Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-02
By JOHN S.qNDERSON.,
TO THE PJJBIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ousli,a.
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence. the nsr
lous occasion which demanded the exero,
OF their wisdom and deliberation and hs
influence OF their councils on the Interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge tha. yeT
rarely a more imposing spectacle has bee,
offered to the world, and we shall seek n
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbein,
cherished forever in the hearts of pratei7
and generous people. The love of indepcb
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con-
stitution ofthe human mind. Il is aImoa
the ilrst sentiment that anlmateS The infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all at
actions and enterprises OF man, none ha,
sawaked into activity a greater exertion of The
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey.
cited a greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graf.
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.
no who has promoted the cause OF liberty aDi
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from lie
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the imps-
rishable records OF fame. II would indeed
be no favorable prognostic of The perpetuity
Of our republican institutions TO discover an
insensibiIity 70 the obligations We owe The
memory of he illustrious patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, tbeirfOr.
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 benetactors will not be lost TO tie world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be contOunded in
the common and casual transaction OF life
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree 0!
degeneracy and corruption it is vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue 1t was
in the age of CaliguIa that the name Oh the
Scipios was prescribed, that the stale Of
Brutus brought death on its posscssor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Oh
posterity," and the homage Of the ly1g can,
not be offered to the merits OF The liIuSIiGGs
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or c1G!'
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempa'
ting the lite and character OF those VINO arc
marked out from the multitude by their emil,
nent qualities, that we becomt emUiouS; o.
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of MiItiades Interrupted the sleeps OF henlh..
tocles and Theseus, hearing the eZpEoIlsol
Hercules, was fred with bis spirit, and q &C.
came the successful rival of his lame. lDs
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
TO the deeds Of his ancestors. and hangs a.
round bis hut the embIems cfhs tdhersR'
iour.
More need not be said to enforce the uiIlHy
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit 10 The patronage Of ouI
fellow citizens. with q hope, that from 'ls I,
liberality of their encouragement, we sOsn
be able TO present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend TOR ut
illustration OF many of the characters OF ou
biography, upon the generosity o! their SUI "
viving relatives and friends, 20 furnish us WIZ
Whateyerlnteresting materials may be in iheH
possession; for which, with cur grateful a.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF lps
entire W. DIRK as 9 compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be ppbliihed in numbeIsgi
half volumes of eco pages, octave, s sns
contained in fen numbers. 10 tbe NV
Will be prefxed an appropriate lrohlEJ
pece--and The work VIII lie commenet.ss
with tie decisystion Of Independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES ofthe signatures, slU,
a compendiou: detail Of tie rroceedinfssv'
congress, during the passage OF ne H.; -.
Each OF tho lives, unless WREN II IS ,I ~
practicable, VIII preceded ly n Iot
ness of the person, engraved BY NE W.
artists in the United States. .Js
ii. 1t will be printed on fine paper, med ,sd
expressly for the purpose, and celi' ',s,,
to subscribers al tao dollars and Jy'y CIR
pernumber, payable on delivery &C.,
~ Subscriptions received at this o"t''
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