Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-17
By JOHN S.4NDERSO.N.
TO THE PURI.Jr

~, liz DIN,
When we consider the personal oua,is..
OF the statesmen whose names are affiyed -
the Declaration of independence, the nsr;
lous occasion which demanded the exertio,
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and tho
influence OF their councils on the interests ri
mankind, we must acknowledge that vow
rarely more imposing spectacle has hper
offered to the world, and We shall seek II
vain in the annals Of nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration, and of helms
cherished forever in the hearts of grateff
and generous people. The love of inJepen
dence is interviewer with the, frame and CON
stItutlon Of the human mind. 1t is almos
the first sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle ; and amongst all The
actions AMI enterprises of man, none bs,
awaked into activity greater exerton of The
vlrtuous energies of his nature, none has ey.
cited greater warmth of yeneration, and
has more lmperious claims upon our graft
tude, than resistance to tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to the patriot or the be.
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 impe-
risbable records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostic Of the perpetuity
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibility to the obligations we owe the
memory of the illustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
magnanimity, from the arbitrary dominion O..
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescrip.H
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 life :
lgratitude is vice that in nations, as well
as individuals, indicates the last degree o.
degeneracy and corruption it IS vice that
implies the absence of every virtue it was
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 Lighter
posterity," and the homage of the living can /
not be offered to the merits OF the flusrlOls
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration. 7
Great and splendid actions will seldom be /
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordl-
nary objects in prospect. II is BY contempa-
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emil.
nent qualities, that we become emulous Of
their virtues and their renown. The trophies
of Nliltiades interrupted the sleeps of 1hemls,,
tocles; and Theseus, hearing the exploits OF
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of his fame. lbe
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the embiems of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the ntillty|
of the publication we have undertaken, and
which we now submit to the patronage OF our
fellow citizens. with a hope, that from thes|
liberality of their encouragement, we snail
be able TO present it to The public worthy oil
their appreciation. We must depend for the
Illustration OF many of the characters of our
biography, upon the generosity OF their sur
wing relatives and friends, to furnish US wiu
whatever interesting materials may be in then
possession; for which, with our grateful aa
we promise copy OF Inc
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers o.
half volumes Of 200 pages, octave, ana
contained in ten numbers. To the hn'
will be prefxed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commence
with the declaration of independence, win
engraved fac Smiles of the signatures, apu
compendious detail of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the lsT'
Each OF the lives. unless when 1t lS.im
practicable, will be preceded by IKE,
ness of the person, engraved by the Ue''
artists 10 the United States.
I. 1t will be printed on fine paper, H'auJj
expressly for the purpose, and delVeIcn
to subscribers at tyvo dollars and Ettycsn''
pernumber, payable on delivery
~ Subscriptions received at this ONCE