The North-Carolina standard., 1845-09-24
From the Washington Union.
NATHANIEL MACON.

NATHANIEL MACON.
Some months since, we noticed the announce
meut of au historical sketch Of the late war; by G..
J IngersoIl, esq, I'M. C) Within few days,
we have been favored by the publishers with a
look at some of the sherts, and have permission to
make an extract The following portralture OF
Nathaniel Macon is as curious as it may be IN
struclive. There are few persons who have kept
themselves au eouramt with the leading political
events of the last forty years, who will not turn
with interest tothese pages which describe the
political history of this leader of peculiar sect OF
politicians, as one of the purest men and sterDest
republicans of whom our country can boast. The
volume is nearly ready and will be out in few
days:
< Nathaniel Macon was practical apostle OF a
sect of politicians radically Democratic invincbly
opposed to that small majority of the American
people who organized the federal constitution,
model of regulation. Mr. Macon was opposed to
it. as by far too monarchIcal Hamilton dreaded
anarchy, and deemed the English government the
mildest form of republcanized monarchy. Jetfrr-
son dreaded monarchy, and thought that the Anne
rcan government should be original. Washing
ton, perhaps, doubted the republican experiment i;
but was resolved to make it in good faith, though,
as he said It cost him the last drop OF his blood.
Macon had full faith in the most democratic insti-
er than Mr. Jeheason would have ventured-far
beyond Washington, and to an extent which Ham
iItnu considered anarchical Madison, the disciple
of jefferson, and admirer Of Washington, took
middle ground between them all. Washington,
Jefferson, Madison and Macon all proved the sin
cery of their professions by practising them
through life and to the last, when beyond LIES
common cimacteric, when no selfish or improper
motive could induce it; calmly dying as they llv-
nj c,ithfItI rcSnectiVe nrIncIDIeS
Hamilton was cut of BY an untine'y death, in the
prime of life killed in 4 duel at AZ years OF age,
by Burr on the same spot and about the same
time where and WHEN his eldest son was killed in
q duel He too, no doubt, cherished 10 the last the
poIlics he profresrd. Selecting from the govern
ment of the Old World, ranging from the bow
string d4spotism of Turkey, TO the democratlcal
royalty of ii mother country; the founders OF an
American constitution chose the latter modrl,
rrdncrd it 10 rPPnbIicanisrn, confederation, anc
much enlarged srfrage. MIR. Macon, a soldier OF
The American revolution, native OF State where
English tories most vlndIctIVe and misc hIcV-
GUS aud born as he must have been, an Innate re-
publican. d,trst,d English monarchy, drspiscd
English aristucracY. and never could have been
rrcpncied 10 the turbult nee OF English democr ra-
cy / H., wss a man of middle stature, between SO
and 90 years of age, when / first knew him, with
q round shining, playful countenance, bald and
gray always dressed in the snme plain but not in
elegant manner, and so peculiar in his ideas and
conversation, that of the Jersey members told
him. that if he should happen to be drowned, he
should look for Macon's body up the stream, in
stead oG 1pating with the current. Of distin-
guished family, brought up 10 riches and accom-
plished educdtion he left Princeton college IN the
revolution, not for an epaulrtte and small sword,
but the musket and knapsack of a common SOL
der as such, Unlisted and re-insted in the Ame-
rican army, served long in the ranks-at one time
as a private under the command of his own broth
er-never, it is said, desiring to be commissioned
as an officer Lest this strange perVerson OF COM
mon ambition should seem to imply any dissolute
vulgarty of disposition, it should be added that
his habits tastes and associations were all gentle
manly. perfectly temperate, and without the slight
est touch of unsocial gloomy, or coarse propensI-
ty EIrcted TO the House of Commons OF North
Carolina. he unfurled there his radical banner in
the same quiet inoffensive way that aways marked
his singular career, opposing the adoption of the
federal constitution with all his ability. In 1871,
chosen to the House of Representatives ofthe Uni
ted States he remained there ive-and twenty years
by continual re-eIecuons, having filled the great
station, for a time, Of Speaker Of the House. But
neither his principles his habits fitted him for
its industrious, onerous and absolute If not arbi-
trary functions To rule or govern was disagree.
to him, or to labor. AS speaker, he practised
the principles he always professed, OF the utmost
freedom; letting the house alone to keep itself in
order, without the presiding officers interPosition
"a principle, in theory, so true, that seldom does
a newIyeIecled Speaker retarn thanks for that
honor, without reminding his sufrugans OF the
house that he is but their reflected image and that
unlessthey keep themselves in order, it will be in
vain for him to attempt it. - r. 1ta.
/" In 1876 Macon was translated 10 the Senate,
as representative Of North Carolina in that body.
In 1888, he voluntarily retired from public life,
and spent the rest of his days at home, a planter
and sportsman; to the last, fond of his game OF
whist, the chase, and other recreationA Beloved
by his family, neigkbors, and slaves, in charity
with all mankind, at peace with himself he died
at good old age, with much more veneratiOn
conspicuous personsges His system Of govern
ment was to govern as little as possible. Exten-
sve discussion, and little Legislation, he held to
be the policy and duty ofCongress. Let alone,
was his policy for nations for parties, and for indi