Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-01
By JOHN S.f.NDERSO.N.
TO TIE PUBLIC.

TO TIE PUBLIC. s
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration OF Independence. the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the eXenon
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and the 4
influence of their councils on the interests of +
mankind, we must acknowledge tia, 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 commemoraton, and OF being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
aud generous people. Th. love of indepen.
deDce is interviewer with the, frame and con.
stituiion of the human mind 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaked into activity greater exerton OF the +
virtuous energies Of his nature, none has ex-
cited a greater warmth of veneration, andH
has more imperious claims upon our grati.s
| 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 brealhIngI
{ marble haye rescued his features iron theI
grasp OF death, and the pen of the historian
| has inscribed The achievements to The impe-|
| risbable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic of The perpetuity
Of our republican institutions 10 discover an
| jnsensibility to the obligations we owe the
| memory Of the ilIustrioLs patrons OF Americaal
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 imprescrip.
| tiOle rights OF humanity by the mutual
| pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theiioT-
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 the world;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
| ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
| The common and casual transaction OF lie -
| lngratitude is a vice that in nations. as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
| degeneracy and corruption il is a vice that
implies the absence CT every virtue ii was
in the age of Calgula that the name CT the
! Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
! nrutus brought death on lis possessor.
\
posterity," and the homage of tbelivne can
| not be offered to the merits OF the ilusiriOGS
!! dead with an efectUal or sterile admission
Great and splendid actions will seldom lie /
| achieved by men WHO have hum Die or oId. [
nary objects in prospect. It's BY contempla
! ting the life and character OF those who are /
marked cut from the multitude by their emf
nent qualities, that we become enulCus j
/ thnir x,;,fp 4 II IiItX
ofMiltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Tkeni.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits
Hercules, was fred with bis spirit, and le
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
! TO the deeds OF his ancestors, and hang. a.
round his hut the emblems of his fdthersW \
Iour.
| More need not be said to enforce the utility
OF the publication we have undertaken, ala T
which we now submit to the patronage otcuf
fellow citizens. with hope, that from The
Iiberality OF their encouragement, we sjaI
be able to present 1t 10 the public wOrthyUN
their appreciation. We must depend for the I
illustration OF many of the characters OF oT'
biography, upon The generosity OF ;heirsuIr'
viving relatives and friends, TO furnish Us VIII
whatever interesting materials may he in tbeIf {
possession for which, with our grateful st'
knoWiedsments, We promise copy OF si'
entire Work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
| |. The work will be publiihed in numbeTGi
half volumes of eco pages, octave, anu
contained in ten numbers. To the h!'
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts
| piece-and the wak Will be commerce
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES oftbe signatures, 'Ho
compendiou, detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the la"
Each OF the lives, unless when it IS In
practicable, will be preceded ~ a l,S'
, ness of the person, engraved ~ The p'
artists in the United States. 40
] II. It will be printed on fine paper; me-.
expressly for the purpose, and c en-, s..n
to subscribers at tao dollars md Jy 90"
pernumber, payable on delivery n,o
~ Subscriptions received at tins oHt u
October Is