Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-16
By JOHN .S.ANDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal cuaE,;.s
of the statesmen whose names are afiyed to
the Declaration OF independence, the peri
lous occasion which demanded the exertiop
OF their wisdom and deiiberation, 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 commemorative, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Tue love of iHdepen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. Ii is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exertion of the
yirtuous energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon eur graft
tude, than resistance to tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot OF the ne.
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 oil fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor tbie prognostic Of the perpetuiy
OF oGr republican institutions TO discover an
insensibiIity 10 the obligations we owe the
memory OF the iIIustriouS patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
nagnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, 10 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, theirtor-
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 benefactors will not be lost to the world;
their names will NOT pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedi in
he common and casual transaction OF life
Ingratiude is a vice that in nations, as wei
ss individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption; ii is vice thai
implies the absence Of every virtue it was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF The
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Bruus brought death on its possessor.
&c The glory OF our ancestors is the light OF
posterity," and the homage of heIivirg can.
not be offered to the merits OF the ilustriou'
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble OF oTd'
nary objects in prospect. II is b. cenlempIa'
ting the life and character OF these who are
marked out from the multitude by their emil.
nent qualities, that we become emuous Of
their virtues and their rcnowR. The trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF lhemIsIc
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exPloIlse!
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listenswlth rapture
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs q
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va
Jour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit to the patronage OF oI
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lns
liberality of their encouragement, we shSp
be able TO present it to the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend Tor iDs
illustration OF many of the characters OF on
biography, upon The generosity of their SUI.
yiving relatives and friends, to furnish Us WIZ,
whatever interesting materials may be IN hen
possession for which, with our grateful 70.
acknowledgements, we promise copy 81 w
entire oTk as compensation.
coNDITloEs. =.
|. The work will be publiihed in nunbeHs%J
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, s sn
contained in ten numbers. TO the I
will be prefxed an appropriate lronnii s
piece-and the work will be comIhen'ab
with the declaration of independence. ",di
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures a'f
compendious detail of the proceetdlngissTS'
congress, during the passage, OF tue 'G IN,
Each OF the lives, unless when 1t Is , 10 +
practicable, will be preceded by a IN,
ness of the person, engraved by he p'
artists in the United States. ado
ii. 1t will be printed On fac paper, med
expressly for the purpose, and d ea,'easy
to subscribers at tto dollars and ttlyc'""
per number, payable on delivery a..
C,,bcrriptioue l-eceIVed AT this OHIIN'