Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1882-01-26

his bodv. Once, on taking the
chair of the House of Representa-
tives, he made this model Of a
speech
"GENTLEMEN Accept my SIN
cere thanks for the honor you have
conferred upon me. Permit me to
assure you that my utmost endeav-
ors will be exerted to discharge the
duties of the chair with fidelity, i'm
partiality and industry, and that L
rely with confidence on the lib
eral and candid support of the
House,"
This laconic style was character
istic of the man. When war was
declared against Great Britain he
sent copy of the following letter
to every postmaster in the district ::
WAsH1NGToN, D. g.,
June IS, 1912.
"SIR:-War was declared agains:
Great Britain yesterday.
NATHANIEL MACON"
He never asked any one to vote
for him, nor did he ever make a
speech in a political campaign. In
fact, he had no campaigns. When
his term expired he went about his
agricultural business precisely as it
a Congressman was not to be cleo
ted. He was supremely indIffer-
ent. II the people chose him he
accepted the election precisely as
Il devout man accepts a Scalp Of
God to preach. His duty to the
people was the first duty in life-it
was his religion, and he did not
consider that he had right to re-,
fase them il they elected him, or to
complain il titey Should ever haye
failed TO elect him. "Government, =
he used TO say, SIS a necessary evil;
the less the better" AW here an
nual elections end tyranny begins. .
He clothed and provided for his
slaves we'll and took the same ten
der care of his sheep and hogs as
OF bis daughters.
Old Nat Macon must have been
an awkward woocr, but he wooed
and married Miss Hannah Plum
iner, the sturdy hohieliness OF whose
hrst name must nave attracted him
| Miss Hannah, however, had anotn-
er lover, aud once, wnen they two
met in her parlor and they all three
talked about the situation, the gen
erons rivals decided to settle the
difficulty, which Miss Haunal
modestly refused to do, by gam.
of cards. This game for such pre-
cious stake is the only gay deed o.
Mr.. Macon's life. He lost. Miss
Hannah, however, must have showr
her sorrow in an encouraging way
for the loser boldly stood up ano
said: "Hannah, l have fairly los
you, but l must have you" Whom
the other suitcr won no history O
North Carolina tells. The ever
looked-for future historian" per-
haps will be able to find out.
| Mr.. Macon once lent a yoke oi
oxen to neighbor, who promises
to return them next morning
They were not returned until nexl
uight. Some time afterwards the
i borrower of oxen wished TO borrow
the same team again. sNo SIR
replied Mr.. Macon, "you promlsee
i before to return them next morn
ing, and you did not bring then
back until night" The rebukee
fellow had nothing to say, ant
turned to go away. "But you will
be very welcome to my team 0
horses if they will do" said Mr.
: Macon, and the fellow took th,
horses and told no more lies.
Old people still remember MI
Macon. In 1885 be presided owe
the constitutional cenvention a
Raleigh that revised the State con
stitution. Before that time th
constitution of North Carolin
contained a provision that mad
7 Catholics and Jews Ineligible t
!, Office. Chiefly through Mr.. Ma
d con s efforts it was left out, and th
J. State became mere worthy of i
: boasted liberty extended alike
= all classes.
n Ia 1928, seven years before th
: convention, he had resigned b
a. seat in the United States Sena
= on account of failing health.
I the same time he resigned his pla
; on the board of trustees OF Il
D. State University aud surrender,
es his commmission as justice of t
; peace.
la -.-
. A fa.r aDi huyorp uY; ;d.,,r w,