Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-18
By JOHN Sq.NDERSO,N
TO THE PI1RIIr


When we consider the personal quslifi,,
OF the statesmen whose names are affyed ' -
the Declaration of independence. the nar y
lous occasion which demanded the eys Tfr,,
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and ,ba
influence OF their councils on the Interests ~
mankind, we must acknowledge that verv
rarely a more imposing spectacle has hem
offered to the world, and we shall seek IN
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commentator. and Of being
cherished forever in the hearts Of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen.
dence Is interviewer with the. frame and con.
stitution Oft the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animales the infants
features in the cradle and amongst ali the
actions and enterprises of man, none ha,
awaked into activity greater exertion 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 tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the be.
70 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 10 the impe.
rishable records OF fame. II would indeed
be no avor,ble prognostic Of The perpetuity
Of our republican institutions TO discover an
insensbiity to the obligations we owe the
memory of the ilustrioGs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescTip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge Of their lives, theiri for
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as long
az virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benef1ctors will not be lost to the world;
their names will not pass away nor be foisot'
ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundedn
he common and casual transaction OF life
lpgratitude is a vice that in nations, as we.
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption 1t IS vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue II was
in the age Of Caligula that the name OF the:
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Oh
Brulus brought death on its possessor. ,
=" The glory of our ancestors is the lIghto
posterity," and the homage OF the llymg eau.
not be offered to the merits OF the llIus'rOos
dead with an efectua or sterile admralCa'
Great and splendid actions will seldom DC
achieved by men who have hum Die or OTGI-
nary objects in prospect. 1t IS by conte,mPa-
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their ehII ?
nent qualities, that we become emulouSs o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF hemhr =
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1PloHi o.
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, sho o. 0e'
came the successful rival of his fame. De
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs d
round his hut the emblems OF his iathersFa'
lour .,,
More need not be said to enforce the utilly|
of the publication we have undertaken, any
which we now submit to the patronage OF gu
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from 'Is|
liberality of their encouragement, we Sha'
be able to present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend Tor lH'
illustration of many Of the characters OF o.
biography, upon The generosity oil 'belfS!t
wing relatives and friends, to furnish us vi,
whatever interesting materialSma he 10 IHe,
possession fer which, with our grateful a., "a
acknowledgements, we promise COPY Oh 1"
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publihed in nunbes q
half volumes of 200 pages, octave s :nt
contained in ten numbers. 10 Inc Ga
will be prefxed an appropriate iTon ..1
piece-and the work will be commen'ssSb
with the declaration of independence VI" 'nd
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures :, aIS
a compendiou; detail Of the proceeeSdHi:'wr
congress, during the passage, OF the IN; in.
Each OF the lives, unless when II j , b.
practicable, will be preceded by ' hs,
ness of the person, engraved by the U''
artists 10 the United States. u,de
Ii. # will be printed on fine paper, . mSoG
expressly for the purpose, and a .eane,sb
TO subscribers at tao dollars andYty''""
Der number, payable OF delivery a,o
" 90. ntva1 at this 0llCe'