Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-26
By JOHN !S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider tie personal ous,i,i,,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed r.
the Declaration OF Independence. the nov,
lous occasion which demanded the eysr,;".
OF their wisdom and deIiberatiop. audi
influence OF their councils on the Interests u
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. yerr
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek n
vain in the annals OF nations, for an even,
more worthy Ot commentator. and ofb4ng
cherished forever in the hearts of grateGI
and generous people. The love of indeper.
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stitution of the human mind. Il is almoa
the first sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst oil he
actions ami enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion oftb,
virtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of generation. 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
10 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity 0!
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features IRON The
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements 10 The impe,
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor ible prognostic OF the perpeuitY
OF our republican institutions to discOyersn
insensibiiity TO the obligations we owe TIE
memory of the illustrious patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised us, by their
magnanimty, from the arbitrary domincno!
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people (; ihey
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
liole rights of humanity by the "muua!
pledge Of their pledge of their lives, theirfor.
tunes and their sacred honors;" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example Of these gene
rous benefactors will mol be lost 10 the world:
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED 10
the common and casual transaction of life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, IS vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age Of CaliguIa that the name OF The
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brulus brought death on its possessor,
The glory of Our ancestors is the lighlG
posterity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered to the merits Of the iIu5tTiUu
dead with all etfectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldOmbe
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord.
nary objects in prospect. ltisby contempt
ting the life and character OF these Ehoss
marked out from the multitude By their emf
nent qualities, that we become emulOus o.
their virtues and theirrenown. The tropics
of Miltadcs interrupted the sleeps Of Ihemi.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploilsd
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be.
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptun
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embiems of his fathersH
lOur.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which We now submit to the patronage OfcG
fellow citizens with hope, that from he
liberality of their encouragement, we shsII
be able to present it to the Public wOrtbyH
their appreciation. We must depend for The
illustration OF many Of the characters Of otl
biography, upon The generosity oil ;beirsoli.
vIring relatives and friends, to furnish Us VIZ
whatever interesting materials may be in lbes
possession /; for which, with oar grateful ~
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of lS'
entire ok as 4 compensation.
CoKDITIoNs.
|. The work will be pubIiihed innumbeFg
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, an
conta ned in ten numbers. To the BIZ
will be prefxed an appropriate froDSg
piece~-and the work will be commence
with the declaration OF independence, VIII
engraved lac Smiles of the signatures, aE
eompendiou: detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF ne IaS
Each OF the lives, unless when il is ID
practicable, will be preceded ty I,'r
ness of the person, engraved by The I"
artists in the UnitedSt n
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper. mae
expressly for the purpose, and celNass
to subscribers al ttco dollars nndUg"'
pernumber, payable on delivery r..
~ Subscriptions received al this ONCE
October ~ u