Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-05
By JOHN S.4.NDERSON
TO THE PURIJr

" NE FUBLlC.
When We consider the personal or,,;,;o.
OF the statesmen whose names are atEvod -
the Declaration of independence. the nar
lous occasion which demanded the eyart;on
OF their wisdom and deIberation. and ,Ta
influence OF their councils on the in,erest. 81
mankind, we must acknowledge that vsr,,
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall Seek r.
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration. and Of heino
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inJepen.
dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stltutlon OF the human mind. Il is aImoss
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all The
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWased into activity greater eyerion of the
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has ey
cited greater warmth of yeneratop. and
has mora lmperious 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 q
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from the
grasp OF death, aud the pen of the historian
has Inscribed the achievements to the impe-
rIshable records oil fame. Ii would INDEED
be no favor Bile prognostie of he perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insenslblity TO the obligations we owe the
memory OF the illusrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
nagnanlmity, 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, theirlor-
tunes and their sacred honors - and, as long
IS 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 confounded in
The common and casual transaction OF life -
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneTaCy and corruption ii is vice that
in the age of Caligula that The name OF the
ScIplos was prescribed, that the state Of
Bruus brought death on its possessor
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterity,' and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the illustrloui
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or OFdl'
nary objects in prospect. 1t is by contempla'
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renowD. The trophies
Of Miltiades interrupted The sleeps OF ihemIS-.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and pc
came the successful rival of bis fame. The
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the cmb!ems OF his fathers va
Jour
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken, anu
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF cur
fellow citizens, with hope, that from me
IiberaIity of their encouragement, we snail
be able to present it TO the public worthy oi
their appreciation. We must depend tor the
Illustration OF many of the characters OF our
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US WIZ
whatever interesting material may be IN theiF
possession; for which, with our grateful &C;
we promise copy OF tHe
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS,
I. The work will be publiihed innumbers OF
half volumes OF 200 pages, octave, aana
contained in ten numbers To the hIsF
will be prehxed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, WITH
engraved fac Smiles ofihe signatures. ano.
a compendiou: detail of the proceedings oil
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when 1t IS ini'
practicable, viii be preceded by Ike,
ness of the person, engraved by the oes'
artists 10 the United States.
|. It will be printed on fine paper, maze
expressly for the purpose, and deiivereu
to subscribers at too dollars daaJytyc GEMS
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at tins OIL &c