Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-04
By JOHN S.4.NDERSJy
TO THE PUBLIC

~ l1E PUBLIC
When we consider the personal ouaI,,.
OF the statesmen whose names are a(tiyed ~
the Declaration Of independence. the mar;
louS occasion which demanded the eysrt;on
OF their wisdom and deliberation. and tho
influence OF their councils on the Interest, ~
mankind, we must acknowledge that verv
rarely more imposing spectacle has beeyn
offered to the world, and we shall seak -,
vain ig the Annals OF nations, for an event
morelMIthy OF commemoraton, and OF being
cheriYed forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love Of iHJepep-
dence is interviewer with the frame and con-
sttuion of the human mind. Ii 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 exerion Of the
yrtuOus energies OF MS nature, none ha: ex.
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has mora imperous claims upon cur graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute O!
genius has been paid TO the patriot or the he.
TO 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 impc.
rlshable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognostic Of The perpetuity
of our republican institutions TO discover al
insensiblity to the obligations we owe the
memory OF the iIlustrious patrons Of Americas
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanilnity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation .
OF sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the impresCTip-
tioe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theiror-
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 lie
lngratitude is vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates tie last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is wee thai
implies the absence Of every virtue II was
in the age OF Caligula that the name OF tn:
Scipios was prescribed, that the state o.
Brulus brought death on its possessor. 81,
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Oh
posterity," and the homage of the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the lllus'rl0u'
dead with an etfectua or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom &c
achieved by men who have humble or oFal-
nary objects in prospect. II is by contempIa'
ting the life and character OF those VINO are
marked out from the multitude by then emf
nent qualities, that we become emuouS u
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Nllliades interrupted The seepsol heln'sr
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e1PloilS oi
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, ana ,r Te-
came the successful rival of his fame he
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the embiems OF his iathef Va
lOur. ~,
More need not be said to enforce the utility
of the publication we have undertaken anu
which We now submit TO the patronage u ou'
fellow citizens, with hope, thai from lnG
liberality Of their encouragement, we SD0'
be able TO present it to the public worthy VI
their appreciation. We must depend lot l'e
illustration of many of the characters OF I oul
biography, upon The generosity OF ;net sGt,
wing relatives and friends, to furnish us ~
interesting materia Smay Ne n n ed
possession for which, with our gra'eluf! Ss
acknowledgements, we promise copy o. NV
entire W ork as a compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubIiihed IN numDei or ~
half volumes CT goo pages, o 6c'aT po Srst
contained in ten numbers. 'Ie ,r nis
will be pre6xed an appropriate ra dun,.Id
piece-and the work will be corloen ,e;lb
with the declaration of independence, On" and
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures ~"1
compendiou: detail OF the pFofeesSt a isw
congress, during the passage, Of ,nE i'm,
Each Of the lives, unless wren il lie
practicable, will be preceded by q he hest
ness Of the person, engraved by NC
artists in the United States 80. made
/. It will be printed on fine PaPGSf e. 'Ii ~
expressly for the purpose, ana 1 Sn"cents
to subscribers al t1go dollars ana wy '''''
pernumber, payable on delve very, of6 &c. >,
~ Subscriptions received at'ni' Oil # #
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