Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-12
By JOHN S.4NDERSoN..
TO THE PUBLIC.

" tlG L ODLLL. .ite
When we consider the personal ou,a..
of the statesmen whose names are atfYeSs
the Declaration of independence. the NJ.
lous occasion which demanded the even.
OF their wisdom and deliberation. ands
influence of their councils on the interp,i,
mankind, we must acknowledge that van
rarely more imposing spectacle has ben
offered to the world, and we shall seek
vain in the annals of nations, for an even
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbsn,
cherished forever in the hearts OLA grateA
and generous people. The love Of inHjepr
dence is interviewer with the. frame andem
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all d,
actions and enterprises of man, none ha
,awaked into activity greater exertionofth Ii.
yirtuous energies ofhis nature, none has ei.
cited a greater warmth of veneratiun, and +
has more imperious claims upon our gnd. +
tude, than resistance to tyranny and polilal
aggression.
In all republican states the FIRST triht. d
genius has been paid to The patriot orhehe.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and |
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued bis features from d. |
grasp of death, and the pen of the histenl
has inscribed the achievements to the inE
risbable records OF fame. 1t would INDEED
be no favor lble prognostic of the perpstay
of our republican institutions to discoWra
insensibility to the obligations we owe tk |
memory of the illustrioLs patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by ihsr
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominiona
aforeign power, to the distinguished elevator
of a sovereign and independent people ;1g
have asserted and maintained the impresMr
tiole rights of humanity by the : nuua
pledge of their pledge OF their lives, heHfr
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, sshls
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts O
their successors, the example OF these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost to The word
their names willn pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confOunded ID
the common and casual transaction OF life :!
ingratitude is vice that in nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree u
degeneracy and corruption; it is wee tl'l|
implies the absence of every virtue II wal
in the age Of Caligula that the name OF ID;
Scipios was prescribed, that the stale o
Brutus brought death on its possessor,
/" The glory of oprancestors is the llgmS
posterity," and the homage of the living ear
not be offered to the merits OF the llus'rSa
dead with an effectual or sterile admlralm
Great and splendid actions will seldonsN
achieved by men WHO have humble OF 0pF
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempt
ting the life and character OF those who az
marked out from the multitude BY Their tnf
nent qualities, that we become emuloas !: y
their virtues and theirrenown. The iIopAE'
of Miltiades interrupted the sleepso lhtnEt
tocles and Theseus, hearing the eIposI...
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and I V.
came the successful rival OF bis fame. w
rude savage of the desert listens with raP'a'
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs I
round his hut the emblems Of his tatheis'
lour. ,.;,I
More need not be said to enforce the ulln3
of the publication we have undertaken o.. s1s
which we now submit to the patronage @v Il.
citizens. with hope, that from " N
liberality of their encouragement, we .: ssI !
be able to present it to the public worlpj,s,
their appreciation. We must depend lO % W y.
illustration OF many of the characters o. W. ".
biography, upon The generosity Of tbenG ~,
yiving relatives and friends, to furnish usS ".
whateverlnteresting materials may De ID aI p r
possession for which, with our gralelaai 4
acknowledgements, we promise copy Oh y
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS. -.
|. The work WILDE publiihed innunper q
half volumes of 200 pages, octave & &
contained in ten numbers. TO lhs =, q.
will be pre6xed an appropriate ho ~,
piece-and the work will be commsp u
with the declaration of independence, W. ~
engraved fac SMILES OF the signatures, - :,
compendious detail of the proceednfI.s
congress, during the passage OF lns Il
Each Of the lives, unless when II , II,
practicable, will be preceded by NJ II
ness ofthe person, engraved by NC :
artists 10 the United States. nM
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper !; m ~,
expressly for the purpose, ana a ra.',g,
to subscribers at tuo dollars ana .]ytys',
pernun,ber, payable on delivery LIE,
- Subscriptions received attnis o1 Il
October l8