New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-06

The feeling with which We contemplate the cor
respoudepce between Gen. Scott and Mr.. Secretary
Davi,. Of which We yesterday gave ourresders some
specimens, can only be descr bed as one Of disgust
spd sorrow. Il appears that the difficulty had its
origin. no, in apy personal Misunderstanding but IN
some difference Of opinion respecting public affairs,
and this makes the case al the worse. We blush
at the aspect Of Government whose Minister Of
War il such q blackguard IS NJ. Davis can prove
hirn.elf under such circumstances, and whose most
bonored military commander exhibit. 50 glazing
want Of dignity and self-control.
Tbs is not an official correspondence in the strc.
sense Of the term In Official relations there "a ST.
ways q superior and an inferior, and the ordinsry
rules Of strict discipline avert 81 the outset any de-
vistions from dignity or Propnely. It il not too
much TO say that tbs vehement interchange Of cpl
the,s and abuse should have been authoritatve'y
stopped at once BY the President; aud had this lat
ter Official been man sdequa.e to his high station
j. would have been done Nor Is i. has.y con.ro-
versy between two individuals occupying positions
before the country Of equal rank, in which some
acrimonious expressions occasionally escape, and
which, although censurable, may be excused as
prompted by momentary passion. In fact, the
letters taken together form one uninterrupted
stream Of yituperaiion, poured on; knowingly and
deliberately by both Correspondents; and, there
tore, from whatever point Of view il is judged, the
condemnation must extend alike TO both parsici-
pants.
II viii be in vain 10 alege the sO-c called code OF
honor as a reply 10 these structures. NJ one who
acknowledge. ard IS guided by that code ever per.
fists uninterrup.edly in hesping offensive ex-
pressons upon his antagonist. No one who, by
military rules, il admitted 20 BE- man of honor,
continues to deliberately Offend where there is
ph, scal ncspacity or where the age position OF
the opposing party forbids hi TO offer satisfaction
by the customary resor. 10 arms. And on the
other hand. according TO the code, the man OF
honor who is declared by bodily condition or moral
convictions from offering satisfaction by armed
comba. 10 his adversary ought not. under any cir
cumstaDces, TO heap upon him injurious and insult
ing expressions.
The recsossness Of Secretary Davis, his want
Of dignity, Of self-respect, ana Of proper cOmpre-
benslon of his official duties sn1 restons, have
been proved on more than one occasion, and stand
IN the record before the public. Hatred OF Gen.
Scott and envy of biz well earned fame, seem 10
have impeed the Secretary 70 plunge into pool
Of wordy fifth merely 70 bespa!,er his Distinguished
opponent. But Gen. Scott on the other hand,
would have borne himself more worthily before the
eyes Of every true man Of honor, and before the
country, If, instead Of INDUCING in tais display Of
misapplied literary ability, and returning vitu-
persiion with ,itupersiioD, he had not
noticed the FIRE Of his assalant but
had treated him With utter contempt.
Ifihe tone Of his correspondence had been calm and
elevated be would not only have kept within the
limits Of official courtesy, bu would intellectually
have shsned and crushed The fiery aud indecent
Secretary. A giant may look down unmOyed upon
dwarfs, p;smies and enyious little monsters, heed
less of their pincting and their Puny spite; aud
no6e Newfoundland or 81. Bernard dog viii behold
with superior dsdain the miserable ours swapping
well rs those who recognize the requirements Of
the code Of honor would equally and unhesitatng'y
have sustained General Scot: il refusing 70 resor.
to the duello. Iis courage, proved in many battles
his fame, his oge and position, must al place him
above any such necessity, even in the view of
duel sts themselves.