MACON COUNTY. 403 



in due limits. A democrat by natm'e as well as education, he 

 was persuaded, that on the popular part of every government 

 depend its real force, its welfare, its security, its permanence, 

 its adaptation to the happiness of the people. 



Though so long honoured and so many years the depositary 

 of public confidence and public trusts, he had the rare merit 

 of never having solicited any one to vote for him, or even in- 

 timated a wish that he should ; and, though no one ever shared 

 more fully the confidence and esteem of a large circle of warm 

 and influential friends, his is the praise of never having soli- 

 cited the slightest interest for his own preferment. 



But it was in private life the rare excellences of this gi-eat 

 and good man shone brightest. " To be and not to seem," 

 was his maxim. Disdaining the pride of power — despising 

 hypocrisy, as the lowest and the meanest vice — with an honest 

 simplicity and Roman frankness of manners, he gave to inter- 

 course an ease and freedom which made his society and con- 

 versation sought after by all who knew him. Industry, eco- 

 nomy, and temperance distinguished the character of Mr. 

 Macon, during every portion of his long life, and he was 

 always truly exemplary in the discharge of every social and 

 domestic duty. His love of justice and truth, and his integrity 

 of heart commanded universal confidence, esteem, and respect. 

 In his dress, his manners, his habits, and mode of life, he in- 

 dulged no fondness for superfluities ; but he never denied him- 

 self the use of what was necessary and convenient. 



The vainness of ostentation and the littleness of pride were 

 alike disgusting to him. His neighbours, even the humblest, 

 visited him without ceremony, and in all their difficulties ap- 

 plied to him for advice and comfort, which he never failed to 

 afibrd in a manner the most acceptable. The society of his 

 neighbourhood, embracing an unusually large circle, seemed 

 as it were to constitute but one family, of which he was the 

 head and the guide ; and the rich stores of his mind were com- 

 mon property. Such was the moral influence which he ex- 

 erted around him, that his example and his precept were allowed 

 the force of law. His heart was the seat of the benevolent 

 affections ; and that he enjoyed, while living, the happiness 

 that attends their constant exercise, was sufliciently attested 



