Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-04

As Protestant cannot allow myself to be placed
in such position but leave it for those to whom it
appropriately belongs. In a word, let Dir. Chap
man state what he considers the distinctive charac'
seristics of "Americanism" in the form OF plain
propositions, and let him give them questionable
shape" wish to see bis declaration before can
plead to it-both are necessary to proper issue.
There are some references to myself in Mr.
Chapman's communication, which demand notice
He says that am "a pupil Of the far-famed Cbal-
mers" il he is not mistaken. | have been pupil
of Chalmers, however unworthy OF that great
teacher. l caught none of his inspiration and res
member but small part of what he taught. He
appears to me, however through the vale OF years,
as the Founder of the Free Church OF Scotland, and
the advocate Of Catholic manclpation-more gio-
rifed and enno5led by his advocacy of each, than
by bis sublime disquisitons on the mechanism OF
the starry heavens He was the author of the max
inns that "Cdflolic disabilities dead Oeigh on
the holy cause Of Protestantism;" that Statutory
enGcte,,ts for the protection Of TRUTH become orni-
aJie anriaries for talsehOod" and that "7he Spirit
and tcord Of God are the only HeaUer' sanctioned
Instruments for tie propagation Of the Christian
faith" | must cease to remember Chalmers ere
can fear the Pope; must forget the Banner of the
Covenant ere dread the Banner of the Cross.
must lose faith in the religion of my fathers-";he
holy cause of Professionalism deem it neces
sary to defend it by egislating against Popery-
Mr.. Chapman says be has Learned that l have
espoused the anti. American cause" If by this is
meant that am in favor of any interests antago''
nstic to the prosperity an perpeuy of the United
States, then Mr. Chapman's information is untrue
yield to no man, foreign born or native, in my
good wishes for this country, It's institutions and its
people Again, the term anti-American is some-
times applied to designate the Democratic Party. l
am not Democrat in the strict party sense of that
word profess to be Whig-an Old Line Wing
Clay Wing l am one of those Wings that did
not follow thr file leaders to offer sacrifice at secret
affairs. l am one OF the "ten thousand who have
not yet bowed the knee to Baal." acted with the
Democrats in the last canvass, and l expect to do
so in the approaching one. As Southern man,
can see no other organised party that can oppose
Northern aggression; as a lover of liberty know
Of no other party that is likely to preserve and to
extend glorious free institutions. In addition
to the foregoing, have personal reason for sup
porting the Democrats. They stood by the rights
of foreign born men, when former friends deserted
US. "May my right hand forget its cunnng-may
my tongue ceave unto the roof Of nv mouth" ere
l forget the arms that sheltered the foreigners in
the days of their persecution
But, if by the "anti American cause" is meant
simply opposition to Know. NOthingism, then is Mr.
Chapmans information true-I am, head and heart
anti. American. have opposed all manifestations
of it in the past; oppose all shades and varieties
of it now extant; and shall continue to oppose it
in all new phases that it may assume by way of
adapting itself to the exigencies of the times In
every shape, FORM fashion and color that have yet
seen it, consider it repugnant to the character of
True Amercansm-the Amercanism Of the feun-
ders of this Governmental haze seen Il once when
had assumed 'Fe livery of Heaven," and even then
IL not attractive Yours, respectfully,
J. NJ. DAVIDSON
FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn, March 81, 1856.