Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-03
By JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ou.I..
OF the statesmen whose names are a.II'sS
the Declaration of Independence tho -! -
lous occasion which demanded the eyer ri"
OF their wisdom and deiberatioD. and tho tTa
influence OF their councils on the ipterests ~" -
mankind, we must acknowledge thai vow,
rarely more imposing spectacle has beoJn
offered to the world, and we shall seek I'm IN
vain in the annals of nations. for an event
more worthy OF commentator, and Of be;ne
cherished forever in the hearts of a gratpinl
and generous people. The love ofi6dpnen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stituton OF the human mind. II is almos,
the first sentiment that anmale8 the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all fine
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exer!ion Of the
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of generation. and
has more lmperous claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the fist tribute d
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from tie
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rishabe records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbiIity TO the obligations We owe the
memory OF the iIlustrioLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised ue, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the impresCnp-
tioIe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pied ge of their lives, therior-
tunes and their sacred honors ;" and, as long
rs 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 contOunded 10
the common and casual transaction OF life
Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as well
az individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption II is a vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue II VI"
in the age of CaIgula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Oh
Brutus brought death on It's pOssessoT.,
The glory of our ancestors is the llgh'O
posterity," and the homage OF the living can.
not be offered to the merits OF the lu'fri0"
dead with an eAiectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom DC
achieved by men who have humble or olGl-
nary objects in prospect. II IS BY cen'enlpla,
ting the life and character OF those VINO als
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become emaIouss VI
their virtues and their reDown. ne t, TOpnie'
of Miltades interrupted the sleepsot henllstr
tocles and rheseus, hearing the eHPlCtII VI
Hercules. was fired with his spirit, aho ne Ts-
came the successful rival of bis lame III
rude savage OF The desert listens WIN rdPIut'
to the deeds of his ancestors, ana many
round his hut the embems OH fathers Va
our. .n,,,
More need not be said to enforce the uun.y
of the publication we have undertaken dnu
which we now submit to the PATRONAGE VI t ,Sa
fellow. citizens. with hope, that rom ' II
liberaIity of their encouragement, we sna ~
De aDIe 10 present IL lo tHO P"T Co. the
their appreciation. We must depenu 81 "f orr
illustration OF many of the characters d. s UT.
biography, upon The generosity OF Ine ,D ~ sII
vting relatives and friends, to furnish 10 ,ha;1
whatever resting maeriasmay be IL lH s.
possession for which, with our gfsse, of G 1Ipi
acknowledgements, We promise COPY o. '"~
entire ork as a compensation
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publihed IN n Ino md nd
half volumes of 200 pages, o Gc'S w. 6r.t
contained in ten numbers 10 W. froriis.
will be prefxed an apProprsn,re
piece-and the work will be c Inee with
with the declaration of independence, s and
engraved fac SMILES of the slgna.u,tt;, ngs Of
compendou; detail of the pTofet sbs law,
congress, during the passage Oi :; ~ ;s i'm.
Each OF the lives, unless Thep ~ II f. like.
practicable, will be preceded py ,be best
ness of the person, engraved Dy wv
artists in the United States ,or made
IT. # will be printed on fine paqPdd. delivered
expressly for the purpose, anu and fftveenss
to subscribers at too dOllGrs anuJyV
per number, payable on delse sb?s off ce.
~ Subscriptions received at 'n'' 'D ii
October l8