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

of these measures, especially consumption
we're of rigor beyond the law When
Mr.. Eppes, the son-in-aw of Mr.. Jeffer.
son, chairman of the Committee of Ways
and Means during the war, had constitu-
tional scruples rs 20 some of these mea-
sures, Monroe said that we should look to
the constitution after war; but that, with
the capital sacked, and the enemy threat.
ening us at all points, from Pittsburgh &c
New Orleans, we must put forth the whole
force of the nation, without too scrupulous
regard to what was constitutional. When
in patriotic effort, Dallas poured out flood
of paper in treasury notes, one of Macon's
maXims was, that paper money was never
beat. Without ever losing the confidence
of his party, no member of it so often vo-
ted against them. Tenacious and inhex-
IDLE, remonstrance availed nothing with
him. lie never quarrellcd about bis fire.
quent nays, but never abandoned or redu-
ced them. Not tacilurn or austere, he was
a frequent speaker, always good humored
and ocular, but always selEopinionated
Macon had ingram preference for the adj
the faculties, both mental and bodily, for
distinction, for courage, eloquence, endu-
rance, and every kind of eminence. No
man should live, he said, where he can
hear his neighbours dog bark. Sometimes.
when a city member addressed the house
10 his satisfaction, he would loosely say,
| liked that: what a pity you were born
and brought up in town; but for that you
might have come TO something, Towns
he thought unCavorabIe to the fervor and
fortitude which stimulate excelleace. Fri
viIous occupations take place of earnest
contemplation and enterprise. Reading is
not of the right sort. if there be not even
too much of it, Rural life is less stagnant,
more racy, more thoughtful and self de-
pendant When it is not only rural, but
border life, full of exposure, adventure
and exploit, Itobviously conduces TO great
er strength of character. Some savagism
may become mixed with il, which does not
detract from the strength, however it may
occasionally tarnish the civilization Not
one of the greatest Presidents of the Uni
ted States laid the basis of his elevation in
a city Washington, Napoleon, Jackson,
were sylvan born-born to effort and en-
DURANGO. believe Macon never held any
Office other than By populareloction. In
deed, he was too fond of ease for the Ia
borious responsibility of executive place.
lie is an illustrous example Of the emf
Aence and celebrity attainable by faithful
service in Congress, with moderate abili-
ties, constant integrity, and no Interior or
untoward ambition.
Few public speakers, secretaries, minis
ters, or Judges, aspirants or incumbents of
place by executive choice, fill, with poste-
rity, so large a space IN public esteem as
Nathaniel Macon, or exercised as much
influence in any Office Born and cducat-
ed among what Jefferson calls natural aris-
tocracy, the aristocracy of virtue and Ia
Tents, Macon's distinction is that he loved
the people. Learning, eloquence, and ac-
ton were not bis merits. During his
nearly forty years in Congress, he hardly
| ever proposed any measure; but sincen-
ty, simplicity, moderation, forbearance and
integrity gave him titles to respect. which
make even his memory influential. Arti-
fetal aristocracy, by birth or wealth, JEFF
ferson deemed mischievous ingredien: in
government, whose ascendancy should be
prevented. But natural aristocracy, by vir-
tueand talents, he regarded as the most pre-
cious gift of nature for the instruction,
trusts, and government Of society; and
that form of government the best, which
provides most efectually for their pure Sc
lection into the offices of government
Some think that the aristocracy should be
put in a separate chamber of legislation
where they may be hndered from doing
mischief by coordinate branches, and be
a protection TO wealth against the agrarian
and plunderlng enterprises of q majority
of the people. THAT" wrote Jefferson
to Adams, is your opinion; while think
that the American constitution provides a
better remedy, by leaving the free separa.
ton and election of the natural aristocra.
cy from the mass, who will, in general
choose the good and the wise. Wealth
will take care of itself Cabals in the
Senate Of the United States furnish many
proofs that to give an elevated class power
to prevent mischief, is. to arm them for it. ,
| Macon's equality and radicalism went fa
beyond Jeffcrson's. But he was an mac
tive reformer, and merely by the force o
example, as the American republic acts OF
the rest of the world. A planter of mo
| derate fortune, coveting no more, dislikins
the labor gained wealth of professional
! life, and the chances of trade, he disre
| garded the vexatious yanities of riches o
Office, except that of serving the people
as one Of many lawmakers, among whom
too, his rule was TO do as little as possible
After serving a quarter of century in TIL
j House of Representatives, what mos
would consider promotion TO the Senate
! was, perhaps, departure fromlis principles
i Did he deem il rotation IN office2 a nrin