402 MACON COUNTY. 



prompted only to virtuous deeds. He sought with great 

 earnestness and untiring industry the path of duty, and fear- 

 lessly pursued it — obliging no one from favour or affection, 

 and yielding nothing to the suggestion of resentment or en- 

 mity. Indeed, there was no passion he would gratify at the 

 expense of duty. In 1835, his fellow-citizens again called him 

 from his cherished retirement, by electing him a member of 

 the Convention, charged with the important duty of revising 

 and reforming the Constitution of his native State, of which 

 body he was chosen President by unanimous suffrage. In 

 •1836, he was chosen an elector of President and Vice-Presi- 

 dent — on the Republican ticket — and at the proper time re- 

 paired to the seat of government, and performed the duty re- 

 quired of him. This was the closing act of Mr. Macon's pub- 

 lic life. 



Of his political creed it is scarcely necessary to speak. 

 His unconquered consistency — the frank and manly avowal 

 of his opinions on all proper occasions — the prominent and 

 distinguished part it was his lot to act in support of every re- 

 publican administration, sufficiently proclaim it. Suffice it to 

 say, he was a republican of the old school, and possessed, with- 

 out qualification or abatement, the affection and confidence of 

 a Jefferson, a Madison, a Monroe, and a Jackson ; and of the 

 whole host of distinguished statesmen with whom he was a 

 co-labourer in the cause of democracy and free government. 

 His political principles were deep-rooted; he became attached 

 to them from early examination, and was confirmed in their 

 correctness from mature reason and long experience. They 

 were the principles of genuine republicanism ; and to them 

 through life he gave a hearty, consistent, and available sup- 

 port. With them he never compromised ; and the greater the 

 pressure, the more pertinaciously he stood by them. Adopt- 

 ing, to the fullest extent, the doctrine which allowed to man 

 the capacity and the right to self-government, he was a strict 

 constructionist of the Constitution of the United States ; and 

 never would consent, however strongly the law of circum- 

 stances — the common plea of tyrants — might demand it, to 

 exercise doubtful powers. Jealous of federal authority, his 

 most vigilant efforts were directed towards restraining it with- 



