Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-10-08

NeNNN SNthVh NOto u uCWll-ClCCltu speaker
return thanks for that honor, without re
mlndlng his suiiragans Of the house that
he Is but their reflected image, and that
unless they keep themselves in order, ii
VIII be in vain for him 10 attemp. it.
In 1916, Macon was translated TO the
: Senate, as representative of North Ca
rolina in that body. In 1928, he volun-
tarily retired from public life, and spent
the rest of his days at home, planter and
sportsman; to the last, fond of his game
OF whist, the chase, and other recreations.
Beloved by his family, neighbors and slaves
in charity with all mankind, at peace
with himself, he died at good old age,
with much more venaiion and influence
than fall to The lot Of many more conspi-
lcuous personnges. His system of govern
ment was, TO govern as little as possible.
Extensive dissension, and little legislation
he held to be the duty and policy of Con-
gresss Let alone, was his policy for ma
tons, for parties, and for individuals; his
strong preference in this respect being
probably strengthened by plantation life
and property, which beget intractabIe in
dependence, and embolden proprietors 10
claim sort of Polish veto against what
ever crosses their homestead, or requires
their submission. Six years service for
Senator, were, in his opinion, five too
many, and one enough for a representative
in Congress. Tyranny begins where an
nual elections end, was one of his max
ms Nofhinr 10 ,,,nro ,,,;co,,t,Io H., .
splendid and expensive government, was
another. He was constant advocate of
frequent elections, that all Offices should |
be elective, and for short terms Of office
not as the only democratic, but likewise
as the most durable tenure. High salaries
he considered mere bats for irregular and
ungovernable ambition have often
heard him triumphanlly argue, that the
annual and even sem.annual judicial cleo
lions in parts of New England, were the
best guarantee for faithful and permanent
service; and he would mention families
kept in office from generation to genera
lion by such elections, as irrefutable proof
of his opinion. Armies, nayies, cities,
and all coercve authority, including taxes,
he opposed, as well as the good behavour
tenure, and political authority OF the Judi
ciary. Unbounded confidence in popular
virtue was the religion of his politics. As
during most of his life British power and
influence were the monsters Of republican
aversion, he was invariably set against
those Jefferson called Angomen, looked
with contempt upon all the imported ape
ries, and what many consider reinemenis
of fashionable life, and with stronger
feeling than contempt on that American
idolatry of England, which predomnated
till the war of 1912, and which is not yet
extinct. Jefferson, a free-thinker, would
level up to the doctrines Of Franklin, Penn,
Locke, and Milton, and extirpate aristo- {
cratic and legal encroachments, which I
have usurped the place of aboriginal liber,
ty and equality. Macon, not so deep in /
thought, literature, or science, as Jefferson, I
would have outstripped him in actual re. I
form. But he was passive, not active, G
radical, except by example. Negation t
was his ward and arm. His economy of i
he public money was the severest, sharp =
EST, most stringent and constant refusal OF
my grant that could be proposed. > Every {
me with legislative experience knows that 9
many, if not most, public donations, boun- p
les, indemnitles, and allowances are I'M Il
ust, often unconstitutional 10 individuals, c
;ommonwealths, corporations, or compa- t
lies. II requires courage, however, and 4
to vote against pensions, COM p
,ensation for alledged wrongs. and the va i
'lous other demands on congressional cha. S
.ty. Mr.. Macon had no such charity, p
il altogether, and kept Inc pub y
ic purse much more stingily than his own. n
With him, not only was optimam rectigal a
neutrality-suspicious. the best subsidy, a
but unicam--ihe only one. No device o
II contriyance could seduce his vote for Il
UGH objects, which are the common con- Il
rivances for local popularity Of most mem b
,ers Of Congress, but were with him repu- Ii
lated to the great Joy Of North Caro- G
ina constituency, not rich, and sharing few c
rational favors Of the kind. 10 the near "
y forty years he served in Congress, no )
en- members gave as many negative votes. p
1e was in opposition throughout much Of &c
he eight years Of Washinglon's, and all N
he four of John Adams's administration; b,
id not coincide with all of Jeh'erson's, ii
nd part of Madison's; preferred restric- e.
ons and measures OF passive suffering, Il
nat he thought might prevent war, which d
Q considered dangerous to republican in 4
titulions, though he voted for il is ne Il
essary evil, and then against most Of the g
trong acts proposed 10 carry il on. Al Of
nough supporting the war with all his az
cart, according to his own peculiar poll e
les, when Monroe, as Secretary Of War, a
allied on Congress for conscriplion to raise II