Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-20
By JOHN S.4JNDERSOE,
TO THE PUBLIC

when we consider the personal nu.Ia. i
OF the statesmen whose names are sEyoSs' 4
the Declaration of Independence. tho NJ.
lous occasion which demanded the eyo rt.r
oil their wisdom and deliberation. and %a
influence OF their councils on the Interest, ~
mankind, we must acknowledge that vs,"
rarely more imposing spectacle has besS
offered to the world, and we shall sosk -
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofbein,
cherished forever in the hearts of a prsteE1
and generous people. The love of iaJeuss.
dence is interviewer with the frame and cor,
stituiion of the human mind. Il is almr,
the first sentiment that anilnates the infant,
features in the cradle and amongst all d.
actions and enterprises OF man, none h.
awaked into activity greater e1erion Of n,
vIrtuous energies OF his nature, meme has ey.
cited greater warmth Of veneratioD. 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 ts.
TO who has promoted the cause oil 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 inp..
rishabIe records OF fame. 1t would indee:
be no favor lble prognostic Of the perpetuily
of our republican institutions TO discoyepsa
insensibility TO the obligations we owe The
memory Of the illustrious patrons of America
freedom. They have raised US, BY then
magnsnimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign and independent people; they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge of their pledge of their lives, theirfor.
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 beneiactors will not be lost to the world;
their names-Riil not pass away nor be tolgol-
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedin
the common AID casual transaction OF life
lngratitude is vice that in nations, sswel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice thai
implies The absence Of every virtue il Was
in the age Of Caligula that the name OF the
Soipios was prescribed, that tbe state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
s. The glory of our ancestors is the lightO!
posterity,' and the honage Of the hvmg can
not be offered to the merits OF the illustTlCG;
dead with an effectual Or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have humble or OltI.
nary objects in PROSPER. II is by Contempa'
ting the lie and character OF those who ip
marked out irola the multitude " their eHI.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and theirrenonn. The trophies
of Mitiades interrupted the sleeps Of Them;..
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the explol:d
Hercules, was fred with lis spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. ls
rude savage of the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds Of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round bis hut the emblems OF hi. fdther'Sn'
lour.
More need not be said TO enforce Tie utility
of the publication we have undertaken, aHd
which We now submit to the patronage otoG
fellow citizens. with hope, that from lhf
liberality Of their encouragement, We sh'H
be able topresent it 10 the public worthy,%
their appreciation. We must depend for The
Illustration OF many Of the characters OF cv
biography, upon the generosity of their sur
vlving relatives and friends. to furnish US W'lH
whateverlnteresting materials may be in ta:N
possession ; for which, with our grateful az
acknowledgements, we promise copy Of tH
entiress ork as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be pubiiil;ed innunbeT;g =
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, 30,
contained in ten numbers. To The IN
will be prehxed an appropriate iron<ii
piece-and the work viii be commence
with the declaration OF independence, wiz
engraved fac SMILES Of ibe signatures, sru
compendious detail Of the PROCEEDINGS"
congress, during the passage OF the en'
Each OF the lives, unless when il Is ~.
practicable, will be preceded by lhs inc,
ness of the person, engraved by the p'''
artists in the United States. 4.
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, msoSS
expressly for the purpose, and dehSe, ~,
to subscribers at tao dollars end Ytyf''
pernumber, payable on delivery H..
j *x* Subscriptions received at this oHlt.'