Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-17
By JOHN S.qNDERSON
TO THE PUBIC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal c,,ln
of the statesmen whose names are afS ,,s.
the Declaration of independence, tTe ~.
lous occasion which demanded the eys rt.I
OF their wisdom and deIiberaton, aniS.
influence OF their councils on the ineresi. y
mankind, we must acknowledge tba, y.,s
rarely more imposing spectacle las bs.g'
offered to the world, and we shall sssI
vain in the annals Of nations, for an sysn.
more worthy OF commenoration and ofbsr,
cherished forever in the hearts of prasii
and generous people. TIL. love of i6Ien@
dence is interviewer with tbe,frame sndr,
stitution OF the human mind. Ii il aImos
the first sentiment that animates the inf,nS'
features in the cradle and amongst all 4,
actions and enterprises of man. none h,
awaked into activity greater exertion oi6,
virtuous energies Of bis nature, none has q,
cited greater warmth of yeneration. ami
has more imperious claims upon our erst.
tude, than resistance TO tyranny and poiillc.I |
aggression.
In all republican states The FIRST tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot OF the be. /
no who has promoted the cause Of liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breahE
marble have rescued his features from ID!
grasp Of death, and the pen of the histuan
has inscribed the achievements TO The ing.
rishable records OF fame. 1t would INDEED
be no favor bic prognostic of The perpelgiJ
Of our republican institutions 10 discoyasr
insensibility 10 the obligations we owe tie
memory of he illusrious patrons OF America
freedom. They have raised US, by tteir
nagnanimity, from the arbitrary doninjcn Of
atoreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained The imprescHp.
tinle rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, tbeirfor.
tunes and their sacred honors )" and, asiong
as virtue holds her empire in The hearts 0:
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 conlounded ID
the common and casual transaction OF lie
lDgratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates The last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption il is a vice thai
implies the absence of every virtue II was
in the age of Caligula that the name Of The
Scipios was prescribed, that the stale o.
Brutus brought death on its posSessor >.
I" The glory of Cur ancestors is the llghIo
posterity," and the homage of the lvhg can
not be offered to the merits OF the lIIusffleS
dead with an efectua or sterile admITalon
Great and splendid actions will seldom d
achieved by men wEo have humble or clGF
nary objects in prospect. IL IS by conenPr
ting the life and character OF those WnoN
marked out from the multitude by then Ell,
nent qualities, that we become tmuIou;;
their virtues and their renown. The tloln"
of Miltiades interrupted the sleepsot J hens
tocles and Iheseus, hearing the eIplCSIi.a
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, an0 T y,
came The successful rival of his tame w
rude savage OF the desert listens With TaPpN
TO the deeds Of his ancestors, and bangs
round his hut the emblems fhis tatlers''
lour. -.
More need not be said to enforce the uipg
Of the publication we have undertaken, az -,
which we now submit to the patronage a.s
fellow citizens. with a hope, that lron n n
liberality of their encouragement, we M
be able to present it 10 the public Woilgs
their appreciation. We must depend IOi u,
illustration OF many of the characters o. y,
biography, upon The generosity oil ihefsb
viving relatives and friends, to furnish usI W.
whateverlnterestiDg materials may ne ID W. y,
possession for which, with our gra'elTIII 4,
acknowledgements, we promise copy v
entire " ork as compensation.
CoNDIT IONS. .,,r
l. The work will be publiihed innun1erSGi
half volumes of 200 pages, %, 0c'sIu' I'd
contained in ten numbers. 10 'pt AZ.
will be prehxed an appropriate nv a@I
piece-and the work will be cemn'n IN
with the declaration Of indePenoebce, nd
engraved fac simiIes of tbe signa'uItes,'".OI
compendiou detail of the proeeea"t, E,
congress, during the passage OF ,pe in.
Each OF the lives, unless when.N IKE.
practicable, will be preceded ny be.t
ness of the person, engraved by NV
artists 10 the United States. made
II. Ii will be printed on fac parst .liirerd
expressly for the purpose, and c Hed.t,rl,
to subscribers at too dollars and Jvy"
pernumber, payable on delivery cry. oses.
~ Subscriptions received at THIS 'd