The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-29
ANOTHER POWERFUL RECRUIT TO
DEMOCRACY

by the Key. j. l.. Chapman, aHOller lTlSh-
man, and also another supporter of Gen.
Scott in 1852 Mr.. Davidson's reply, ac-
cepting the challenge at the proper time,
should be read and studied by every old
line Wing in the land. We regret that we
have but space for the conclusion of his elo-
quent and conclusive letter:
ANY man who represents Know Moth
ingism, whether he be native or foreign
born, be he National American or Black
Republican, a member of secret council
or an alder and abetter of the cause, can
have a 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 Inc as an example, that 1T
takes at least twenty-one years residence
to qualify an Irishmm for citizenship in the
United States. They must allow me, how
ever, on my side, so 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
WIFI PcIlluS anu SIIIIG VI Jul lAtV IIiSbA-
tutions.
If Mr.. Chapman and myself are to have
discussion, let him define the basis on
which he wishes to found it. He says, son
the American platforms" but having IN my
possession about twenty five platforms that
processes to be ''American," adapted to
every meridian and to every parallel, and
each one claiming to be better than the
others, and perfect of its kind, / am unable
to ''lOcate' my respected Irish friend. He
must also specify the planks he wishes to
discuss; for, surely, he cannot expect me
to debate the trUiSmS that appear in the So
called ''American' platforms. The public
would hardly thank Mr.. Chapman and my
self for discussing ''the being and Overruling
providence of God;" whether we should
have an 'attachment to country" whether
''the Union ought to preserved" whether
1.-The constitution and the laws should be
reverentially obeyed;" whether corruption
in politics is great evil whether dis
gust for the wild hunt after office is great
blessing;" or whether ''the United States
ought to deal justly with all nations" /
would have to be real know-nOthing to
deny such things; and | therefore ask, most
respectfully, to be allowed to decline the
discussion of them. | also beg leave to
decline controversy about the respective
merits of the Protestant and Catholic faiths.
As Protestant [ cannot allow myself to
be placed in such position, but leave it for
those to whom it appropriately belongs
In word, let Mr.. Chapman state what he
considers the diStinctirc characteristics of
''Americanism'' in the form of plain propo-
sitions, and let him give them question
able shape.'' / wish to see his declaration
before can plead to it-both are necessary
to q proper issue.
There arc some references to myself in
Mr.. Chapman's communication which de-
mand notice. He says that | am "a pupil
of the far famed Chalmers if he is not
mistaken. l have been pupil of Chal-
mers; however unworthy of that great
teacher. l caught none of his inspiration,
and remember but a small part of what he
taught. Heappears to me, however, through
the vale of years, as the founder of the Free
Church of Scotland, and the advocate of
Catholic emancipation-mOre glorified and
ennobled by his advocacy of each than by
his sublime dispositions on the mechanism
of the starry heavens. He was the author
of the maxims that ''Catholic disabilities
are a dead weight on the holy cause of Pro
testantism - that statutory enactments
for the protection of truth become formida-
BILE auxiliaries for falsehood," and that 1.-THE
spirit and word of G cd are the only Heaven
sanctioned instruments for the propagation
of the Christian faith. | must cease to re-
member Chalmers ere ] can fear the Pope;
| must forget the banner of the covenant
ere l dread the banner of the cross. Unjust
lose faith in the religion of my fathers
1.-THE holy cause of Protestantism''-ere l
deem it necessary to defend it by Iegislating
against Popery.
Mr.. Chapman says he has LEARNED that
l have espoused the anti-American cause"
If by this is meant that am in favor of any
interests antagonistic to the prosperity and
perpetuity 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, its institutions,
and its people. Again: the term anti-Amer-
lean is sometimes applied to designate the
Democratic party. l am not Democrat
in the strict sense of that word; profess
to be Whig-an old line Whig-a Clay
Wing. / am one of those Wings that did
not follow their file leaders to offer sacrifice
at secret affairs. l am one of the s'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
tie approaching one. As Southern man,
1 can see no other organized party that can
oppose Northern aggression; as lover of
liberty, know of no other party that is
likely to preserve and to extend our glorious