Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-08
By JOHN S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE, PTTRJJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ousGs.,
of the statesmen whose names are akyod ~
the Declaration of independence. the nsr
lous occasion which demanded the exerton
OF their wisdom and delibcration. and Ss
influence OF their councils OIL the interests 81
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered TO the world, and we shall seek IN
vain III the annals of nations, for an event
mere worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeino
cherished forever in the hearts of orateiH
and generous people. III. love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitu'ion OF the human mind. Il is almo,,
the inst sentiment that anlmaes the infants
| features in the cradle and amongst all the
! actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaEcd into activity greater exertion of the
vIrtuous energies Of his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our grail.
| tude, than resistance TO tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states The first tribute q
| genius has been paid to The patriot or the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and digni!yO
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features IRON The
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to tie mpe.
rishabic records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic of the perpetuity
OF Our republican institutions to discover an
insensbilty to the obligations we owe The
memory OF lie ilustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
maguanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
fore ign power to the distinguished elevation
! OF sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the inprescrp-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirfor-
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 benetactors will not be lost to the world
| their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their orious deeds be conioundedin
| the common and casual transaction OF life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
] IS individuals, indicates the last degree Ct
degeneracy and corruption it is vice thai
| implies the absence of every virtue; was
| in the age Of Caigula that the name Of the
Sciplos was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
. The glory OF our ancestors is the lghIc
rasterity," and the homage of the living can
| not be offered to the merits of the illusrlouS
dead with an eilectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
| achieved by men who have hum Ole or aGI'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY conlemPIa'
| ting the life md character of those who are
marked or from the multitude by their emf:
nent Qualities, that we become cmuous q
theT virtues and their reDown. The tIophGs
of Aliltiades interrupted the sleeps OF 1hemE,,
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploIl;o
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be,
came the successful rival Of his fame. IDe
TO the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emb,ems Of his fAthers'a'
lour.
More need not he said to enforcethe utility
OF the publication we have undertaken anu
which we low submit 70 the patronage OF GE
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from 'nss
liberality Of their encouragement, we lslt
be able to present it. to the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend for lIe
illustration OF many OF the characters OF oh
biography, upon the generosity OF their SUI VI
wing relatives and friends, to furnish us WIN
whatever interesting materials may be inthsD
possession +; for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF Inc
entire DIRK as 4 compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed innumbeTsgi
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, e a.,
contained in ten numbers. TO the ms
viii DE prefxed an appropriate tronnII
piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration OF independence, WY
engraved FAC SMILES otibe signatures, 90,
compendious detail of the proeeedlIgs"U
congress, during the passage OF the i p
Each of the lives, unless when il IS ,i In'
practicable, viii be preceded ny nb '.t
ness of the person, engraved by the l'''
artists in the United States. 10
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, maui 'ad
expressly for the purpose, and delivers ..t,
TO subscribers at t1o dollars oadJyy e"'
pernumher, payable Oh delivery r.,
~ subscriptions received at this once
October & u