New-York tribune., 1867-03-12
DONA FEPENTES.

There are various ways Of soothing disap-
pointed General, as well as of complimenting
successful one. Sometimes the recipient OF SYM
pathy gets also big cheese; sometimes
house now q saddle, and then suit of clothes
from An advertising tailor Whether those
kindly persons who have recently presented to
Gen. Lee a pair of game-cOcks, roosters OF no
ignoble lineage and dungbills OF an elevated
breed, exhibited delicacy equal to their per-
sonal devotion, may well be questioned. why
should retired brave who has had losses, ana
who is at present engaged in the praisew0rthy
occupation of teaching young gentlemen their
mathematics, have disagreeable memories
aroused by the gift of brace OF fighting
fowls, and be reminded of the doleful day
when he himself was forced by fate to knock
under2 OF what particular value to the General
these plumy little warriors will be, unless ne
kills, rOasts, and eats them, we are at q loss 10
determine. 1t will be inconsistent with aca-
demic decOrum to match them in the college
yard. Placed, however, in convenient posi-
ton, they may prove valuable allies OF the
college bell in calling the boys to morning
prayers. and may be regularly sworn at by the
sluggards.
Gen. Lees letter accepting the poultry is be-
fore us, and we would quote from it If there
were anything TO quote. He is simply CRATE
full and merely "yOurs respectfully" lie IN
dulges in no ferocious illusions to the Yankees,
and in no rhetorical howls over the corpse OF
the Confederacy. This may be in good taste,
but really we do not think it is what the
donors had reasonable right to anticipate.
We fear that it is of bad example to Major
A. L., md to Officers
in particular. OF what use Is it to throw away
kegs of butter and barrels OF apples, hats, and
boots, and other magnificent specimens OF
merchandise and manufacture upon a military
man who is so extremely afraid of damaging
his chances of the Presidency, be the same
more or less. that he Dsaer permits himself to
60 beyond the polite vagueness OF " much
Obliged ~ When, we should like to know,
ia man TO express his opinions, provided he
has any, if it bc not when his heart is expand
ing with gratitude. or his stomach is full OF
cleemosynary daintics. That must be a very
innexible caution which generosity cannot coax
out of its reserve. We think that General who
expects to be President il under sort OF moral
Obligation 10 have views; nor is It any great
stretch of suspicion so d,strtrst the sincerity OF
opinions which are never aired. It may he
very comfortable for a time 10 be upon both
sides or no side, on this side to-day and the
other side To- morrow: but the safest and
most truly American way. before confiding
great public trust TO any man. Is TO screw his
notions ont of him, or 10 make sure that there
are no notions 10 screw. II he does not yield To
the persuasive influence of presents, and is not
10 be melted into explicit correspondence and
categorical lucidity by our donations it Is a very
hard case for voters at least who desire to vote
intelligently, and who are willing, in a certain
sense. 20 nay handsomely for enlightenment
We think if any more presents are to be
made 10 any Of these brave commanders who
NAV be supposed to be laying slow and silent
siege TO the White House, that the accompany
ing notes might be so framed as TO extract
popular and useful information, something per
haps after this fashion - Dear General accept
"this coat, and what do YOU think of the Wool
Interest ~ or, Here is little purse OF green
"baclis which your friends have made up Tor
"you, and please give us your views of the
resumption of specie payments or, Accept
"this barrel of apples and let us know, If you
"will be so good, whether you think the ser
"pent that tempted Eve, the venerable old
snake, Is not still alive and wriggling in
various parts Ol TINS country" This may not
be very delicate way of getting at military
views of civil matters but as the country has
more than once been miserably and expensiyely
imposed upon, il is safe to aver that delicacy
is ont of place. Ii may not he quite
agreeable for an old soldier to be
forced to say something when he has
nothing TO say; but it must be remembered
that if man is TO be President, he must ulti
mately speak and he must finally do, and that
little private embarrassment now is far better
than national bothemtion hereafter. We
trust that no fine old soldier wants the great
office who is conscious of his unfitness for it
and he may rest assured that he is altogether
unfit for it, if he be without decided opinions
upon the leading questions which arc dividing
the land. A man may be very grateful, and
highly gratified, aud extremely pleased, and
much obliged. and "yours, gentlemen, most
respectfully" without being exactly safe
political person; and if we are to have military
personagcs mixing in politics, what harm il
there in subjectng them to n mild examina-
tiOnf