Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-03
By JOHN S.fNDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

~ The PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal oualit;e,
of the statesmen whose names are AFFIXED !"
the Declaration of independence. the ne,;
lous occasion which demanded the eyeror
OF their wisdom and deIiberation. and be
influence OF their councils on the interests n
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
! vain in the annals Of nations, for an eyes-
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeipo
cherished forever in the hearts of a grateGi
and generous people. Tb. love of i6jepeu
dence is interviewer with the4frame and con-
stitution ofthe human mind. 1t is almoy
the first sentiment that animales the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all The
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton of the
vrtuous energies of his nature, none has ey
cited greater warmth of veneration, 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.
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 TO The impe.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostc of the perpetuity
of our republican institutions TO discover an
inseDsibility TO the obligations we owe The
memory OF tae illustrioLs patrons of America
IN -, al -.
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
aioreign power, to the distinguished elevation
o! sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp
,ole rights OF humanity by the mutual
pledge OF thsir pledge OF their lives, therfor
tunes and their acred honors !" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example Of these GENE.
rous benelactors will not be lost to the word;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be conioundedir
the common aad Casnal transaction OF lie
irgratituoe is a vice that in nations. 2s wed
as individuals, indicates the last degree O.
desencracy and corruption; il is vice tLa
implies the absence Of every virtue IL vas
in the age OF Cdligula that the name OF the
Sclplos was prescribed, that the state Of
Blutus brought death 90 its possessOr.
:" The glory OF our ancestors is the Iigbtd
posterity," and tie homage of Tie Iiyie can.
rot be offered to the merits Of the iIlustroU
dead with an eilectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who lave humble OF oIdt
nary objects in prospect. il is b, conlempl1
ting the lie and chara cter OF those who are
marked out from tie multitude b. then en
merit qualities, that We become tmuIous j
theirvrtues and their Bown. Tie TOPPLES
OF Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 7 hCni:.
tocles; and / heseus, hearing The expIOil:d
Hercules, was fired with lis spirit, 5Hd lC'
came the successful rival of his fame Tie
ruCe savage OF the desert listens with ramue
to the deeds OF his ancestors. and bang. a.
round his hut the embiems ofhis ldther'sU.
Iour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF The publication we have undertaken ard
which we now submit to The patronage ciCu;
fellow citizens, with hope, that from lLe
liberality of their encouragement, We shall
be able to present it 10 the public worthyC
their appreciation. We must depend for Ibe
illustration OF many Of the characters Of cur
ppSihPhJ, uPoh 'HC SCitIOSU} U! tbche GU,
vIsing relatives and friends, to furnish us With
whateyermtcresting materials may be in then
possession for which, with our grateful &C.
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF The
entire W DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publHhed in numbers,
half volumes Of eco pages, octave, an!
contained in ten numbers. TO the b."
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration Of independence, VII,
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, aDC
compendiou. detail of the proceedings"
congress, during The passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when If IS In'
practicable, will be preceded by l,sti
ness of the person, engraved by the De"
artists 10 tie Uaited States. !.
IL. 1t will be printed on fine paper, maoi
expressly for the purpose, and delI'elsr
to subscribers at tapo dollars ondVyt"'
pern.lmber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this Once
0ctnber ~ u