Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-28
By JOEy .s.4NDERSO.y.
TO THE PURTIr

~ IHE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal on,a;.
of the statesmen whose names are afireSss
the Declaration OF Independence, the ~. y
lous occasion which demanded the eys rt,,
OF their wisdom and deIiberstion anST
influence OF their councils on the jnteres,. |
mankind, we must acknowledge tha. r.,"
rarely more imposing spectacle has bs.,
offered TO the world, and we shall seek n
vain iii the annals Of nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofSsm,
cherished forever in the hearts of pr,sS
and generous people. The love of jndpnsn
dence is interviewer with the frame and con
stitution OF the human mind. II js aImn.
the first sentiment that animates the jDfarG.
features in the cradle and amongst all hs
actions and enterprises OF man, none h.,
awaked into activity greater exertion of
virtuous energies Of bis nature, none has eT.
cited greater warmth of veneration. and
has more lmperious claims upon our graf.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and polihc,
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot OF the BE-.
re who has promoted the cause OF liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity d
man. The animated canvas and breadins
marble have rescued his features IRON Le
grasp Of death, and the pen Of the historian
has inscribed the achievements to the impe.
rishable records OF fame. 1t weuld indeed
be no favor bile DrOgnostic of tie pepetuity
OF oGr republican institutions 10 discover an
insensibiity TO the obligations We owe The
memory oftae ilustrioLs patrons of American
freedom. They have raised us, by then
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion Of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of a sovereign ard independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.
iioIe rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their ives, theiriu,.
tunes and their sa cred donors )" 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 will not pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be contoundedm
the common and casual transaction OF life
Ipgratitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree OF
degeneracy and corruption i; il is a vice thai
implies the absence CT every virtue ; il vas
in the age of Caligula that The name OF The
Scipios was prescribed that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor
=" The glory of our ancestors is the lightoI
postcrity," and tie homage of the living can
not be offered to The merits OF the lIustrioG
dead with ali eflectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom lie
achieved By men WHO have hum Die or odd
nary objects in prospect. Ii is BY contempt
ting the life and character OF those wbO1
marked out from The multitude by their enI
nent qualities, that we become emuIous d
their virtues and their renowp. I ne trOpbs
ofAliltiadeS interrupted the sleeps Of 'ihenf
tocles and Theseus, hearing the e2ploitsd
Iiercules, was fired with bis spirit, and BE-
came the successful rival OF his fame, JR
rude savage OF The desert listens with raPtu'
10 the deeds of his ancestors. and bangs &
round his hut the enibiems Of his f4taer'sTi'
iOur.
More need not be said to enforce the utiLI
of the publication we have undertaken, ana
which we aow submit 10 the patronage ct%t'
fellow citizens, with a hope, that from i5S
liberality Of their encouragement re sD'l
be able TO present il 10 the public worthy
their appreciation. We must depend forte
illustration OF many Of the characters 0! cN
biography, upon The generosity OF iherNr
wing relatives and friends, TO furnish usyI1
whatever interesting ma,trisI may heintht1
possession; for which, with our grateful
acknowledgements, we promise copy CT nS
entire cTk as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will lie pubiiihed in numbe'g
bali volumes Of goo pages, octave, -
contained in ten numbers. TO .be DIV
will be prefxed an appropriate tronlIiI
piece--and the work Will Le ccmnun'
withthe declaration of independence wiz
engraved fac Smiles oftbe Signatures, sp
compendious detail OF the proceedings"
congress, during the passage OF The :"I
Each CT the lives, unless wien il j, ID
practicable. will be preceded ly a IF
ness of the person, engraved by the vel
artist. in the United Ststes. "a
II. II will be printed on fine paper nsu
expressly for the purpose, and celFt, 's
TO subscribers at tao dollars 0ad UyW
pernumber, payable on delivery =.
~ Subscriptions re ceiYe9 al this ohIt'