Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-04
The DEBATE AT MURFREEsBoRo.


We can inform our distant readers of the effect
of the discussion at Marfreesboro, better by CON-
parison than in any other way. Most Of them have
heard Gov. JoBNsoN, and can form an opinion of the
effect of the discussion when tell them that they
have never heard him when he was in better spi-
Tits and confidence. OF the opening speech they
can Judge for themselves, as we have presenter
them with full report of it. Col GENTRY iel lar
below any speech which we heard from Mel HEN S
RY DURING the late eanvass-so far that it would be
unjust to the latter gentleman TO make any com
psrison. Democrats who, during The last Canvass
heard of the "triumpbs" of Msl. Henry over Gov
JoHKsoN, viii! therefore know how to estimate any
claims by the know nothings of triumphis in this
contest for Col. GENTRY That gentleman has never
before entered upon regular canvass with an OPP
poreut He isan untried nag, aud destined very
greatly to disappont his hackers. If he canrassss
tae State, he viii close the canvass with infinitely
less reputation than he commenced with.
TIE opening speech Of Gov. Johnson we have
printed.
The reply Of Col. GENTRY we should like very
anch to see in prnt-if it could be printed. We
viii give few Of his points, from lection, and
from the know nothing papers here.
He said he was not running on his own merits,
but on the dement's of his opponent; that Gov.
JOHNSON had not made such speech as he expec-
ted, and he was not prepared to answer it, that he
bad nc old quarrels on hand that he forgave the
wings with whom he had differed, and hoped they
would forgive hin; that he wanted the votes OF all
parties; aud, said he, off the boys who love their
dram don't vote for ne, they have very little SYM
pathy for poor fellow who has suffered sorely on
their account" He said, according to the True
Wig that "n any thing but strictly party sense,
he a0aS a Democrat" "He suggested that Gov. JOHN
should hereafter open his speeches with prayer
and psalm" He then defended the know moth
ing doctrines in the course of which he repeated
the monstrous and oft refuted error, that "eyery
lsyman and every priest in the Catholic Church,
owes supreme allegiance TO the Pope, and no obi
CATION he can take s superior to that allegiance in
his estimation"
Col GENTRY called himself democrat He de-
Tended know-nothingsm. But he did not opce
call himself whig or say any thing in favor of the
wing party or wing policy. So far SIS he is con-
ceTned whiggery is dead letter. He does not
need to carry out his threat to destroy the wing
party. He ignores its existence. According to
his version, he is democratic know nothing He
don't commend himself to as by this position, for
we don't believe such creature possible Col.
GENTRY shows that he isn't democrat, and that
be don't know what democracy is by defending
know-nothingism We sympathized with him when
be announced his determination to reform the
wing party" Ourcandid opinion was that it needed
reformation. But we do not approve of his taking
kuow-nothingism as a cudgel to kill it with He
gives US know-nothingisIn in place of whiggecy,
but the remedy is a good deal worse than the dis
ease.
Gov. JoHNsoNs rejonder was the happiest effort
we ever heard from him. and it told with overwh I'M
ing effect He excited the democrats to the widest
enthusiasm and it didn't need the shower which
fell before he had concluded to dampen know moth
ingism He said be could always tell when he had
victim in bis grasp, and in his present competitor
lie had one sure. The crowd evidently agreed with
him He Illustrated the sincerity of his competi-
tors crusade against foreigners 10y reading the bill
at BRowY's Hotel, in Washington, of KossUTH and
bis suite, paid by tie United States, and for the
payment OF which Col. GENTRY voted, while in
Congress The bill is as follows
To board for Governor KossUrH and suite, having
ten parlors and twenty-one chambers, thirteen
and a half days % persons, sass 90
sUNDRIFs.
Champagne, Sherry, Cigars, Lemon
sde, bar BILL washing, medicines,
Post-ofiee stamps, potersge and
messengers, hacl-hre paid at Off
feTent times, ielegraphs, sugar,
brandy and whisky IA room, porter
and ale, envelopes, BARRIERS bill,
amounting 10 all2 G59 81
Bill for carriages engaged for Govern
GRAND suite, 3l9 80
81, 566 90 |
That is a bill for twenty three persons thirteen
and half days amounting, believe, to some
Sl4 per day for each person
Col GENTRY, in his rejoinder, maintained that