Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-04
BHJOHN ,S.lNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

" I1E u DIN.
When we consider the personal oualite,
OF tbe statesmen whose names are affixed 70
the Declaration of Independence. the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertiop
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 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. Tb. love of indepeD.
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infant;
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion OF the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of venerstion, 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
TO 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 imp.
rishable records oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic Of the perpetuily
OF our republican institutions to discover 40
nsensiblity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory OF The iliustrioLs patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion o.
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescHp.
| liole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theiriCr.
tunes and their So cred honors :" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts q
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactOrs will not be lost TO the world
their names will not pass away nor he iolgO
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedin
The common and casual transaction of lite -
| lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the ast-degret o.
| de9eneraCy and corruption !; il is vice thai
| implies the absence of every virtue il vas
| 10 the age of Caligula that the name OF the
| Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
Z" The glory of our ancestors is the Lighted
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the ilusiriOus
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration,
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men WHO have hum Die OF o,dt
nary objects in prospect. Ii is BY conitmpla'
ting the life and character of those who sr
mark ed out from the multitude by their EN-.
| nent qualities, that we become emulCus J
their virtues and their renoWn. The tIophe.
| of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Ihtmi:.
toces and Theseus, hearing the expoilsd
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and te'
came the successful rival of his fame. 9bt
rude savage OF the desert listens W th Rapture
| to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems ofhis fathef'sut
lour.
More need not be said TO enforce the UTILITY
OF the publication we have undertaken, aIG
which we now submit to the patronage OioII
| fellow citizens. witha hope, that from he
lberality of their encouragement, we sfaIi.
be able to present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration OF many of the characters CT CcI
biography, upon The generosity of their SUI
| NINiliS lSidlirSS dhS iItSuOS, w lUlDIou
whateverlnteresting materials may be in fhef
possession for which, with our grateful az
| acknowledgements, we promise copy OF Tue
entire work as compensation.
] CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubiihed in numbers,
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sDu
contained in ten numbers. TO the DE-
will be prefxed an appropriate froDpt,
piece-and the work will be commerce
with the declaration of independence, VII,
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures, SDU
compendious detail of The proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the 'am
| Each OF the lives, unless when II Is ,., ~
| practicable, will be preceded by a lb me,
| ness of the person, engraved ~ The ce''
artists inthe United States. !,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mss55
expressly for the purpose, sDd deliver.
to subscribers al tho dollars and. lyiye'"
pernumber, payable on delivery n.
| ~ Subscriptions received at this oihee'