Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-14
FOR THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
Political Discussion in Prince Georges
County, Md.
NOTTINGHAM, April II, Is

NOTTINGHAM, April IL, 1855.
On Monday last our Court being in session. a
political discussion took place In this village, be-
tween Charles E. Stuart, of Alexandra, Virginia,
and General Thomas +. Bowie, of this place. The
first named gentleman Is an avowed member of the
American party, and the latter leader Of the old
Wing party Of Prince Georges county. The court
house was filed with the people Of the county, and
seldom has it been the fortune of our citizens to
hear more interesting discussion.
Mr.. Stuart commenced by saying that he had
been challenged by some of the anti American
party to discuss the basis Of principles" and that
he had accepted the challenge, under the convic-
ton that these principles would commend them
selves without argument TO the minds Of every
native-born citizen of the county.
He proceeded then to examine the principles Of
the party, In detail and showed most conclusvely
that each and every one Of them were consistent
with the Constitution of the United States, and
essential TO tho perpetuity Of the Union, and the
welfare Of the country He boldly argued the
Catholic question, and referred to Catholic author
tiles TO prove that their Church asserted the tenn
poral power Of the Pope, and his right to inter-
yene between sovereigns and their subjects-and
between citizens and their governments. And al
though in a Catholic neighborhood, his remarks
upon this subject elected great applause. The
position which he took was that, he knew that
many Catholics In this country conscientiously
denied this power as resulting from the divine Of
fee Of the Pope; yet, that outsiders who are igno-
rant Of the real views of that Church, and who
found some Of their leading reviews and doctrinal
works asserting this right, were justified in main.
tanning this to be the doctrine Of the Church until
dithoritatively denied He then alluded TO the
principle of the exclusion Of foreigners from Of
fee and the change ofthe naturalization laws and
upon this subject he was even more successful.
He exhausted the whole subject, and 10 conclu-
sively demonstrated the importance Of immediate
action upon this matter, as to convince every rea-
sonable man in the meeting. He continued at some
length and with great ability to defend the prnci
Piles Of the American party, and did so most tri-
umphantly.
After he bad concluded, Gen. 7. r. Bowie took
the stand. He did not even attempt 10 reply 70
the positions Of Mr.. Stuart, but proceeded TO de-
clare that he was, and ever had been, firm, con-
sstent Wing, and then to denounco the American
party, as the emanstion Of the devil a. dark Ian.
tern party rs afraid 10 show themselves In the face
Of day, &c. His speech was an eloquent series Of
denunciatons, and an abortive attempt TO show
that It's principles we're in conflict with the Const
tuition Of the United States.
His friends even admitted that he had not met
the arguments Of his opponent He declared him.
self In favor Of union Of tho wings and Demo
Gratis 70 resist this new party and his remarks were
received ON this head, from certain gentlemen Of
tne ueiunct wing party, with great hvor.
After he concluded, Mr.. Stuart briefly replied
and most effeetually demolished the positions Of tbs
General, called upon the meeting 70 say whether hi.
Arguments and authorities bad even been sssailed,
much less successfully met by General Bowie, and
more than intmated that in the coming canvass, the
General, who has been several times an aspirani
for Congress, would be overwhelmed by the great
American movement This Ia a fair statement
Of = contest which VIII be long remembered bJ
those who heard II, and which gave great sstisfac
ton TO the members Of our party present
The Planters Advocate, whose editor has given
an account Of this meeting, represents IL az great
triumph Of his party. He may lay that Hatterine
JUNCTION 10 his soul but he win find that the people
differ from him.
Afterth discussion, pooi dyed Wig proposed
three cheers for Mr.. Wise, which was responded
10 by some Of the supporters Of Gen. Bowie; and
this, they would have the public believe, was the
result Of the contest They mar say what they
please; but, thank God, the people Of this county
now see that, 80 far from being Wing trick, the
American party are opposed by the leaders Of the
old Wing olgsrchy In our county; and they may
misrepresent our speakers and members AZ they
please, but they win hnd at the next election what
is the true result We are wide swskel
SAN.