The daily union., 1856-04-10
AN ELOQUENT LETTER BY A SCOTT ELEcroR IN

In 1852 the wings in Of the electoral districts OF Ten
nessee selected their sector James d. Davidson esq an
rshman, and gentleman Of brilliant talents Another
rishman, the Rev. j. L. Chapman, also whig and sup
porter Of Cen Scott in 1882 has recently challenged Mr.
Davidson to discussion of the kpownothing issues The
reply of Mr. Davidson is worthy of perusa by every old
line Whig in the country The reader will at once how
justly the writer enjoys tbs reputation Of one OF the hrs
orators in the land. The following is the reply;
TO the Editors Of The NashriHs Patriot:
GENTLEMEN have read in your paper Of the 22d inst
communication the signature Of James L. Chap
man. in which the writer challenges mankind in general
and myself in particular to friendly discussion based
the American platform any article of it, and have
since read editorial speculaons about the issue of the
proposed discussion and remarks about the parties
pected to engage in it, BE kind enough allow space
in your columns for reply to the communication Of Mr.
Chapman.
Having taken no part in political affairs for months and
being merely an interested observer OF the movements Of
the times confess not little surprised 10 find my
self the object of so pointed attack and the subject of
newspaper comment 1t is true had remarked it
of the pecuiares OF the age that in quarters the
pulpit had taken the lead of politicians and the press but
did not calculate seeing in Tennessee Irish Protest
ant preacher entering the lists the first knight of the
regret it, for being admirer of Christianity, rejoice
that the affairs of the Redeemers Kingdom much
advanced that they afford to be held for while in
abeyance to allow of his ambassadors time for
fict about the governmental affairs of this world
1he CONNECT having been determined upon am sill at
loss TO conjecture why the Rev James L. Chapman took
it into his head 10 throw his glove at feet and to in
vite to the dust of the political My acquain
with him is very limited extending only an in
PRODUCTION and conversation for hours at the city of
Memphis in the fall of 1852 Our relations friendly
then. Nv were the platform, If remember well
and have recollection of saying doing anything to
interrupt the current Of our reciprocal national affections
except perhaps might be this: that in defending self
before the good people Of Memphis from the charge Of be-
ing Orangeman spoke too harshy of that society for
Chairman.
in my notions about Catholics But surely Mr.. Chapman
has long since forgiven and forgotten sentiments that
not intended to have offensive personal application.
have not heard of the Rev. James L. Chapman since except
IN the occasional indulgence of proclvity for contro
versy and, but for your very opporune Introduction OF
him. he would have been TO me an unknown knight"
confess am somewhat reluctant to accept the chal
lenge Of Mr. Chapman not because | under any
rous apprehensions about defeat demolition, but be-
cause have my doubts about any good that discussion
will effect, and for the reason that very both
sides would claim victory Besides, ! apprehensive
that by portion of our auditors Mr.. Chapman and my
self would be regarded rather in the light of foreign gad
atoral combaants, and they would feel very little concern
if destroyed each other. dislike very much TO afford
to the public the spectacle of Protestant Irishmen
who know the hi2otry and intolerance of the Old World
debating about religious freedom in the New.
But the contest is not of my seeking and shall not de-
cline 1t when the proper time arrives If Mr. Chapman will
wait little longer he any other representative of
nothngism that longs for public entertainment at
my expense, have it. My engagements such that
have nothing to do with politics before summer at
which time have promised to take part in the presiden
tial canvass When that time arrives, any who rep
resents knownothngism whether he be native foreign
born, be he national American black republican
Der of secret council or alder and abetto of the
have fair division of whatever time have dispose
Of shall be perfectly willing for any of them day
after day. for three months demonstrate the people of
Tennessee by example that takes at least TWEEN
tyone years residence TO qualify lrshman for citizen
ship in the United States They must allow however
my side to show If can by them and their principles
that there whom no soil climate length
oyears training could make acquainted with the genius
and spirit of our free Institutions.
IfMr Chapman and myself to have a discussion let
him define tue basis which be wishes to found it. He
says ION the American platform but having in my pos
session about twenty-five platforms that profess to be
American adapted TO every meridian and every para
e and each claiming be better than the Others and
perfect of its kind unable locate' my respected
Irish friend He must also specify the plsnks he wishes to
discuss for surely be cannot expect to debate the
that appear in the so-aled american" platforms
The public would hardly thank Ar. Chapman and myself
for discussing e being and orerrulng providence Of God
whether should have daeTaeHto 10 country :" wheth
ths Onion ought be preseTUed !" whether "he c0ns-
tOn and the dWs should be reUereHOHy obcyod :" whether
corruption politics is great eril !" whether disgust
The Hd hunt after office great Vtrts " whether eduea
ton gTsai blessing ? whether e United States ought
10 deal Justly pih al nations" would have to be a real
kH0ug-a0lhng TO deny such things and therefore ask
most respectfully to be allowed decline the discussion
OF them also beg leave to decline a controversy about
the respective merits Of the Protestant and Catholic faiths
As Protestant cannot allow myself be placed in such
position but leave It for those to whom II appropriately
belongs In word let Mr.. Chapman state what be con-
siders the dRctire characteristics OF "Americansmn in
the form Of plain propositions and let him give them a
questionable shape wish his declaration before
plead to t-both necessary to a proper issHe
There are some references to myself in Mr. Chapmans
communication which demand notice lie says that am
"a pupil Of toe ar-famed Chsmers' il be Is not mistaken
have been pupil of Chalmers however unworthy Of that
great TEACHER. caught Of bis inspiration and re-
member but small part of what he Taught lie appears
TO however through the vale Of years the founder
of the Free Church of Scotland and the advocate of Cath
Ollie emancipationmore glorhed and enuobled by bis ad
yocacy of each than by his sublime disqustons the
mechanism of the starry heavens lie was the author OF
the maxms that Cahoie disabilities a Head UsigAi on
the holy of ProsuaHSm - that "sdttory enacfnsus
for TIE protection Of truth Jcops Formidable auriliariss fer
faissAood and that e spR aEd Word Of God ne only
HedUeH saHctoHed HstuBsHt for the propagation Of tie
CAriSign fGuh.' must cease 10 remember Chalmers
fear the Pope; must forget the banner Of the cove
dread the banner OF the lose faith
ia the religion Of my fahers'he holy cause Of Protest
ansn deem ii necessary TO defend by legislatng
against Popery.
Mr. Chapman says he has "Ieaned that have espoured
the auti-Amsrcan cause" II by this is meant that m
in favor Of any interests antagone TO the prosperity and
perpetuity OF the United States then Mr. Chapmans nfr
nation is untrue, yield to man. foreign-born ma
tive 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 am not
democrat in the strict Of that word profess to be
a whg-sn old line whig-s Clay whig | one Of
those whgs that did not follow their file leaders 10 offer
sacrifice at secret altars OF the ten thousand
who have yet bowed the knee to Baa" acted with
the democrats in the last canvass and expect to do So in
the approaching As a southern man can see no
other organized party that oppose northern aggression
lover Of liberty know OF other party that il likely
TO preserve and 10 extend glorious free institutions In