Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-20
BIZ JOHN &4JTDE2SO.N.
TO THE PUDJJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oualIa.
of the statesmen whose names are affixed "a
the Declaration of independence. the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertor
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and ths
influence of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge ,ha. yerv
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 ofbeig
cherished forever in the hearts of graIsu
aud generous people. Th. love Of indepen
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anllnates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all The
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity a greater exertion CT the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex.
cited a greater warmth of yeneratiOn and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
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.
ro who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignityOt
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 10 the impe.
rishabe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prosnosic of the perpealty
OF our republican institutions to discover an
iDsensibiiIty to the obligations we owe The
memory OF Che illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by theI
magnanimity. from tne arbitrary doninon0
foreign power, to The distinguished elevation
of sovereign and indie pendent people tbeg
have asserted and maintained the impresCrp.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge of their pledge OF their lives, theiIlOE
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the heart; c
their successors, the example of these gene,
rous benefactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away n0rbe forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be ConiOundedin
the common AID casual transaction OF lite
ipgratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption il is vice tiaL
implies tie absence of every virtue; II vas
in the age of CaIigula that the name OF tbe:
Scipios was prescribed, that The STALE OF
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
g The glory of our ancestors is the iigh'O
posterty," and the homage of the living can
not befoEered to the merits OF the lIusiTlOlS
dead with an eilectual or sterile admlraton'
Great and splendid sections will seldom 9e
achieved by men who have hum Die or orG1-
nary objects in prospect. Ii is con'fimPla'
ting the life and character OF those vine arr
marked out from the multitude by then emf:
nent qualities, that we become emuIoui q
virtues and their renoWn. etioPht'
Of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF ] hemEi,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploIS Oh
Hercules, was fired with bis spirit, AID D. De-
came the successful rival of his fame. ne
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emb!ems ofhis fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utIiiYy
Of the publication we have undertaken aoa
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF oGt
fellow citizens. with . hope, that from 'ls
Iiberality of their encouragement, we shaI
be able to present it TO the public worthy "
tliPIT dDpIUpdtiub. we uu9t N'PSh"'r
Illustration OF many of the characters OF ouF
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur i!i
wing relatives and friends, to furnish us WIZ
whatever interesting materials may be in then
possession; for which, with our grateful az a,
acknowledgements, we promise a copy ol u''
entire work as 4 compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbeTC
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, Ssn '
contained in ten numbers. TO the d. u,
viii be prehxed an appropriate iloh's,
pisce--and the work will be tn'te.SI
with the declaration OF dependence, VIII
engraved fac SMILES Oft the signatures, aIo
ccmpcndiou. detail OF the proceedings
congress, during the passage Of thc "a? ~,
Each OF the lives, unless when il Is ,h ID
practicable, will be preceded ty INC n'
ness Of the person, engraved by INC I''
artists in the United States. a.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper ns ~
expressly for the purpose, and deliver ,st
to subscribers at f7co dollars GadJytye"'
pernumber, payable on delivery r..
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