Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-17
THE TWO PLANS.

While n. z. Willis was visiting Alexandria,
the other day, he "purloined" from the garnet
of the Arlington House leaf of school boys
manuscript which he has happily used to
mint a moral if not to adOrn tale. Though
il was not taken from classic ground, it was at
least covered with attic dust and the poet ed
ior, according to his habit, has put it to an in.
teresting use. While looking over the old
mansion house on Arlington Heights, former
ly the family seat of Mr.. Parke Gusts,
and more recently the residence Of the
traitor general Lee, he discovered "a
dusty and cob-webbed champagne market,
filed with ycllowish old manuscripts, written
in a school boys most legible hand" Taking
possession of leaf of these manuscripts, be
found it TO be Il translation from the Latin, or
perhaps a copy from Roman history, celebrat
ing portion of the military career OF the
Roman general, Sertorius. 1t appeared that
when the Spaniards under his command,
flushed with victory, became impatient OF
their generals delays, the wise old Roman, to
Justify his conduct resorted to the following
artiice He caused two horses to be placed in
view; the one in the full vigor of health
with flowing tail, and the other very poor.
BY the lean horse he placed arobust man, and
ordered him to pull the hairs out of the horses
tail. He seized it, and endeavored TO pull
them out by one grasp. By the other he
placed small feeble man, and ordered him TO
do the same. He, deliberately pulling them out
one by one, soon succeeded but the great ei-
forts of the other were of no avail. Sertorious
then broke silence and said: "You see how
much more efficacious perseverance is than
force"
Between the advocates of the single-grasp
policy on one hand and of the hair-by hair
policy ON the other, there promises TO be an
irrepressible conflict while the war against the
rebellion lasts. The generous, popular sym
pethies are enlisted with the former ard alsC
the impulsive, dashing courage OF many o
the officers who happen to be in command o
detachments OF the federal army. On TIN
other side is Gen. Scott, who in every action
word, and thought, like Sertorius, evinces tn
true and noble Roman. There is fallacy cea
enough to any one who seeks for it, in tn
horse illustration, and in the long line Of Fabi
smge. grasp champion had been sharp, Ii
might have used an instrument, and curaet
the mischief with which he was contending a
blow, while his competitor, in his monoto
nous capillary exercise, was trifiing with the
golden hours. The same rule will apply t.
half the enterprises which the worlds SLOW
tn, hx
delays. But great measures OF policy, involv
ing the interests of continent, and requiring
years for their full development, are not to b,
decided by Balakava charge. The confic
for the perpetuation OF republican government
has assumed magnitude and spiendor which
is almost fearful. Depending for its life on
the consent of the governed, how great pru-
dence and caut on must be required to protect
it, when considerable minority have rebelled
against it with the rashness of madmen and
the fury of savages The just indignation of
the people may appeal for swift and decisive
vengeance; and their mercurial and impress
sible troops may deem it their mission to dash
against the entertainments of the enemy with
out reflection upon the cost. 1t would be hard
to condemn their brave and generous impul
SEES, if it did not involve them and us in com
mon misfortune and disaster 1t is safer
against a watchtul and cunning enemy, cour
ageous enough TO resist attack, and skilfu
enough TO take advantage of mistakes, t
trust to the wisdom Of an officer whose
clear vision surveys the whole field, ana
whose military career has been singularly
illustrious for the perfection if not the
brilliancy of its victories. Other officers
flushed by applause, may perform brillian
exploits in small localities, which neverthe
less derange and demoralze the grand scheme
of the campaign, and postpone the hour of it
completion. In such instances it becomes til,
public to deal thriltily with their compliments
and to reserve their laurels till the grand re
suit shows to what brows they most worthi
belong.