMDERs0N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualts
of the statesmen whose names are affixed
the Declaration of independence. the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertm
oil their wisdom and deIiberation, andA
influence of their councils on the Interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge that ur
rarely more imposing spectacle has bea
offered to the world, and we shall seek
vain in the annals of nations, for an eyer
more worthy OF commemoraton, and ofbeiv
cherished forever in the hearts of grateii
and generous people. The love of indepep I
dence is interviewer with the. frame and CO.
stitution ofthe human mind. 1t is almg \
the first sentiment that animates the infant
features in the cradle and amongst all Ai
actions and enterprises of man, none hi
awaked into activity greater exertioD ofAss
virtuous energies ofhis nature, meme has e. Z
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grab
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and politIcsE
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute n
genius has beenpaid to The patriot or the be- 7
70 who has promoted tie cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity n
man. The animated canvas and breathiy|
marble have rescued bis features from tkI
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historic,
has Inscribed the achievements 10 The imp.|
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic of the perpetuily
Of our republican institutions to discover alI
insensibiIity TO the obligations we owe TIL
memory of The illustrious patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by ben
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion
a foreign power, to the distinguished eleystinI
of sovereign and independent people; ltgI
have asserted and maintained the imprescrEE
tiole rights of humanity by the g muul
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirja
tunes and their sacred Donors !" and, as log
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts
their successors, the example of these gem
rous benefactors will not be lost to the WORT
their names will not pass away nor be forge
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedr
the common and casual transaction of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree
degeneracy and corruption it is vice tEal
implies the absence of every virtue il val
in the age Of Caligula that the name OF tif|
SCipios was prescribed, that The state al
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
!" The glory of our ancestors is The lighta|
posterity," and the homage of the living can'|
not be offered to the merits of the ilIustrlou|
dead with an effectual or sterile admlratlol
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men who have humble or Ot'
nary objects in prospect. Ii is by contempt!
ting the life and character OF those whoa
marked out from the multitude by their en- E
nent qualities, that we become emulous
their virtues and their renown. The trophes
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 1hsnt5
tocles and Theseus, hearing the explolsdI
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and ttj
came the successful rival of his fame. 1Et
rude savage of the desert listens with rapHH
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hang. N
round his hut the embIems Of his father'sH
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, iH
which we now submit 10 the patronage Oioa
fellow citizens. with hope, that from Rs
liberality of their encouragement, we sha
be able to present it to the public worthy 1
their APPRECIATION. We must depend for b I
illustration OF many of the characters Of oa
biography, upon the generosity of ;heirsglrl
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US Tla
whateyerlnteresting materials may be in iDs'
possession for which, with our grateful a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF n''
entire work as compensation.
~ CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers,
half volumes of goo pages, octave, ~
contained in ten numbers. To the Dr.
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronlg
piece-and the work will be commtnf.stt
With the declaration of independence, WI
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, ar
compendious detail of the proceeding
congress, during the passage OF the ~
Each OF the lives, unless when ii IS ,l %
practicable, will be preceded by u.s.
ness of the person, engraved by the 70
artists 10 the United States. I'd
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, nav
expressly for the purpose, and deliver
to subscribers at tao dollars and tytyesrE
pernumber, payable on delivery =.
~ Subscriptions re csiyed at this oHevs'
October 10