Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-25
ANOTHER POWERFUL RECRUIT TO DEMO-
CRACY.

In the contest Of 1862. James NJ. Davidson, Esq.
an Irishnan and gentleman of brilliant talents,
n Whir Eector in Tennessee. He has recently been
challenged TO discussion of the Know Nothing is-
sues by the Rev. J. L. Chapman, another Irishman
and also n supporter of Gen. Scott in 1852. Mr.. Da
wilson's reply accepting the challenge at the proper
time should be read and studied by every old line
Whs in the land. We regret that we have but space
for the conclusion of his eloquent and conclusive let.
ter:
Any man who represents Know. Nothingsm, whc
ther no be native or foreign born, bs he National
American or Black Republican, member of secret;
council alder and abetter of the cause can have
fair DIVISION of whatever time have dispose Of.
shall be perfectly willing FOR any 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 years residence to qualify
an Irishman for citizenship in the United States
They must allow me, however, on nv side, to show,
if cam by them and their principles. that there are
some men whom no soil or climate no cugth Of years
or training, could nakn acquainted with the genius
and spirit of our free institutions.
IL Mr.. Chapman and myself are to have a discus.
si0n let him define the bisi, on which lie wishes to
found it. He says, 'nu the American platforms" but
having i'm INV posse dsun abOu: twenty five platforms
that profess 10 be "American," adapted to every
rean ani tn every parallel, and eacl, claiming
to be better than the others, and perfect of its kind
unable 10 ''lncatc my respected Irish friend. lie
also specify ;h- planks lie wishes t" discuss: for
surely he cannot expect me To debate the trH'sms
that appear in the so-caed "American' Platforms
The public would hardly thank Mr.. Chapman and
myself for discussing "the being and overru'ng pro-
violence of God' whether we should have an AT
tachlnrnt TO country whether thc Union ought to
be preserve" whether 'hr constitution and the laws
should be revereuiially obeyed;' whether corruption
in politics is great evil whether dssust for the
wild hunt after Office is n great vrtuei whether
.education is IL great bessinG:' or whether "the
Ipited States ought to deal justly with all nations.
I ,ynnld have to be Il real know-nothinS to deny
.uch things: and therefore ask, most respectfully,
IN h., allowed ts declin" the discussion Of them l
al.o ber leave to decline controversy about the
rssnectiye merits of the Protestant aud Catholic
fa;,hs Az n Protestant cannot allow my self TO be
niacrd in such position, but leave it for those to
whom il appropriately belongs. In word, let Mr..
Cbanmnn state what he considers the d,stinctsrc
hsrscteristcs Of Amer;canism in the form OF plain
urouositious. and let hm give them "questionable
shape" | wish to see his declaration before l can
,,ierd to it-bolh are necessary 20 proper issue.
There are some references to myself in Mr.. Chap
mans communication which demand notice. he
says thai am ga pupil Of tie far famed Chalmers
if he is not mistaken. have been pupil OF Chai
mers; however unworthy Of that great teacher. l
caught none Of bis inspiration, and rsnemosr out