Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-11
By JOHN Sq.NDERSOyN
TO THE PURILC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF me statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertinn
OF their wisdom and delberation, and the
influence OF their councils on the interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge that 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 commemoration, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen.
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 exerion of the
vIrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth OF veneration. and
has more lmperiouS claims upon Our graft
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and politlca!
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the he
70 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 mpe.
rishabIe records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
memory of the ilusrioLs patrons of American
Fpnn hcty L. a.
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp.
tioIe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeirtor-
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts 0!
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 COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction Of lie -
Ingrattude is a vice that in nations, as well
az individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il 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 lightoi
posterity,' and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the iluStroH
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordl-
nary objects in prospect. 1t is By conlenpla-
ting the life and character of those who are
III. Il nj fbo plt by1t boIr l.
nent qualities, that we become emuous OF
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of lhemls..
toces and Theseus, hearing The exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems Of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality Of their encouragement, we shaH
be able to present it to the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration of many of the characters OF ouE
biography, upon the generosity Of their SUI
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US WITH
whatever interesting material may be in theE
possession for which, with our grateful ac,
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF 'IS
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbeTSGI
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, 9Ia
contained in ten numbers. To the d."
will be prefxed an appropriate fronlrI
pece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, aDu
a compendious detail of the proeeedmsS~
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it IS ID'
practicable, will be preceded by IKE
ness of the person, engraved by the pe'
artists in the United States. !.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, MAUI
expressly for the purpose, and dellVel
to subscribers at tuo dollars and fftyes"'
pernumber, payable on delivery ~
~ Subscriptions received atthls ontf'
October 6 ~