Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-04
By JOHN S.q.NDERSuN.
TO THE PUBLIC

~ TIE fUSLlE,
When we consider the personal cr.re,
OF The statesmen whose names are aSy@ 'S'a
the Declaration of Independence tbe ~
lous occasion which demanded the sv FsR
OF their wisdom and deiberation snS ~
influence OF their councils on the interas,I !
mankind, we must acknowledge ths, ~
rarely more imposing spectacle has Is.!!
offered TO the world, aud we shall sest - :
vain in the annals of nations, for an CIV.
more worthy OF commemoration. and nfbaa
cherished forever in the hearts of crs5
and generous people. The love Of i6jep.,
dence IS interviewer with the. frame andr%
stitution of the human mind. Il is almsg
the lrst sentiment that animates the inl,s
features in the cradle and amongst al a.
actions and enterprises OF man, none M
awased into activity greater exertion ofM
vlrtuous energies of his nature, none bSr
cited greater warmth of veneration M
has more imperious claims upon cur grG
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and pOiidrJ
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d
genius has been paid TO The patriot or tbebs.
no who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas ard bfea6iw
marble have rescued his features from 4,
grasp Of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 HE inre.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would Indeed
be no favor .ble prognostic of The perptuiiy
Of Our republican institutions to discover az
insensibility to the obligations we owe tie
memory Of ire illustrious patrons Of America
freedom. They have rsised US, by Then
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominiond
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people; hey
have asserted and maintained the inprescip
tio!e rights of humanity by the ''mutus
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeiI for
tunes and their sacred donors !" and, as loR
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts d
their SUCCESSORS, the example of these gene
rous benefactOrs will not be lost to the work,
their names will not pass away nor be foisot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedt
The common and casual transaction Of life
Ingratitude is a vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice ttil
implies the absence of every virtue il wa
in The age Of Caligula that the name Of tie
Scipios was prescribed, that the state d.
BrUtus brought death en- its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the lishi@
posterity," and the homage of the living t'h'
not be offered to the merits OF the IIusf1oa
dead with an efectua or sterile adnptnp
Great and splendid actions will seldom b
achieved by men WHO have humble OF olGr
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempt
ting the life and character of those who YAK
marked out from the multitude by Their eTI,,
nent qualities, that We become enulcG o.
their virtues and their rsnown. The hoEh!s
of Miltiades interrupted the sleepscf Thsnr,
tocies and Theseus, hearing the eypoI.H
Hercules, was fred With lis spirit, and D.
came the successful rival of bis fame. ~
rude saysgasof rheldsssM listens with rlpiVH
toCthe deeds of bis ancestors, and bsrgS
round his but the embiens ofhls tdther:H'
lour. .a.
More nesd not be said to enforce the uilIy
of the publication we have undertaken ~
which ws now submit 10 the patronage aG
fellow citizens, with hope, that ,r ~ U \
liberality oatheir encoptsgemea,, WE 81; |;
be able TO present it 10 the.rublie woI2J !.
their appreciation. We must depend ioIN
illustration of many of the characters o. y
biography, upon The generosity OF :hefIa,
yiyino relatives and friends. to furnish U.s. VIZ
whatevermteFesting materials may be aipa
possession for which, with our gfaleii,'an 4.
acknowledgements, wepromise copy O. -
ell!ire work as compeGsatleg.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed innunhH..iI
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, e. =,
contained in ten numbers. 10 TIE "
will be pre6xed an appropriate HON. 'i
piece-and the work will be comIrtg "a
with the declaration of independence, VA "a
engraved fac Smiles oftbe signatures. y,
sompendious detail of the proceedleE..ss
congress, during the passage OF me :. i IN,
Each OF the lives, unless wien u y r T.
practicable, will be preceded ~ 2 M l.,
ness of the person, engraved ty 'ne >
artists in the United States. n.i,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper; h.
expressly for the purpose, ana d s6"d
to subscribers at tao dollars ana .l)'s'
pernumber, payable on delivery ,Hts.
~ Subscriptions received at ibis OD
October 18