Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-04
By JOHN S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PIIRIIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal QUALITIES
| OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the eyertion
o! their wisdom and deliberation, and the
influence OF their councils on the interests Of
man Kind, 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 indepen.
dence is interviewer with the.frame and con-
stitution OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that anlmates the infants
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWaked into activity greater exertion of the
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex.
cited a greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot or the be.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity G.
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 impe.
rishable records oil fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor ble Drognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions 10 discover an
insensibility 10 the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illustrioLs patrons of American
ErEn ~ hr,t t~tr
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, therfoc.
tunes and their sacred 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 COMPOUNDED in
| the common and casual transaction Of life -
lDgratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
| as individuals, indicates The last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
| implies the absence Of every virtue it was
| in the age of c, ligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Bru.us brought death on its possessor.
THE glory of Our ancestors is the ligh OF
posterity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered TO the merits of the iliusirlous
dead with an effectUal or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or OrdI-
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by conempla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their eml..
nent qualities, that we become emulous OF
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of MiItiades interrupted the sleeps OF lhtmls,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the eIpl01l.ts; Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival Of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embiems Of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
Of the publication We have undertaken, aD6
which we now submitto the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from th9
liberality of their encouragement, we shall
be able to present it 10 the public worthy u
their appreciation. We must depend TOR the
illustration OF many Of the characters OF our
biography, upon the generosity OF Their SUI,
yrVing relatives and friends, toturnlsh Us hitn
whateverinteresting materials may be N inei'
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of "s
entire ork as compensation,
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will he publiised in numbers %
half volumes of eco pages, octave snt
contained in ten numbers. To the W.
will be prehxed an appropriate Ionu'S
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures anu
a compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the h"'
Each OF the lives, unless when 1t ls ~, ,h
practicable, will be preceded by 'jss
ness Of the person, engraved by the Des'
artists in the United States. !,
II. It will be printed on fine paper, mau55
expressly for the purpose, and deliselsu
to subscribers at two dollars and tJ'yes'''
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this once