Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-08
By JOHN S.qJNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualitsE
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed h.
the Declaration of independence. the perjI
lous occasion which demanded the exertnrF
oil their wisdom and deliberation, and
influence of their councils on the Interests d
mankind, we must acknowledge that veryf
rarely more imposing spectacle has BEEN
offered TO the world, and we shall seek HI
vain in the annals of nations, for an even
more worthy OF commemoration, and OF beinI
cherished forever in the hearts of grsei.E
and generous people. The love of indepepE
dence is interviewer with the frame and cosE
sttution of the human mind. 1t is almost
features in the cradle and amongst all ID!
actions and enterprises of man, none hs
awaked into activity greater exertion Of IT.
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has al
cited greater warmth of veperation, aut:
has more imperous claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance to tyranny and poltlcst
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute d
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be-
TO who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity ol
man. The animated canvas and brealhinaE
marble have rescued his features from ht
grasp of death, and the pen of the hst0raI
has inscribed the achievements 10 the iDpe,
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor ibie prognostic of the perpetuiyI
OF our republican institutions to discover anil
insensibility to the obligations we owe the|
memory OF tae ilustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They. have raised US, by their
nagnanimity from tne arbitrary dominion of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip1
tiole rights of humanity by the $ mutua
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their iGS
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, as loEt
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts
their successors, the example of these gem
rous benefactors will not be lost to the worli
their names will not pass away nor be forget
ten. or their glorious deeds be confoundedn
the common and casual transaction of lite Il
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of.
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue il wal
in the age OF CaIigula that the name of bs!
Scipios was prescribed, that the state al
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
s The glory of our ancestors is the Light III
posterity," and the homage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the iIIustriou|
dead with an ehectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom Be
achieved by men wEo have hum Die or ordr |
nary objects in prospect. Its b. contempt J
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf 7
nent qualities, that we become emulous al
their virtues and their renown. The trophs5
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Thenis I
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the explojt&
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and BE- 4
came the successful rival of his fame. 1hf
rude savage OF the desert listens with raptuH
to the deeds of his ancestors, and bangs q. s
round his hut the embems of his father'sra
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 a hope, that from ths
llberality OF their encouragement, we sbal
be able to present it to the public worthy d
their appreciation. We must depend for ts
illustration OF many of the characters Of oG
biography, upon the generosity of their sut !
vIsing relatives and friends, to furnish US VIII
whateverlnterestipg materials may be in tbsN
possession for which, with our grateful ar
acknowledgements, we promise a copy OF the
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numberstf5
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, sns
contained in ten numbers. To the BIS
will be prehxed an appropriate fronts
piece-and the work will be commence,
with the declaration of independence, win 4
engraved fac similes of the signatures, and Z
a compendious detail of the proceedDgsas
congress, during the passage OF the laFe
Each OF the lives, unless when it is 10
practicable, will be preceded by like /
ness Of the person, engraved by the be-
artists in the United States. il
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, madtt !
expressly for the purpose, and delivers
to subscribers at two dollars and ffycs%
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this office
October l8 Il