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

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1856.
Letter from James NJ. Davidson, Esq.

pears to have aroused his spirit, but not
quite up to the sticking point, Just nOac.
Next summer, he proclaims, he intends to
set forth in quest of adventure, and promi-
seS to give any one who may have the te-
merity, an opportunity to test his skill in
assault or defence; but next summer is some
time distant, and when it comes, he may
conclude to follow up the plan of campaign
he has the credit of adopting last year, and
decline an encounter, even though an old
line Clay Wing, like himself, outside Of the
American organization, should appear in
the lists ready to crush his casque or bel i'm
paled on his lance.
We have great respectfor Mr.. DAVIDSON;
we admire his genius and elOquence, and
give him credit for honesty and sincerity;
but we must beg of him not to prostitute
the name of HENRY CLAY to the building up
and strengthening of the Democratic party,
whose leaders, in Tennessee particularly,
pursued him to the day Of his death with the
vindictiveness of blood-hounds, and gloated
with fendish delight in the basest attempts
to suly and destroy his fair fame, and to
hand his name down to posterity as befoul-
ed by corruption, and blackened by crime.
Work for, serve the Democratic party to
the fullest extent of your eminent ability
arouse its legions to vigorous action by your
trumpet-toned eloquence-but do not drag
in the name and glorious history Of HENRY
CLAY to give emphasis and strength to
your efforts That were unworthy of
true, high-souled, chivaIrouS old line Wing!
To the Editors of the Nashville Patriot
GENrLEMEN-I have read in your paper of the
22d inst, a communication over the signature Of
James L. Chapman" in which the writer cbalen-
ges mankind in general, and myself in particular to
"a friendly discussion based on the American Plat
form any cle Of it," and have since read edi
tOral speculations about the issue of the proposed
discussion and remarks about the parties expected
to engage in it. Be kind enough to allow me space
in your columns for reply to the communication
Of Mr.. Chapman.
Having taken no part in political affairs for
months, and being merely interested observer of
the movements of the times, l confess | was not
little surprised to find myself the object of point
ed an attack, and the subject of newspaper com.
ment. 1t is true, had remarked it as one of the
peculiarities of the age, that in some quarters the
pulpit had taken the lead of politicians and the
press but did not calculate seeing in Tennes.
see an Irish Protestant preacher entering the lists
as the first knight Of the great political tournament
of 1856. | cannot say that regret it, for, being
an admrer OF Christianity, rejoice that the affairs
of the Redeemer's Kingdom are SO much ad
vanced that they can afford to be held for a while
in abeyance, to allow one of his ambassadors time
for conflict about the governmental affairs of this
world
The conflict having been determined upon, am
still at a loss to conjecture why the Rev James L.
Chapman took it into his head to "throw his glove
at my feet, and to invite to the dust of the pc
litical My acquaintance with him is very lin
tied, extending only to an introduction and CONVEX
sation for some hours at the city of Memphis in the
fall of 1852. Our relations friendly then. We
were on the same platform, ifI remember well; and
have no recollection of aging doing anything
to interrupt the current o. our reciprocal national
affectiOns-except, perhaps, it might be this, that
in defending myself before the good people of
Memphis, from the charge of being an Orangeman,
spoke harshly of that society for the taste OF
Mr. Chapman, and somewhat too liberal in my
notions about Catholics. But, surely, Mr.. Chap
man has long since forgiven and forgotten sentiI
meuts that were not intended to have an offensive
personal application. l have not heard of the Rev.
James l.. Chapman since, except 10 the occasional
indulgence of procvity for controversy; and,
but for your very Opportune introduction of him,
he would have been to me, an unknown Knight"
confess | am somewhat reluctant to accept the
! challenge of Mr.. Chapman, not because am I'M
der any serious apprehensons about defeat orde-
molition, but because have my doubts about any
good that a discussion will effect and for the reason
that am very sure both sides would claim a vic
tory. Besides, am apprehensive that, by portion
of our auditors, Mr.. Chapman and myself would be
regarded rather in the light of foreign gladatorial
combatants and they would feel very little concern
ed il we destroyed each other. dislike very much
to afford to the public the spectacle of two Protest
Irishmen, who know the bigotry aud intolerance
Of the ola world, debating about religious freedom
in the new.
But the contest is not of my seeking, and | shall
not decline il, when the proper time arrives If Mr.
Chapman will "wait little longer" he, or any other
representative Of Know Nothingism, that longs for
public entertainment at my expense, can have it.
My engagements are such that can have nothing
20 do with politics before summer, at which time
have promised to take part in the Presidential
canvass. When that time arrives, any man who
presents Know Nothingism, whether be be native or
loreign-bon be he National American, or Black Re-
publican a member Of secret council or an alder
aud sbettor of the cause can have fair dvkion Of
whatever time l have to dispose OF. shall be per
fectly willing for any one of them day after day,
for three months, to demonstrate to the people of
Tennessee by me as an example, that it takes at
least twenty one years residence to qualify an
lrishman for citizenship in the United States They
must allow me, however, on my side, TO show, if
eau, by them and their principles, that there are
some men whom no soil or climate, no length of
years or training, could make acquainted with the
genius and spirit of our tree Institutions.
If Mr.. Chapman and myself are TO have a dis
cusson, let him define the basis on which he wishes
20 found il He saws ''on the American Platform