The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-19

The James Sprunt Historical Mono
| graph, a series OF historical publications
issued from the University Press, and
established by Mr.. James Sprunt, OF
Wilmington, form one of the most valu-
able contributions we have for elucida-
ting the history of the state. Three
numbers lave been issued, the first
being The Personnel of the onven
ton of 1851" a most interesting contri-
button to our civil war history. 1t has
been reviewed at length by the state
press.
The second number is entitled, THE
Congressional Career OF Nathaniel Ma
con-" 1t was written by Mr.. Edwin
| Mood Wilson, at the time a student at
the University of North Carolina. now
instructor in history in the Haverford
| College German school. The thesis Won
| for Mr.. Wilson the Hill History prize,
] offered for the best historical essay
| written by a member Of the graduating
| class. Besides the account of MacOn'S
| career in Congress, the Monograph con-
| tainS twenty-three characteristic letters
| by Macon and one by Willie P. Mangum
| to the Hon.. Bartlett Yancay, speaker Of
| the state senate, the originals of which
| are owned by the University. These
| letters are annotated by DR.. Battle, Civ
| ing in interesting f~ootnotes full expla-
| nations in regard to facts and persons
| mentioned in the letters.
| No other one of the distinguished
| statemen of our state has had a more
| interesting career than Macon. Enter
| ing the second congress in October Of
| 1871, he continued his services without
| intermission for thirty-seven years, dur
| ing which time he was leader of his
| party in the house, speaker of the
| house and president pro tenn Of the SEN
| ate. He entered congress fifteen years
| after the Declaration of Independence
was adopted, ten years after the adop-
ton by the states of the articles of
confederation, and two year after the
ratification of the constitution. During
his career the great questions agitatlng
the public mind were those in which the
interpretations and powers Of the con-
stitution were involved, from which dis
cussions emerged in place Of a conglom-
Grafton of states, the American nation.
Naturally from the high official position
held by Macon, he had no little part in
the general result brought about from
these discussions.
Macon in common with most southern
politicians was an Anti-Federalist, in
other words a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
He resolutely opposed all attempts to
read into the constitution, powers for
the general government not expressly
granted. Some of the important ques-
tons involving interpretations Of the
constitution coming up during his pc
riod of service which are intelligently
and interestingly discussed by NJ. Will
son, were the bill establishing a navy
department, the Alien and Sedition
laws, the establishment of the United
States Bank, Internal Improvements,
the Tariff and others of scarcely less
interest. 1t is interesting to Ollo Mr..
Wilson's account of Macon's position
and arguments on these great questions
all Of which he was resolutely Oppos-
ed to on constitutional grounds, and
then to turn to Macon's letters &c
Yancey and read there his own express
sion of his opinion regarding them.
1t would not be desirable to enter
fully into a discussion Of these opinions
here. One or two quotations from these
letters, showing the extent to which
Macon went in his opposition to the
policy OF implied powers will be in,
Heresting taste is given in the hopes
Of rousing the readers appetite fol-
o In his account Of he fight over
h United States Bank, Mr.. Wilson
thus sums UP Macon's attitude: "The
determination of such issues involved
questions of expediency and judgment,
and his judgment was not always trust
worthy save in matter Of absolute right
or wrong. His only objection
was that congress had no constitution
al owe to establish such an institu-
ton" The thing which Macon feared
was the extent to which this doctrine
Of implied powers" might lead. In a
letter to Yancey, April 18th 1918 he
wrote, II congress can make canals
they can with more propriety emanci-