The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-16
WAR OF 1925.

Some months since, we noticed the announcement
of an historical sketch Of The late war, by c. j. In
gersoll, esq, en-. c. Within few days, we have
been favored by the publishers with look at some
of the sheets, and have permission to make ex-
tract. The following porrature of Nathaniel Ma
con is as curious as it may be instructive There
are few persons who have kept themselves co,r-
rant with the leading political events of the last for
ty years. who will not turn with interest to these
pages, which describe the political history Of this
leader of peculiar sect of politicians of the
purest men and sternest republicans of whom our
country can boast The volume is nearly ready,
and will be out in few days.
"Nathaniel Macon was a practical apostle Of a
sect of politicians radically democratic, nyinciby
opposed 10 that small majority of the American peo-
Pile who organized the federal constitution modified
to republican Institutions, on the English model OF
regulation. Mr. Macon was opposed to 1t, as by
far too monarchical. Hamilton dreaded anarchy,
and deemed the English government the midest
form of republicanized monarchy. Jefferson dread
ed monarchy, and thought that The American gov
eminent should be original. Washington, perhaps,
doubted the republican experiment; but was re-
solved 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 democratic institutions, willing
would have ventured-far beyond Washington
aud to an extent which Hamilton considered anar-
chical Madison, the disciple of Jefferson and adj
mirer of Washington, took middle ground between
them all. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and
Macon all proved the sincerity of their profess
sions, by practising them through life, and to
the last, when beyond hfes common climac-
teric, when no selfish or improper motive
could induce it; calmly dying as they lived,
entirely faithful to their respective principles.
Hamilton was cut off by an untimey death, in
the prime of fe killed in duel at Az years of age,
by Burr, on the same spot and about the same time
where and when his eldest was also killed IN a
duel He, too, no doubt, cherished to the last the
politics he professed. Selecting from the govern
ment of the Old World, ranging from the bowstring
despo,sm of Turkey, to the democratical royalty OF
a mother country; the founders Of an American con-
sitution chose the latter as model reduced it to
publicanism, confederation and much enlarged SUI
frage. Mr.. Macon, soldier Of the American rev.
olution, the native Of State where English tories
were most vindctive and mischevous, aud born, as
he must have been, an innate republican, deested
English monarchy, despised English aristocracy,
and never could have been reconcied TO the turbu-
lence of English democracy. He was man of mid
die stature between so and 60 years of age; when
FIRST knew him, with round, shining, playful coun-
tenance, bald and gray, always dressed in the same
plain but not inesgant manner, and so peculiar IN his
IDEAS and conversation that of the Jersey men,
beers told him, that IL he should happen to be drown
ed, he should look for Macon's body up the stream,
instead Of floating with the current Of distin-
guished family brought up to riches and accom-
plished education, he left Princeton college IN the
revolution not forSan epauette and small sword, but
the musket and knapsack of common soldier; as
such, enlisted and re-enlisted in the American army
served long in the ranks-at one time as a private
under the command of his own brother--never, il
is said, desiring to be commissioned rs an otfi-
Ger. Lest this strange peryersion of common
ambition should seem TO imply any dissoute vul-
garity Of disposition should be added that his hab-
It's, tastes and associations, all gentlemanly,
perfectly temperate, and without the slightest touch
of nnsocial, gloomy, or coarse propensity. Elected
to the House of Commons of North Carolina he
unfurled there his radical banner in the same quiet
and inofeasye way that always marked his singu-
lar career, opposing the adoption fhe federal con-
stituiion with all his ability In 1871, chosen to the
House of Representatives of the United States, he
remained there fye-and-twenty years by continual
reflections having filed the great station, for time
of Speaker of that house. But neither his princi.
piles nor his habits fitted him for its industrious, oner-
Gus, and absolute, if not arbitrary, functions; 10
rule or govern was disagraeable TO him, or to labor
As speaker, he practsed 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 newly-elected Speaker re-
turn thanks for that honor, without reminding his
image and that unless they keep themselves in or,
der, it will be vain for him to attempt IT,
an 1916 Macon was translated to the Senate, as
n representative of North Carolina in that body
In 1928, he voluntarily retired from public life, aud
spent the rest OF his days at home, planter and
sportsman; to the last fond of his game Of whist tho
chase, and other recreatons. Beloved by his fam.
Nv. neighbors and slaves, In charity with all man
kind al peace with himself, he died at good ole
| ~ and influence thar
fall to the lot Of many more conspicuous personages
His system Of government was 10 govern as little al
possble Extensive dissenson, and little leglsla
ton, he held be the policy and duty Of Congress
Let alone, was his policy for nations, for parties
and for individuals his strong preference in this
life and property, which beget ntractnbe indepen
dence and embolden proprietors to claim sort
Polish veto against whatever crosses their home
stead, or requires their submission Six years ser
vice for senator were, in his opinion ve too many
and one enough for representative in Congress
Tyranny begins where annual elections end, was ont
Of his mayims. Nothing is more miserable thar
splendid and expensive government, was another
He was constant advocate OF frequent elections
that all offices should be elective, and for short terms
of offce-not as the only democratic but likewise a.
the most durable tenure. High salaries he consid
cred mere bats for Irregular and 'ungovernabl'
ambition. have often heard him triumphantly
argue that the annual, and even semi-annual judi
cial elections in parts Of New England, were thu
best guarantee for faithful and permanent service
| and he would mention families kept in office from
generation to generation by such elections as irrefu
table proof Of his opinion. Armies, navies, cities
and all coerciye authority, including taxes, he op
posed, as well as the good-behavior tenure, ant
political authority Of the judiciary. Unboundec
confidence in popular virtue the religion OF hi
politics. As during most Of his life British powe
and influence were the monsters of republican aver
sion he was invariably set against those Jefferso,
called Anglomen, looked with contempt upon al
the imported aperics, and what many consider re-
| fnements of fashionable life, and with stronger
feeling than contempt on that American idoatry
of England, which predominsted I'LL the wa
free-thinkcr, would level up TO the doctrines
of franklin, Penn, Locke, and Milton, ant
extirpate aristocraiic and regal encroachments
which have usurped the place of aboriginal
liberty and equality. Macon, not so deep In thought
literature, or science, Jefferson would have out
| stripped him in actual reform But he was pas
4