Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-09
By JOHN S.qNDERSON.
TO THE PUBITC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are sfiytd n
the Declaration of independence, the ner,
lous occasion which demanded the eyertior
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence OF their councils on the interests Of +
mankind, we must acknowledge that 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
moro worthy OF commemoration, and of being
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
ana generous people. The love of indepen.
dence is interviewer with the,frame and con.
stitution of the human mind. 1t is aImos,
the hrst sentiment that anImates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWaked into activity greater exerton of the
yirtuouS energies of his nature, none has ex-
cited 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 toe
grasp OF death, and the pen Of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO the impe-
rishabe records OF fame. q would indeed
be no favor bic prognostic OF The perpetuity
Of our republican institutions TO discover an
nsensibility to the obligations we owe the
<,I tba If
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion OF
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the impreScTip-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge Of their pledge of their lives, their for
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 -
Ingratitude is vice that in ia IONS, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption ; it is a vice that
implies the absence OF every virtue ; il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Scpios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
Sc The glory of our ancestors is the light 0!
posterity," and the homage Of thelvng can
not be offered to the merits OF the iIlustTlous
dead with an efectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be :
achieved by men who have hum lie or ordi' (
nary objects in prospect. Ii is by ConempIa'
ting the life and character OF those who are f.
marked out from the multitude by their enl,.
nent qualities, that we become emuIous g!
their virtues and their renown. Tbs trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF hemlS.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits o!
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and pc
came the successful rival Of his fame. ne
rude savage Of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs d"
round bis hut the enblems OIL his fathers Va
lour. .,.,
More need not be said to enforce the uiIlly
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we now submit to the patronage Of our
fellow citizens with hope, that from NE
liberality o. their encouragement, we shdit
be able to present it TO the public "oIiDJ u
their appreciation. We must depend lo[ Tue Tue
illustration of many of the characters Of ou.
biography, upon the generosity OF iheIr SUI
vIving relatives and friends, to iurnlsh Us VIZ"
whatever interesting materials may ne ID ii s.
possession /; for which, with our graelufi a.. sV
acknowledgements, we promise copy Ol '''
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in NUMBER 81 -
half volumes OF 200 pages, octave CO..
contained in ten numbers. 10 t1e ~.
will be prefxed an appropriate Honus
piece--and the work viii be commehC!tGG
with the declaration of independence, WIZ
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures a'u;
a compendious detail of the proceeal0gsV'
congress, during the passage OF Inc '$"'
Each OF the lives, unless when II IS . ~,
practicable, will be preceded by IKE IKE
ness of the person, engraved BY Inc O'''
artists n the United States.
III. It will be printed Oh fine paper, may
expressly for the purpose, and de lfe el,fS
to subscribers at taro dollar; ana Jylyee"''
pernumber, payable on delivery 80
*x* Subscriptions received at this ouies'