Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-28
). By JOHN S.4yNDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal ousliisv
of the statesmen whose names are affixed h
the Declaration of independence, the pei.
lous occasion which demanded the exertim
OF their wisdom and delberation, and b,
influence of their councils on the interest, !
mankind, we must acknowledge tina. ur
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 commemoratlon, and oftew
cherished forever in the hearts of grateii
and generous people. The love Of injepen.
dence is interviewer with the.frame andcor.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is almost
the first sentiment that animal les the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all ID.
actions and enterprises of man, none hy
awaSed into activity a greater exertonoflhs
virtuous energies of his nature, none hasey.
cited greater warmth OF veneratOn an!
has more imperious claims upon our grail
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tebutec
genius has been paid to The patriot or thele
70 who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and digniyd
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 ible prognostic of The perpetuIly
of our republican institutions to discoveIal
insensibility to the obligations we owe tbs
of no cfrtn Of ~
freedom. They have raised US, by Their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary domnionOi
atoreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrp.
tioe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirfT.
tunes and their sacred honors > and, ashg
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 confoundedn
the common aad casual transaction OF life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as Individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it is vice ttaI
implies the absence of every virtue il was
in the age of Caligula that the name Of the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
g The glory of our ancestors is the Lighter
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits of the illustrlOu'
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum5le or oIdE
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contemPIa
ting the life and character of those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emil:
nent qualities, that we become emuous o.
their virtues and their renoWn. The trophies
of Aliltiades interrupted the sleeps of Them',.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits"
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and De-
came the successful rival of his fame. lH
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emblems of his father'sYa'
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the utll'y
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit to the patronage oloH
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lls
lberality of their encouragement, we snS
be able to present it to the public wortbyU
their appreciation. We must depend for 'ne
illustration OF many Of the characters Of ou'
biography, upon The generosity Of tbelrsa,lL,
vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whateyeFlnteresting materials may be ln theH
possession for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF lHs
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
/. The work will be publiihed in numbers!
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, s CIV
contained in ten numbers. 70 the lis'
will be prefxed an appropriate fronlnSi
piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration of independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, aDu,
cempendious detail of the proceedIrgs~D
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when il IS ,. ID.
practicable, will be preceded by Inc h'.,
ness of the person, engraved by The p'''
artists 10 the United States. \.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, msaia
expressly for the purpose, and delFel s,,
to subscribers at t1po dollars and Jyiye s'''
pernumber, payable on delivery r.
~ subscriptions received at this oRl.e'
October 10