Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-08
By JOHN S.qyNDERSO.N.
TO TIE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouslife,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence. the DER.
lous occasion which demanded the eyertin
OF their wisdom and deliberaton. and he
influence of their councils on the interests Il
mankind, we must acknowledge tia. very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek n
vain in the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbejng
cherished forever in the hearts of graeii
and generous people. TIL. love of indepeD
dence is interviewer with the4frame and con-
stitution fthe human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that anilnstes the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaked into activity greater eXerlion Of the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of yeneration and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the FIRST tributeol
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignityOi
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from The
grasp OF death, AID the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to The impe.
rishable records OF fame II would indeed
be no tayCr ,ble pr0gnostic of the peTpetuty
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibllity to the obligations we owe The
memory OF he iliustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity. from the arbitrary dominionoi
aloreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the . mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirtor.
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
IS virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene
r0us benetactors viii, moi be lost to the world;
their names viii not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be CoDlOundedn
The common and casual transaction OF lite
lngratitude is vice that IN nations, as wei
az individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy anu corruption; il IS wee thai
implies the absence Ut every Vllne 1t was
IN the age of Caligula that the name OF the
So;pios was prescribed, that the state OF
Brutus brought death on It's possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Oh
posterity," and the homage Of the ljyiug can
not be offered to the merits of the llustrlOu'
dead with an efectUa or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom De
achieved by men who have humble or oTol'
nary objects in prospect. l!isby contempla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by then eml..
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and theirrenown. The trophies
of Nliltiades interrupted the sleeps OF ] bemsrt
tocies and Theseus, hearing the exploits Oh
Hercules, was fred with his spirit. and ne-
came the successful rival OF his fame. he
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his fdtbersVa'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utII'y
Of The publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF cur
fellow citizens, with a hope, that from 'hS
lberality OF their encouragement, we shan
be able to present il to the public worthy OF
their appreciation. We must depend tor lne s
Illustration OF many of the characters OF ouF
biography, upon lde SeuGIositJ W ~" ~
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US Tltn
whatevernteresting materials may be in theh
possession for which, with our gratetui! &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF wv
entire " ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers .,
half volumes OF eco pages, octave s sIa
contained in ten numbers. 10 the nis'
viii be prefxed an appropriate ironlsdI
piece-and the work will be commences
witbthe Geclsration of INDEPENDENCE, WIZ
engraved fac Smiles ofthe signatures, anu
cempendious detaifoi the proct edlngsU'
congress, during the passage OF the "a"
Each OF the lives, unless when II IS -. ,in'
practicable, will be preceded by h nv
ssof the person, engraved ty inc D''
artists inthe United States. a,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, msa aJ
expressly for the purpose, and no d Ht,ees
to subscribers al fupo dollars ana JY'y ee"''
pernumber, payable onsdelivery
w Subscriptions received atthis OFT =
October 8