Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-26
BIZ JOHN S.4NDERSON.
TO THE PUBLIC.

| " he TU6LlC.
| When we consider the personal oualitie,
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed IA
the Declaration of independence, the peri.
lous occasion which demanded the exertiop
OF their wisdom and deliberation, 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 commentator, and ofbeng
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Tn. love of inJepen.
| dence is interviewer with the. frame and con-
stitution Of the human mind it is almost
the first sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle /; and amongst all the
actions and enterprises OF man, none has
awaEed into activity greater exerton Of the
vlrtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of veneration, and
has more imperous 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 TO the imp..
be no favor bile prognostic of the perpetuiiy
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility TO the obligations we owe the
memory Of he illuStrioLs patrons OF American
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 mainta med the imprescrp.
tole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge of their lives, theirtor.
tunes and their sa cred 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 10
| the common and Casuai transact of life -
lngratitude is a vice that in nations, as well
| ss individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is a vice that
| implies the absence of every yirlue it vas
in the age OF Caligula that the name OF the
| Scipios was prescribed, that The state OF
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
a." The glory OF our ancestors is the light Of
poSterlty," and the homage OF the Living can.
not be offered 10 the merits OF the iustriOuG
dead with an effectuai or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom he
achieved by men who have hum Die or oIdi-
nary objects in prospect. 1t is BY ccnfempla.
| ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by then em.
nent qualities, that we become eurulOus Of
| their virtues and their renown. HE trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF I Leni:.
tocles and Theseus, hearing the exploits o.
Hercules, was fred with his spirit, and be.
came the successful! rival Of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
| to the deeds of his ancestors. and hangs a.
| round his hut the embiems ofhis fathersya'
Iour.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
Of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit TO the patronage o!oUt
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from tbs
| iiberality OF their encouragement, we shalt
| be able 10 present it to the public worthy Ol
their appreciation. We lust depend for the
| illustration OF many OF the characters Of our
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
| vlving relatives and friends, to furnish US with
! whatever interesting materials may he IN lheH
possession for which, with our grateful sc'
| acknowledgements, we promise copy OF The
entire ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
I. The work will be publiihcd in nunbersoi
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, ana
contained in ten numbers. To The first
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts.
piece-and the work viii be commenced
with the declaration of independence, with
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, and
compendious detail of the proceedings Of
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when it is in
practicable, will be preceded by Ike.
ness of the person, engraved by the bts'
artist. in the United States.
H. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and delivered
to subscribers at txo dollars and Ghyeefe
pernumber, payable on delivery
W. Subscriptions received at this othce
/ m