Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-28
By JOHN S.f.NDERSO.N
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed 70
the Declaration OF independence. the peri
louS occasion which demanded the eXer9a|
OF their wisdom and deliberaHon, and Inc
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 COmmemoration, and Of being
cherished forever in the hearts of a grateful
and generous people. The love of indepcl.
dence is interviewer with the,frame ana con-.
stitution OF the human mind. II is almost
the first sentiment that anImates the infancs|
features in the cradle ; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none hs;I
awaked into activity greater eXerlion OF the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of veneTation. apiI
has more imperious claims upon our grau-I
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
TO 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 oil fame 1t would indeed
be 20 favor bic prognostic of the perpetui,y
of Our republican institutions TO discover IN
insensibility to the obligations We owe tie
memory OF the iIlustrious patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion CT
foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they|
have asserted and maintained the imprescrlp-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual.
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, their lor-
tunes and their sacred honors :" and, as long
as virtue holds her empire IN the hearts q;
their successors, the example OF these gene
rous benefactors will not be lost 10 the word
their names will not pass away nor be iolgC-
ten, or their glorious Geeds be COMPOUNDED ia
he common and casual transaction OF Lie
Iugratitude is vice that in nations, Is well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the stale Of
BTuluS brought death on It's poSseSsoy.
s. The glory of our ancestors is the light c.
posterity," and the homage Of eliyi5g can
not be offered to the merits of the illusriul
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who have humble OF ort!-
nary objects in prospect. II is BY conlemPIa'
ting the life and character OF those VINO are
marked out from the multitude by then en!..
nent qualities, that We become onuiouS o.
their virtues and their renown. I he tIopNe!
of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps Of ITEMS.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits o!
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival Of his fame. Inc
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs d
round his hut the emblems OF his father va
Jour.
More need not be said TO enforce the Utility
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit 10 the patronage ci oL'
fellow citizens. with hope, that from We
Iiberality of their encouragement, we s"a.
be able to present it to the public WORTHY o.
their appreciation. We must depend i0I u'
VI many VI tic SiLdIoSHN
biography, upon The generosity OF ;ber SUI.
yIving relatives and friends, to furnish Us Wl,b
whatever interesting materials may he m lheI.
possession for which, with our grateful %e
acknowledgements, we promise a copy 81 INC
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed innun0cT' %
half volumes OF geo pages, octave E eve
contained in ten numbers To the n.y.
viii be prefxed an appropriate b'n'N
piece.-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence wa
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures aH'
a compendious detail Of the prOceedIr9sr
congress, during the passage OF the q"
Each OF the lives, unless when II i ,.i ~
practicable, will be preceded BY Ii ~ :.
ness of the person, engraved BY The b's
artists in the United States. a.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, Inaos
expressly for the purpose, and deliver
to subscribers al tao dollars and tyiy''"'
pernumber, payable on delivery a.
~ Subscriptions received a TINS olIt'