Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-10-08
CARRoLLToN. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER s. 1915.

poslilon-a principle, in theory, so true
that seldom does a newly-elected Speaker
return thanks for that honor, without re.
mlnding his suaragans of the house thai
he is but their reflected image, and thai
unless they keep themselves in order, i
will be in vain for him to attempt it.
In 1916, Macon was translated to the
Senate, as representative Of North Ca.
rollna in that body. In 1923, he volun.
tarlly retired from public life, and spenl
the rest OF his days at home, planter ant
sportsman; to the last, fond of his game
OF whist, the chase, and other recreations
Beloved by his family, neighbors and slaves
lin charity with all mankind, at peace
with himself, he died at good old age
with much more venation and influence
than fall to the lot Of many more conspi
cuous personages. 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,
gress. Let alone, was his policy for ma.
tons, for parties, and for individuals; bis
strong preference in this respect being
probably strengthened by plantation life
and property, which beget intractabe in
dependence, and embolden proprietors to
claim sort of Polish veto against what
ever crosses their homestead, or requires
their submission. Six years. service for
a 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
inns. Nothing is moEe miserable than a
splendid and expensive government. was
another. lie, was a 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 triumphandy argue, that the
annual and even semi.annuaI 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
ilon by such elections, as irrefutable proof
OF his opinion. Armies, navies, cities,
and all coerciye authority, including taxes,
he opposed, as well as the good-behayiour
tenure, andpolitical authority OF the Judi
ciary, Unbouaded. confidence in popular
virtue was the religion of his politics. As
during most Of his life British power and
influence were the monsters @ sGatices
aversion, he was. invariably. t,ne of
those Jefferson called Anglomen, looled
with contempt upon. all the imported ape
ries, and what many consider reGnements
of fashionable life, and with a stronger
feeling than contempt on that American
idoIatry Of England, which predominated
till the war of 1912, and which is not yet
extinct. Jefferson, free thinker, would
level up to the doctrines of Franklin, Penn,
Locke, and Milton, and extirpate aristo-
cratic and legal encfoachments, which
have usurped the place of aboriginal hber.
ty and equality. Macon, not so deep in
thought, literature, or science, as Jefferson,
would have outstripped him in actual re.
form. But he was passive, not active,
radical, except by example. Negation
was his ward and arm. His economy OF
the public money was the severest, sharp
est, most stringent and constant refusal Of
any grant that could be proposed. Every
one with legislative experience knows that
many, if not most, public donations, boun
ties, indemnIties, and allowances are un-
just, often unconstitutional, to individuals
commemorative, corporations, or compa.
MES. Ii requires courage, however. and
tortItude, to vote against pensions, com
pensation for alledged wrongs. and the va
rious other demands on congressional cha.
rity. Mr.. Macon had no such charity
disclairned it altogether, and kept the pub.
lie purse much more stingily than his own
With him, not on y was Optianam Uectigd
neutrality-suspicious. the best subsidy
but u1licum-the only one. No device
or continuance could seduce his vote fol
such objects, which are the common con
trivances for1ocal popularity of most mem
bers of Congress, but we're with him repu
dated TO the great Joy of a North Caro-
lima constituency, not rich, and sharing few
national favors Of the kind. In the near
" forty years he served in Congress, M
ten members gave as many negative votes
He was in opposition throughout much o
the eight years of Washington's, and al
the four of John Adams's administration
did not coincide with all Of Jefferson's
and part of Madison's; preferred restric
tons and measures of passive suffering
that he thought might prevent war. whicl
he considered dangerous to republican in
stitutions, though he voted for it is ne
cessary evil, and then against most of tn
strong acts proposed TO carry it.on. AL
though supporting the war with all hi
heart, according to his own peculiar poll
ties. when Monroe, as Secretary of War
called on Congress for CONSUMPTION to rails
an army, and Dallas, as Secretary OF tn,
Treasury. required all the taxes to be nue.
. 1 IL lods