The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-31

THE CONGRESSIONAL CAREER OF
NATHANIEL MACON, by Edwin Mood
Wilson A. b.. A. NJ. with letters OF Mr..
Macon and Willie p Mangum, by Kemp
p. Battle, LII. D.-No. 2 of James Sprunt
Historical Monographs of University of
North Carolina Publications.
The past two or more years has marked
a revival of interest in The career of
Nathaniel Macon. More has been written
and printed about 1.-THE noblest Roman of
them ALL Ito quote Jefferson's appella
tion of Macon) within the past two years
than in the preceding decade. The reason
for the revival of interest in Macon may
be traced to the growing faith in real De-
mocracy, the turning away of the younger
men from the Federalistic ideas that
long held too great sway among North
Carolina leaders. Macon was the leader
of the civic patriots who put an end to
the dominating Federalistc sentiment of
North Carolina. 1t was not until he had
retired from politics that any party ex-
cept the party of jefferson could have
much power in North Carolina. With the
passing away of Macon. no colossal figure
remained to stand against the growth of
political views contrary to the doctrines
the anti-Jefferson party held in its ranks
most Of the men of learning in the State
and young men taught a. thr University
and elsewhere imbibed the Hamltonian
ideas of government, and Jefferson's
ideas while doubtless held by majority
of the people, were not in favor with the
ruling classes. Nationally Macon was not
held up by them as the States greatest
in
with those of Jefferson and against their
school of thought Before the war the
pendulum swung towards the Jeffersonian
party in North Carolina. but the slavery
question was so prominent that it exclu-
ded the natural return to study of
the teachings of Jefferson and Macon.
The war, reconstruction, and rehabilitation
left little time for the comparative study
of man. 1t is only in recent years that
the University and colleges have under
taken the comparative study of the men
who have been the States great leaders
in the several periods. Recently also
the political world has been given more to
the study of mud-sill political principles
and the dominant party of North Carolina,
freed from the narrowing political nnu-
ences that have stified public discussions,
has been renewing its covenant with the
great founders of the party and studying
the fundamental principles which gave
their party full control of government for
more than a quarter of century, recelv-
ing the stimulus of success from the glory
of Jefferson's administration and the
PRONUNCIATION of his anti Federalistic
convictions Mr.. Wilson'S book comes at
an opportune time He has done his work
nf
of which little is comparatively known.
Mr. Wilson was educated at Guilford Col
lege, the University Of North Carolina and
Haverford COLLEGE, in which institution
he is now instructor in History.
Mr. Macon measured up to Jefferson s
appellation: THE foremost Roman OF
them ALL He was thirty seven years
in public life, holding the highest posi-
tion in the country, except that OF the
Presidency and he was a leader among
leaders. AS Speaker of the House or
Representatives and President Pro TEN.
Of the Senate, his position in Washing
ton was second only to that of the Presl-
dent upon whom he was on terms or
intimacy and upon whose advice and coun-
sci the President relied No North
Carolinian in its history has been so hon
ored as Mr.. Macon and no North Caro-
linian has for so many years enjoyed SO
large q measure of the confidence OF the
people He may be said to have Deen
the States first son, and another Legisla-
ture ought not to adjourn without ap-
propriating a sum large enough to place
his statue N the rotunda in the capitol
at Washington.
Mr. Wilson's monograph is deeply inter-
esting He has done his work we'll and
it will be invaluable to the man who VIII
some day write complete history OF MI.
Macon'S life.
Mr. Macon was genuine Republican, as
the Jeffersonians were called then, or
Democrat His first important speech in
Congress was in favor of the bill to re-
peal President Adamss Midnight
Judges" act will be remembered that
just before going out of power IN 1890