Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-18
BIZ JOHN .S.qNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC. +
When we consider the personal uualidsE
of the statesmen whose names are affixed III
the Declaration of independence, the perE
lous occasion which demanded the exenpF
OF their wisdom and deliberation, andh,f
influence OF their councils on the Interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. prk
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek h
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeiwl
cherished forever in the hearts of grateijE
and generous people. The love of indepep.
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is alms
the first sentiment that animates the Infant; (
features in the cradle and amongst all b Z
actions and enterprises OF man, none Ia
awaked into activity greater exertionofhI
vrtuous energies of his nature, none has En-
cited greater warmth of veneration siE
has more imperiovs claims upon our graf
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and pOlitlc:E
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d
genius has been paid to the patriot OF the he E
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty anil
maintained the independence and dignity
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from Ii,
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the imps
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor lble prognostic of The perpetuiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensbility to the obligations we owe tbe|
memory of the illustrious patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, by theh|
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion O
foreign power, to The distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrr I
tiole rights of humanity by the "mutaI
pledge of&heir pledge of their lives, theiria I
tunes and their sacred honors - and, aslogS
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts d
their successors, the example of these gem.
rous bsnefactors will not be lost to the word;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedl
the common and casual transaction of life
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree d!
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice tall
implies the absence of every virtue il vas
in the age of Caligula that the name OF a:
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor. :.
:" The glory of ourancestors is the ligh0l|
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the illusrlOG
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom BE-
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempE'
ting the life and character OF those whoaf
marked out from the multitude by their emil,
nent qualities, that we become emulou; o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades Interrupted the sleeps Of Thenls
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1plolt;S
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be |
came the successful rival Of his fame. lN
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the DEF Is of his ancestors, and bangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his fatheriW
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit to the patronage Oloul
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lpS
liberality of their encouragement, we sh'li
US dUiC " PicSeHt IL 10 Tie t'uDiiC HUV
their appreciation. We must depend TOT 'h
illustration OF many of the characters Of Oai
biography, upon the generosity Of their SUI "!
vIving relatives and friends, to furnish US wy.
whateverinteresting materials may be in ihs l
possession for which, with our grateful A.
acknowledgements, we promise a copy Of 'D'
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS. :.
|. The work will be publiihed in Dufnben W.
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, s sS
contained in ten numbers. To the W..
will be prefxed an appropriate iron ..5
piece-and the work will be commtn ~
with the declaration of independence, WIN WV
engraved fac similes of the signatures, sno
compendious detail of the proceedpgssrr
congress, during the passage OF the i'm; n,
Each OF the lives, unless when II Is ,;s ~.
practicable, will be preceded by 10, hs.,
ness of the person, engraved by Inc ~
artists in the United States. ,de
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, n Drsd
expressly for the purpose, and delI' emf,
to subscribers at tapo dollar, and. H1'ys''
pernumber, payable on delivery FIRE
~ Subscriptions received at this o"t #
October 10