Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-10-08
NATHANIEL MACON.
Extract from Hon. C. ]. INaERsoLL's forthcom-
ing History of the War of lSl2-'l5)

Extract from Hon. C. J. INGERsoLL's forthcom
ing History of the War of l6l2-'15)
Nathaniel Macon was practical apos
lie of a sect of politicians radically demo.
cratic, invincibly opposed TO that small
majority of the American people who or.
ganzed the federal constitution, modified
10 Republican institutions on the English
model Of regulation. Macon was opposed
TO it, as by far TOO monarchical. Hamilton
dreaded anarchy, and deemed the English
government the mildest form of republican,
lied monarchy. Jefferson dreaded mon.
archy, and thought that the American 90.
yernment should be original. Washing
ion, perhaps, doubted the republican expe-
riment; bu: was resolved 10 make il in
good faith, though, as he said, it cost him
the last drop of his blood. Macon had
full faith in the most democratic institu.
tons, willing to trust the people further,
perhaps, than Jefferson would have ventur-
ed-far beyond Washington-and 10 an
extent which Hamilton considered anarch.
ical. Madison, the disciple Of Jefferson,
and admirer of Washington, took middle
ground between them all. Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, and Macon all proved
the sincerity of their professions, by prac-
ticing them through life, and TO the last,
when beyond life's common clmacteric,
when no selfish or improper motive could
induce it calmly dying as they lived, en-
tirely faithful TO their respective princi-
pies. Hamilton was cut off by an uniime.
ly death, in the prime Of life, killed in
duel at AZ years of age, by Burr, on the
same spot and about the same time where
and when his eldest son was also killed in
a duel. He, too, no doubt cherished 10
the last the politics he protested. Select
ing from the governments Of the Old World,
ranging from the bowstring despotism Of
Turkey, to the democraticaI royalty of
mother country, the founders of all Anne.
rican constitution chose the latter as a
model, reduced il TO repuLlicanism, con.
federation, and much enlarged suffrage.
Mr.. Macon, aFsoldier of the American
revolution, the native of State where
English tories were most vindctive and
mischievous, and born, as he must have
been, an innate republican, detesied En-
gl'sh arlstocracy, and never could have
been reconciled 10 the turbulence of En-
glish democracy. He was man of mid. |
die stature, between so and go years Of
age, when first knew him, with a round, |
shining, playful countenance, bald and
gray, always dressed In the same plain but
not inelegant manner, and so peculiar in |
DIS ideas and conversation, that one of the |
Jersey members told him, that If he should
happen TO be drowned, he should look for
Macon's body up the stream, instead, of
loatIng with the current. OF distin-
gulshed family, brought up 10 riches and
accomplished education, he left Princeton
college in the revolution, not for an epau-
ietle and small sword, but the musket and
knapsaek Of common soldier; as such,
enlisiened and re-enlisied in the American
army, served long in the ranks--at one
time as private under the command of
MS own brother--never, it is said, desiring
% DC commissioned as an officer. Lest
mis- strange perversion Of common ambi
uon should seem TO imply any dissolute vul-
garlty of disposition, il should be added
mat bis habits, tastes, and associations,
were all gentlemanly, perfectly temperate,
ana without the slightest touch Of unsocial,
OF q coarse propensity. Elected to the
House of Commons of North Carolina, he
unlurled there his radical banner in the
same quiet and inotfensive way that always
marked bis singular career, opposing the
auuoplIon Of the federal constitution with
az :, his ability. In 1871, chosen to the
house s Of Representatives Of the United
states, he remained there fve-and-twenly
years y, by continued re-elections, having
in'ed the great station, Tor time, of Speak
!, q that house. But neither his princi-
reg nor his habits fitted him for its indus
a'ous, onerous, and absolute if not arbi-
vary, functions. To rule or govern was
usagreeable to him, or to labor. As a
SPEAKER, he practiced the principles he all
'nays professed, Of the utmost freedom II
sung the house alone 10 keep itself in
"'er' without the presiding officers inter-