Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-01

: BE wishes that he "bad bright-eyed boy who
could call him iather," that be might take him to
the city Of Louisville, to tell him about the riots
and how ''lreemen fell on their own soil before the
murderous guns of foreign rabble." He paints
his own death scene, and directs bic boy to pro'
cure fag to wrap him in it, and to write for his
epitaph: "This is the grave Of foreigner by BIRTH
who preached the American faith, and died as be
lived" 1 would prefer to leave the Louisville riots
ton to dwell upon a theme from which men Of all
parties turn with heaviness of heart and about the
of which, however, they may differ as to the
persons who struck the first blow, there can be
very little difference Of opinion Future historians
will lament the incidents of that occasion as foul
blots upon the fair fame of a gallant commonwealth
and generous people; and they will wish that
dropping tear upon it, they could wipe it out
forever" But their united testimony will be that,
it grew out of an unworthy attempt on the part of
those who had invited foreigners to come to this
country, and to enjoy the privileges of American
citizenship, to rob them OF the rights that they had
acquired.
/ thank Mr. Chapman, however, for his reference
to Louisville and its graveyard. Though by the
conduct Of portion its citizens conduct strange
ly at war with the hospitality Of Kentuckians, and
the declarations of "The Great Statesman" in
gard TO them-by me and by thousands it will be
remembered as 1.-THE City of Riots" Still it is of
interest as containing the remains Of one, who was
once the dearest to amongst the living; who
now sleeps the sleep that knows no waking" and
by whose grave some Irish mother like herself, may
have taken refuge from the devouring fire, or the
Infatuated foe. To the grave yard of Louisville
hope one day to go, accompanied by two ''bright
immortal hero, who persisted on the scaffod for the
freedom of my native land. As we rambe amongst
the tombs, where the natives of many land sleep
in the peaceful brotherhood of death, and war not
about birthplace religion, should discover the
simple memorials of those who persisted in the
Riots of '55. l shall say nothing of ''rabble"-
nothing of ut.laws"-not one word of "despera-
does" l would rather say-"my children, here
lie those who fell in contest about the ballot box
by whose hands know not, by what weapons
know not, but by this ! am assured of, their death
was the anticipated result of a political Strife
FILTERED by prejudices of birthplace and religion.
Take warning my children. All history is full of
admouitious. The American people for a long time
needed them, but in evil hour party calling
itself american" forgot the lessons Of other times
forgot that place of nativity is an accident, that
faith is not for the scrutiny OF the State, but be-
longs to the conscience and to God. Hence these
graves, filed with those who, otherwise, might be
in the enjoyment Of the pleasures of life. Take
warning. By those who suffered for freedom in
other lands, 10y the memory OF those who won it in
this, charge you to remember that the affairs Of
religion and the administration of government
ought to be kept separate and distinct NeUer, o.
neyer ihbrus your hands in the blood of telloW
being because he ,OOrsLipS the UnirersdI Father al
different altar from yourselves, or because, born
foreig, soil, he may hare sought on this one the
blessings of freedom and home
In passing through that grave yard should dis.
cover a tomb with the epitaph above quoted, may
pause by it moment to remark-"H Here lies one
who was what has been termed AN anomaly in
nature-an Irishmau without a heart-one who
lDhl nave Dub vas uesIllute VI
or who left undeveloped and untutored the nobler
affections of the SOUL Yet for the sake OF his
native and-Peace to his ashes"
There l leave Mr.. Chapman, and express my
thanks to the Editors of the Patriot for the space
which, on two occasions, have occupied-a space
much longer in the present instance than l should
have devoted TO the sentiments Of that gentleman,
we're not similar Ones on some points, held and
enforced by yourselves and others whose opinions
are entitled to my respect. Having to acknowledge
your courtesy, even where you disapprove and
condemn, l am, yours, respectfully,
JAMES NJ. DAVIDSON
P.S. Would the Editors oblige me with the name
of the "Clay Wing, outside of the American organ.
izaton" with whom am said to have declined a
discussion? J.M.D.
In responseto the interrogatory propounded
to us in the above up. s." we state that we
understood last summer, that Mr.. DAVIDSON
! had declined to divide time, at his appoint
ments, with Ed. COOPER, Esq, of Bedford