Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-25
By JOHN S.4yNDERSON.
TO THE pIIRIIc

TO THE PUBLIC.
| When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
| OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the
| influence OF their councils on the interests Of
! 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 indepen-
dence is interviewer with the<frame and con-
stltution OF the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, 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 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 impe-
rishabe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favorable prognostic Of the perpetuty
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations we owe the
memory OF tae ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanlmity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tioe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, their for
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 benefa YRS 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
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue it 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 light OF
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the ilIustriOus
dead with an efectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi
nary objects in prospect. Ills by coniempla-
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude BY their emf
pent qualities, that we become emuous Of
their virtues and their renoWn The trophies
Of tod olo L.,
oces and Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, md be-
came the successful rival of his fame The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs a.
round his hut the emblems ofhis fatber'sVa'
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
liberalty of their encouragement, we shall.
be able to present it to the public worthy oil
| their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many of the characters OF ouF
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
viving relatives and friends, TO furnish US Wl6
whateverlnteresting materials may be ID nth
| possession for which, with our gratetu! s0,
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF ln'
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publihed in numberso,,
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sDo
contained in ten numbers. To the hiS'
| will be prefxed an appropriate tronusi,
| piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIN
engraved fac SMILES of TIE signatures, ana
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the Ia"'
Each OF the lives, unless when ii is inl'
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness Of the person, engraved by the bes'
artists in the United States.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and delIVeTeu
| to subscribers at too dollars and fftgce"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this othcee
October II