The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-11-15
Nathaniel Macon.
Specia; Correspondence Of the Gold Lea

Specid! Correspondence Of the Cold Leaf.
In the earlier days of our Republic some
men figured on the stage called great men.
Mr.. Macon of Warren county was one of
them. He was prudent, cautious man,
which gave him the reputation of having
more legislative wisdom than he possessed.
Few men commenced earlier and continued
i'll pnblic life longer than he did. He left
college when young to enter the army as
private in our struggle for freedom and,
strange to say, would receive no pay for
his services. His vote in Congress showed
he did not want any one else to receive any.
While encamped on the Iadkin river III
Green's army he was summoned to return
home to occupy seat in the Legislature of
his State. His countymen had elected him
without consulting him i'll the matter.
Quitting camp life he returned home to
mingle with the illuStriou> ones of the
nation for nearly half century. He
served i'll Congress, either as Representa-
tive or Senator under every President from
Washington to john Q. Adams. In 1928.
having arrived at the age of three score
and ten years, he resigned his seat in the
Senate of the U. S. and came home to ell
joy its quietS. Though wanting i'll that
Drilliancy of intellect that characterized
more gifted ones around him he had the
confidence of his constituents that loved
him and delighted to honor him. His
ccuntymen thought there was no man on
earth like "Old Nat. Macon''-or Con
gresS Nat. as he was sometimes Familiarity
called. On one OCCASION he came to Louis
burg, in Franklin county, on Tuesday of
court week. Some of his friends wanted
him to give them speech. He declined,
saying, he had known men to talk them
selves clear out Of popularity" His bump
of caution induced him at times, like the
Indians tree, to lean the wrong way.
While opposing what he termed "eXtrava-
gance in Congress-" he did not always dis
criminate as to what was a proper OF I'M
proper appropriation of public money.
Carrying out his ideas of economy, in 1912
he voted for the war against England, and
then voted against apprOpriating money to
successfully prosecute it. Strange idea in
withholding the implements of warfare.
Happily foI the country wiser heads con-
| trolled the finances and the country went
forward maintaining her honor and her
rights until the closing scene. when the
clarion voice Of Andrew Jackson was heard
| leading the defenders of New Orleans Oh
| to victory. Whatever his misconceptions
of duty were at times his cOuntrymen be-
| lieved him actuated by the purest motives,
| honestly desiring the welfare OF his cOun-
try. He had his peculiaritieS and INDUCED
them. While other CoEgressmeR wore
their pantaloons outside of their boots he
wore his boots outside. His wishing to be
buried III a sterile place unfit for cultiva-
ton, with white fint rocks heaped upon
his grave was novel idea to us. 1t seems
| to us a more appropriate spot would have
! been by the side of his wife i'll the family
burying ground, with suitable monument
placed by kind friends to point to his rest.
his death. but history will point to his
| deeds, and survivors will think of HIM as
| the true patriot and lover OF his country.
| Henderson. y, Z. 4, W. Il.