The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-04-26
AN ELOQUENT LETTER BY A SCOTT
ELECTOR IN 1852


James M. Davidson Esq, an freshman, and a
gentleman of brilliant talents. Another Irish.
man, the Rev. j. l.. Chapman, also wing,
and supporter of Gen Scott in 1852, has re.
Gently challenged Mr.. Davidson to discus
sion of the know.nothng issues. The reply
of Mr.. Davidson is worthy of perusa by eve
ry old-linc wing in the country. The reader
will see at once how justly the writer enjoys
the reputation of one of the first orators OF
the land The following is the reply:
To The Editors af Mc Nashville Patriot:
GENTLEMEN have read in your paper of
the 22d inst, a communication over the sig.
nature Of "James l.. Chapman " in which
the writer challenges mankind in general, and
myself in particular to "a friendly discussion
based on the American platform, or any arti-
Gle of ii !" and have since read editorial
specnlations abont the issue of the proposed
discussion, and remarks about the parties cx-
pccted to engage in it. BE kind enough to
allow me space in your columns far q reply to
the communication of Mr.. Chapman
Having taken no part in political affairs for
months, and being merely an interested obScrv-
or OF the movements of the times, ! confess
was not little surprised to find myself the
object of so pointed an attack and the sub
ject of newspaper comment. II is true I had
remarked it as one Of the pccnliartics of the
age, that in some quarters the pulpit had taken
the lead of politicians and the press but |
did not calculate on seeing in Tennessee an
Irish Protestant preacher entering the lists as
the first knight Of the great political tourna-
ment of 1856 cannot say that | regret it,
for, being an admrcr of Christianity, | re-
joice that the affairs of the Rcdccmer's King
dom are SO much advanced that they can af.
ford to be held for while in allegiance, to nj
low one of his ambassadors time for a conflict
about the governmental affairs of this world
The conflict having been determined upon.
/ am still at loss to conjecture why the Rev.
James l.. Chapman took it into his head to
throw his glove at my feet" and to invite
me to the dust of the political arena. Ny ac-
quaintancc with him is very limited extending
only to an introduction and conversation for
some hours at the city of Memphis in the fall
of 1852. Our relations were friendly then.
We were on the same platform, if remember
well and / have no recollection of saying or
doing anything to interrupt the current of our
reciprocal national affections, except, perhaps.
fore the good people Of Memphis from the
charge Of being an Orangeman, | spoke too
harsly of that society for the taste of Mr.
Chapman and was somewhat too liberal in m,
notions of the Catholics. But surely Mr.
Chapman has long since forgiven and forgot
ten sentiments that were not intended to have
an offensive personal application. have not
heard of the Rev. James l.. Chapman since
~ in Al ,J,I,, ,p
cliyity for controversy and, but for your very
opportunc introduction Of him, he would have
been to me an " unknown knight"
/ confess | am somewhat reluctant to ne.
ccpt the challenge of Mr. Chapman not be-
cause ! am under any serious apprchcnSions
about defeat or demolition, but because have
my doubts about any good that discussion
will effect, and for the reason that | am very
sure both sides would claim the victory. Be-
sides, am apprelensve that, by portion of
our auditors, Mr. Chapman and myself wonId
be regarded rather in the light of foreign ella.
diatoral conlbatants, and they woald feel very
little concern if we destroyed each other |
dislike very much to afford to the public the
spectacle of two Protestant Irshmen, who
know the bgotry and intolerance of the Old
World, debating about religious freedom in
the New.
But the contest is not of my seeking, and |
shall not decline it when the proper time
comes. If Mr.. Chapman will "wait a little
longer" he, or any other representative of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT that longs for IL public en-
entertainment at my expense, can have it.
My engagements are such that can have no.
thing to do with politics before summer at
which time have promised to take a part in
the presidential canvass When that time
arrives any man who represents know -noth-
ingism, whether he be native or foreign born.
be he national American or black republican,
n member of secret council or an alder and
abettor of the cause, can have fair division
of whatever time have to dispose of ] shall
be perfectly 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-onc years. resi-
dence to qualify an Irishman for citizenship in
the United States. They must allow me,
however, on my side, to show, if | can, 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 free institutions