Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-05
Letter from Rev. J. l.. Chapman in
RepIY 20 James vi. DaYid

primp his articles, paint their faces, and arrange
their hounces, as Mr.. Davidson spent on his COM
muncatiOn, the world of literature would not have
been much increased BY the children of his brain.
HIS words are as sweet as honey, bat the poison of
asps is under his tongue. It would seem as if the
poet who thus wrote, anticipated BY SATIRE the case
in hand:
"In the desert fountain Is springing,
In the wide waste there still is a tree"
He seems to smart little under few slight
wounds received in the skirmsh still there is for
him this painful consolation:
"Know how sublime a thingitis
TO suffer and be st ong."
have, however, sprinkling Of kindness on me,
such as Holmes knew not when he drowned the
6shermsn's daughter, and proianely said:
'Her hair droop round her paITd cheeks
Like weeds round a clam"
shall try, seeing that my friend is somewhat
sensitive TO walk over his feelings like moonbeam
gliding along the face of placid lake. But in the
very outset Of my structures his communication
must be allowed to say, that its personality is
highly offensive, its insnuations very outrageous
ton, its illusions wholly unwarrautable, its patriot
ism monstrously contemplate, and its general
character an empty Aourish-a mere clap-trap of
honeyed words, having the thorn of the rose.
| came not to America to be an Irishman but an
American in all things. l came not to America to
take pleasure in seeing foreign battaOns organized
and designated as German Yagers, French Chas-
seurs, Irish Greens, and Swiss Guards but to enjoy
the blessings of great and free people, and to
glory in their banner-the glorious and stripes
-victoriously borne their fathers heads both
by land and sea, amid many bloody scene, and to
feel with them that it is associated with memories
that are consecrated in the affections Of the good
and the great-memories that cannot die until the
heart OF the nation becomes as cold as the snow
that drank the brave Montgomerys blood should
call myself Judas, and own the ways of Catalina, if
different sentiments pervaded my soul If l shall
have to sleep on threadbare carpet with my boots
for pillow, and to wear a garment unfit for la
boring servant, and to live on bread and water the
remainder Of my days, penalty for my Ameri-
canism shall call to mind the sufferings and heroic
fortitude of Socrates, the noble advocate of what
he believed true and calmly submit to my fate,
committing my memory and words to posterity for
justice, honored with the declaration, cannot for
frOwns or favors, give up the ship: and in lfe's
last lingering moments add, Americans ought to
rule in their own country. If such feelings and
sentiments make a traitor to my native land, let
the angel that will proclaim the funeral of time
point the accompanying hosts of heaven to my
grave, saying, "there that traitor sleeps"
And now, for the tug Of war between myself and
Mr.. Davidson, not at long-gun distance, but after
the fashion old Nelson fought the French broadside
action. Respected reader, have you a basket to
hold the feathers? know that you will not, by the
time the last gun Of fact tells consider the body
worthy of Egyptian preservation. The anti Amer
leans, however, may say, as Byron said of his dog
zone friend we id, and here he lies"
Hear how the man talks: $50 far as the Rev
James L. Chapman is concerned, abandon all an.
ticipations OF a discussion of American principles
before Protestant America as he terms if" You
abandon, Mr.. Davidson, all antcipations of a dis
cussion. Respecting this, l am forced, Judging
from your SOphmore production, TO think you act
than that of courage But shall not permit you
to retreat; you must fight run, or cowardIy hile
What think you Of the following questions: First
assert that your party is partly composed OF the
worst sort Of Abotioni-ts in the East, West North
and South. Second, THAT there is an imperative
necessity for reforming the naturalization laws of
the United States" to use the language of the i'm
mortal Webster, making 81 years residence ndis.
pensabls to voters. Third, That the allegiance Of
Romanists to the See of Rome is incompatible with
the obligations of true citizens to the American
Government
Now, sir, you must fight, run, or cowardly hide.
Can provoke you, any man Of your party, to
meet me on these questions before the people OF
TENNESSEE II there be a OF might in the
anti American ranks, from the mountains Of New
England to the golden gates Of California, let him
respond. hope you will find this sufficiently COM
prehensive and particular and see no cause here.
after to complain of an ill defined" position.
You say, sir, as il employed by the Pope to de-
eide: ~ am satisfied his most congenial employ.
consists in pAndering to the religious prejudi.
ces OF the intoerant" While boldly denying the
charge shall not forget TO return the compliment,
namely, that Mr.. DavIdsons most congenial EN-
ployment is forciby expressed by HIMSELF al have
personal reasons" for advocating the claims of anti.
Americauism. True. o King. The translation is:
II |, Mr.. Davidson, can promote my own interest,
shall allow Professionalism aud Patriotism to look
out for themselves aud If ioreignsm should events
ually prove a Grecian horse to the country, what
care for that' Now, sir have not clearly and
fully returned the eomplimestf
/ shall now cite a specimen Of his ntAmerican
propensity for Justification "a would advise him
TO beware Of the admiIture Of politics and religion
Ito remodel the Great Battle if il is so planned
to serve up the religion in one dsh and she
American politics in the other aud we're KnOw
which permits q foreigner to publish between
Church aud State the bans Of future matrimonial
alliance" When Mr. Chapman needs advice OF
desires an enlightened opinion on any question o.
magnitude, he will not dream Of the bombastiC
reilerator Of the wonderful deeds and iascinAtirI
ways Of the goddess OF liberty. Were a sehoo
teacher, aud boy under my control we're to uttei
such empty, stupid nonsense. should give him 4
gentee spanking. The author Of the 'Cis-A1lAn,iC
BAlIls between San aud the Pope" publishes wha
be pleases and writes aud talks be pleases; and
the day will never come when he shall ask any
party 20 mark out for him . line OF action. "Wer,
l a KnOw Nothing" says NJ. Davidson. 81 would
oppose that party management which permits 4
foreigner 10 publish between Chureh and State the
bans Of future matrimonial alliance" You ART
Justly entitled 70 20 TO work. SIR for hesitate nO
20 declare that the eognomen meets In your case I