Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-29
By JOHN S.q.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PUBLIC.

" LII y DIN.
When we consider the personal qualities
| of the statesmen whose names are affixed 10
the Declaration of independence. the peri.
| lous occasion which demanded the exertioD
OF their wisdom and deiberation, and the
! influence of their councils on the interests Of
mankind, we must acknowledge tina, 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 commemoration, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
! and generous people. Tb. love of indepen-
dence is interviewer with the, frame and con-
stitution 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
awaked into activity greater exertion of the
vIrtuous energies Of his nature, none has ex.
cited a greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
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 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 10 The inpe-
rishable records OF fame. Ii would indeed
be no favor ble prognostic of The perpetully
of our republican institutions to discover an
insens!blity to the obligations we owe the
| memory Of the illustrioLs patrons Of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
! magnanimiy. from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
| OF sovereign aud independent people they
have asserted and maintained The imprescrp.
! Ii0e rights Of humanity by ihe mutual
! pledge OF their pedgs OF their lives, theirlor-
! tunes and ther So cred donors )" and. as long
! as virtue holds her empire in tie beats Ok
their successors, the example Ct these gene.
| rous beneractors viii moi he lost to The world;
their names will not pass away nGr he ioIgcl.
! ten, or their glorious deeds be confoundetin
| The common ald casual transaction Of lie -
| Ingratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree q
| degeneracy and corruption il Is wee that
! implies the absence OF every virtue il W5
| in the age OF CaiguIa that he name OF tie
| SCipioS was prescribed, that the state Of
| Druus brought death on its possessor
| {" he glory OF our ancestors is the light o.
posterty," and the homage OF The living can.
not be offered 20 the merits OF the ilIustrIOG
dead with an ehectuaI Or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men VITO have humble or ord
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY contempt
ting the life and character OF those Whoa are
marked cut from the multitude by then chi
nent qualities, that we become o39uIous j
virtues and their renoWn. The nophie:
of Aliltades interrupted the sleeps OF 7 henls..
tocles and Thes4as, hearing the eypIoDsd
| Hercules, was fred it'll his spirit, ono te'
! came the successful rival of his fame. Tie
| rude savage o. the desert listens with rapture
! TO the deeds Of bis ancestors. and hangs a
round his hut the embiems OF bis fsthersW
| lour.
More need not be said TO enforce the utility
| Of the publication we have undertaken, ara
which we now submit to the patronage otoN
! fellow citizens. with hope, that from ltss
! Iiberality of their encouragement, We shall
| be able TO present it to the public worthy,
their appreciation. We must depend for tbe
illustration OF many of the characters OF OU
| biography, upon the generosity OF their sur
ylving relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whatever.nterestirg materials may be in tbeH
possession ; for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise a copy OF p
entire work as compensation.
| CONDITIONS. :,
|. The work will be publiihed in numbeTgi
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave. 5Is
contained in ten numb To the DE-
will be prefxed an appropriate tIonlEJ
piece-and the work viii be connW!t5S
with the declaration of independence,VIg5
engraved fac SMILES ofthe signatures aND
a compendium detail of the proceed'nSsS~
congress, during The passage OF the 'Gr.
| Each OF the lives, unless when II is ,.h In
practicable, will be preceded ny ' hS.
ness OF the person, engraved by 'he ~
artists in the United States. ..dp
II. it will be printed on fine paper, mIrd
expressly for the purpose, and f Hdrt 'sp
=. to subscribers at tsoo dollars andty'ys""
pernumber, payable on delivery s,e.
~ Subscriptions IT ceived at this 0H' #