Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-12
By JOHN S4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PTIRTJC

TO THE PUBLIC
When we consider the personal ouaIt;os
OF the statesmen whose names are aAiyed ~
the Declaration of independence. the neri.
lous occasion which demanded the eyert;on
OF their wisdom and deliberatiop. and tho
influence OF their councils on the Interests ot
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
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 ofhejng
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people The love of indepep.
dence IS interviewer with the frame and con.
stitution OF the human mind 1t is almost
the hrst sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWaked INTO activity greater exertion of the
vlrtuous energies of-his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and politlca!
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 bic prognostic of the perpetuily
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory of the ilIustrioLs patrons OF American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
nagnanimity. from the arbitrary dominion Of
aiorelgn pow n, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tinle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirfor.
tunes and their sacred honors !" and, as long
rs virtue holds her empire in the hearts Of
their successors, the example of these gene
rous benef9ctors will not be lost to the word;
their names will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedm
ths common and casual transaction OF life -
ingratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies the absence OF every virtue il was
in the age OF Caligula that the name OF the
Seipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
1.-The glory of our ancestors is the lighto
and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the iustriOus
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord'
nary objects in prospect. Il is by contempIa-
ing the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emuIous Of
heir virtues and their reno|n. The trophies
If Miltiades interrupted the sleeps Of 'lhemls.
oces and Theseus, hearing the exploits o.
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival OF his fame. The
'ude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
o the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs a.
'ound his hut the emblems of his fathers va
our.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
If the publication we have undertaken, and
which We now submit TO the patronage OF our
elbow citizens with hope, that from Toe
iberalty OF their encouragement, we shSL
De able to present it to the public worthy@
heir appreciation. We must depend tor 'De
Illustration OF many of the characters OF oul
biography, upon The generosity OF Their SUI.
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US TllD
interesting materials may be IN ihsh
possession !; for which. with our grateful az
we promise a copy Of 'H'
ntire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
!. The work will be publiihed in nunber'gS
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, ss5
contained in ten numbers. To the D"
will be prehxed an appropriate iroDuJ
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, aDu;
compendiou. detail of the proceedings"
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when II IS ~
practicable, will be preceded by IKE
ness of the person, engraved by Inc "'
artists n the United States ).
I. It will be printed on fine paper, Tnsu(5
expressly for the purpose, and dellVele
to subscribers at t1ao dollars ana. tfty csnD
pernumber, payable on delivery r.
~ Subscriptions received at this onts'
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