Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-26
By JOHN G4NDERSON
TO THE PUBLIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ouaIit;aa
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration OF independence. the ner;.
lous occasion which demanded the exertion
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and tho
influence OF their councils on the interest, of
mankind, we must acknowledge that yery
rarely a more imposing spectacle has been
offered 10 the world, and we shall seek im
vain IN the annals OF nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbeine.
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love Of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
sttution 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
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 our graf.
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 be.
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, AID the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO the impe
rishable records OF fame 1t would ndeet
be no favor t5le prognostic of the perpetuiJ
OF our republican institutions 70 discover an
insensibiity TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of the ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanmity, from the arbitrary dominion of
a foreign power, TO the distinguished elevation
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip-
tioe rights Of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theiI 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
rous benefactors 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 life
lngrstitude is vice that in nations, as well
az individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is vice tia /
implies the absence of every virtue il wa
in the age of Caligula that the name OF th
Scipio: was prescribed, that the state d
Brutus brought death on its possessor. |
" The glory of our ancestors is the lighto
posterity," and the homage Of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the ilusrOU
dead with all effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or OrdI'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempIa
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their EN-.
nent qualities, that we become emuOus Of
their virtues and theirrenown. The trophie;
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps of Themis:.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1ploisot
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his fathers va.
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage ofou
fellow citizens. with hope, that lron the B
liberality of their encouragement, we shall
be able TO present it to the public worthy d
their appreciation We must depend for the I
Illustration OF many of the characters Of our
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish Us with
whateyerinterestng materials may be in theI'
possession; for which, with our grateful &C;
acknowledgements, we promise copy of tbs
entire DIRK as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers OF
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, and
contained in ten numbers. To the first
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronts;
pece--and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence, viii,
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, aHd,
compendiou: detail of the proceedingsOf
congress, during the passage o! The la"'
Each OF the lives. unless when it is In
practicable, will be preceded by lie
ness of the person, engraved by the best
artists in the United States.
H. 1t will be printed on fine paper, made
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at tao dollars and Hftyc:nN
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions receiyed at this Office