Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-22
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed IA
the Declaration OF independence. the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiOD
OF their wisdom and delberaton. and the
! influence OF their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals Of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemorate ion, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
stitutlon of the human mind Il is almost
the first sentiment that anmates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity a greater exertion Of the
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth Of generation, and
has more lmperious 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 prognostic Of the perpetui!y
of our republican institutions to discover an
| insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory of the iIusrioLs patrons of American
| freedom. They have raised us, by their
| magnanlmity, from the arbitrary dominion of
atorelgn power, TO the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people; they
! have asserted and maintained the mprescIip-
tinle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF +
! their successors, the example of these gene E
| rous benefactors will not be lost TO the world; r
| their names will not pass away nor be forgot &
| ten, or their glorious deeds be coniounded IN R
| the common and casual transaction OF lie
! ingratitude is vice that in nations, as wei 81
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
| degeneracy and corruption /; 1t is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue II was
in the age of CaliguIa that the name OF the
| Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
s. The glory of our ancestors is the light O!
| posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the illusrlOu'
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
| Great and splendid actions will seldom be
| achieved by men who have humble or oTd'
| nary objects in prospect. II is by centempla'
| ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become cmuous o.
| their virtues and their renoWn. The trophies
| of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps OF IhemE;,
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits; oil
Hercules, was fired with hls spirit, and d. De-
came the successful rival OF his fame. Inc
| to the deeds of his ancestors, and bang: a.
round his hut the emblems ofhis fathersya'
| lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, aDa
which we now submit to the patronage OF oa'
fellow citizens. with hope, that from llS
liberality of their encouragement, we shaI;
be able TO present it to the public worthy u
their appreciation. We must depend tor lDe
| Illustration OF many of the characters OF oH
biography, upon The generosity OF ;beTs3IL,
| wing relatives and friends, toturnIsh US TIH 3
whatever interesting materials may be ID non
possession for which, with our grateful a.
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
l. The work will be publiihed in nun oeIS u
half volumes of 200 pages, octave E cnI
contained in ten numbers. 10 me n!s'
will be prefxed an appropriate iTonaSd
piece--and the work will be commeDV;sSS
with the declaration of independence, WIN WIN
engraved fac SMILES ofthe signatures, aDot
compendious detail of the proceeIdIDg9ssvS
congress, during the passage OF the 'G a. r.
Each OF the lives, unless when it Is ri T..
practicable, will be preceded by Ih Ias,
ness of the person, engraved by the p''' ii
artists in the United States. 4. r
III. 1t will be printed on fAe paper, MAJ
expressly for the purpose, and dc 'el err,
to subscribers at tao dollars and tttyCS'"
peraumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this ONCE