Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-10
BIZ JOHN S.fyNDERSOJN.
TO THE PUBLIC.

" TIE ~ DIN.
When we consider the personal Qualities
of the statesmen whose names are affixed IA
the Declaration of Independence. the DER.
lous occasion which demanded the exertjop
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the
influence of their councils on the interests OF
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 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. tn. love of inJepen
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stitution of the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anmates 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 ey.
cited greater warmth of veneration, 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, aud the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
be no favorable prognostic Of the perpetuty
of our republican institutions to discover au
inseDsiblity TO the obligations we owe the
memory of the illustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity from tne arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
Of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained The implesCrp
tiole rights of humanity by TIE mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theIfo
tunes and their Sd cred honors :" and, 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 word;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds he conloundedm
the common aad casual transaction OF life -
lugratitude is vice that in nations, as we'd
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
| degeneracy and corruption il is a vice that
implies the absence of every virue il vas
in the age OF Caligula that The name Of The
Scipios was prescribed, that the state ct
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
he glory OF our ancestors is Tie lightOl
posterty," and the homage of the living Can.
| not be offered to the merits OF the iilusrOI
dead with aD effeCtuai or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom te
achieved by men WHO have hum Die or OIdi.
nary objects in prospect. Il is by conemph.
ting the life and character of those Hho are
marked out from the multitude by their eml.
ib,t R<<
their virtues and theirrenoWn. I he Trophies
of Nliltiades interrupted the sleeps Of | bems.
tocles and Theseus, hearing tie exploits
Hercules, was fred with lis spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of llis fame Ibs
rude savage OF The desert listens W tE rapuIs
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the emblems fhis fatler'sT .
lour.
More need not be said TO enforce the utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit TO the patronage ofouF
fellow citizens. with hope, that iron The
liberality OF their encouragement, wc Shall
be able 10 present it TO the public wortLy Of
their appreciation. We must depend for Tie
illustration OF many of the characters OF cur
biography, upon The generosity of ;beirsuf,
vWing relatives and friends, to furnish US WIN
whatever interesting materials may be in hef
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
| acknowledgements, we promise copy OF the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in numbers,
half volumes of geo pages, octave, sna
contained in ten numbers. go the liIs!
will be preExed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commtDGtGa
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the Signatures, an,
compendiou. detail of the proceedings o.
congress, during the passage OF the Ia''
Each OF the lives, unless when it is IN
practicable, will be preceded Iy a IKE,
ness of the person, engraved ~ The be"
artists in the United States. ;.
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and dell'eieu
to subscribers at tao dollars and Jyycf'"
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this once