The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-24

rected. only by pile of rough flint
stones.
san epitome OF the sketches Of Macon
by Benton, Edwards and Peele in the
Lives of Distinguished North CAROLYN
ians" forms the framework of this essay;
but much additional Information has
been drawn from the newspapers Of Ma
cons time and from the biographies of
his contemporaries. also from the fol-
lowing works: "Abridgement of Debates
in Congress- 1791-1826; Debates in N.
c. Constitutional Convention, 1885; AN
nails OF Congress- Wheelers History,
and the North Carolina Colonial Re-
Cords
H.-MACON'S CHARACTER AND POLL
TICAL PRINCIPLES
Having given this brief spetch of his
lie, l shall now say something of Ma
con character and political principles.
IN polltlcs, he was a member Of the or
lslnal Republican-later known as the
democratic party. Honesty, indepen-
dence, faith in the ability of the people
10 settle properly all political questions,
ana opposition to all unnecessary (and
perhaps some necessary appropriations,
were his strong points politically.
lie was democratic in the broadcast and
deepest sense of that word He opposed
the adoption of the United States Consti-
tuition because he did not consider il
democratic enough, and refused to en-
dorse the work of the State Constitutional
Convention Of 1885, chiefly because the
new Constitution did not provide for an
nual elections, which he considered "a
fundamental principle of Republican lib
erty." THE people, said he, should
pass upon the acts Of their representa-
tives at least once a year. l prefer the
tempest of liberty to the calm of des-
potism.
Macon wished to keep all political power
directly in the hands of the people. More
than once he complained of the con-
stantly increasing power of the executive
department of the government He would
accept no office mot the gift of the people
or their intermediate representatives the
legislature" Twice he refused a posi-
ton in Jefferson's cabinet but the insig-
nificant office, justice of the peace, to
which the people of his county directly
called him, was not too small for him to
accept.
One of his Congressional colleagues. who
knew him as friend and as a states
man, says that Macon would trust the
people further than Jefferson would have
ventured, far beyond Washington, and to
an extent that Hamilton would have pro-
nounced anarchical
Scorning the arts of the demagogue,
however, he made no display Of his devo-
tion to the people and to their cause;
never made popular harangues: never
canvassed his district to ask for the votes
of his constituents. An uncompromising
champion of democracy he was but he
was no time server and did not cringe
before public opiricn. Though all the
people should declare a measure proper,
should still have my own opinion" he
said. If he favored popular measures he
would vote for them; if he did not favor
popular measures the people should Sc
lect some one else to represent them
1t has been said that "in the nearly forty
years of his Congressional service no
other ten members gave as many negative
votes This gave rise to the saying that
if Macon were drowned, his body would
be found up stream.
AS an example of vote that does credit
to his courage il not to his judgment. I
give this: In 1895. Washington sent his
annual message to Congress, and the
House of Representatives, in accordance
with the custom OF that time, prepared
reply. In his message Washington had
announced his intention to retire
from public life and the pro-
posed reply of the House Macon consider
cd too flattering to Washington and his
administration. The House, however, ac-
cepted it by a vote of 81 to 12, Macon and
Av,I To- 80
voted against it.
Among Macon's political principles his
never failing devotion to democracy is un-
doubtedly entitled to first place. The Sec
ond, / am sure, must be given to his con-
tinual demand for public economy. r
shall not say that he did not carry his
opposition to Congressional appropria-
lions too far. For instance, speaking of
Presidential candidates (1S24) he said:
when l go home my peopl. will ask me
whom l regard as the best man, or rather
who will tax them least, which is the
same thing"
On pensions he waged continual war;
fare. AS he had refused pay for his SER
vice in the Revolution he now refused all
pension money. The people who stayed
at home, furnished supplies and sup
ported the old and disabled were, he said,
as much entitled to pensions as those
who served in the army. For an affirm
alive vote on pension bill have search
ed his Congressional record in vain. An
ardent admirer of Lafayette, he was one
Of seven Senator'S who in 1924, voted
against tho hill e-'r'ne that General land
and. money as a reward for services in
the Revolution.
But though as has been said, 'the
austerest advocate of public economy"
Macon believed that we should defend our
national rights. For il we do not said
he, 1--WE shall soon have none to defend"
One of his abest speeches was in defense
of the bill to authorize the President to
borrow money to carry on the war of
1872
But to all increase of the military force
in time of peace he was opposed. when
people are prepared for war they are sure
to fight he said II do not wish to car
ry this imitation of England too far. To
support her army and navy, her people
are kept poor. Our people pay enough