TRAITORS IN POWER by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1862

TRAITORS IN POWER.

By Uriah Smith

The curse of the Union cause in the great struggle between this government and the rebellion, is the fact that semi-traitors swarm within its lines, and even command its armies. Circumstances every little while conspire to bring out this fact. Another instance, in addition to the many previously existing, is seen in the late attempt of the Hutchinson family to give a series of concerts in the camps on the Potomac, which we find related in the N. Y. Tribune as follows:

“The tuneful Hutchinsons, having the commendation of Secretary Cameron, and the permit of Gen. McClellan, commenced what they hoped would be a series of concerts through the camps across the Potomac on Friday. They were audacious enough to sing Whittier's noble song commencing ‘We wait beneath the furnace blast.’ A Dr. Oakley of the 4th New Jersey made so noisy an expression of his scorn for its anti-slavery spirit that Gen. Franklin revoked the license of the choristers—a simple method of avoiding dangerous disorder. Gen. Kearney had the family ranged before him, and judicially informed them that he ‘thought just as much of Rebels as of Abolitionists.’ Gen. Franklin also ventilated his opinion that the song was ‘incendiary, and deserved to be suppressed.’”

Who can fail to see the parallel between the spirit

here manifested, and that which first appeared in the Southern States in the progress of rebellion. The first step there taken was against the circulation of papers and documents from the North, as “incendiary,” and dangerous, and not to be tolerated. So now in the Union army at Washington, a song of freedom excites by its “anti-slavery spirit” disorder among the pro-slavery members of the regiments, a General pronounces it “incendiary,” and worthy to be “suppressed;” while another General, in the bitterness of his corrupt principles, judicially informs the singers that he thinks “just as much of Rebels as of Abolitionists.”

To express this sentiment in other words it would be that he has just as much sympathy with the rebels as with those loyal men of the North, who understand the cause of the rebellion and are in favor of waging war to some purpose, and removing that cause—just as much sympathy with the rebels as with those who have the true spirit of freedom in their hearts, and desire to see peace restored in the quickest and most effectual way. What can a cause do with such men as these taking part in its counsels and dispensing its authority? The fruits are already abundantly seen in the inefficiency of the vast host called out to uphold the Union, the half-hearted efforts made, the neglect to follow up advantages gained, and the sickly policy that characterizes in general the whole movement. Upon him whose interest is identified with the future of this country, such revelations, it seems to us, must settle like a pall of despair. Such men will not wage war against the evil which caused it, and in no other way can an honorable peace be obtained. What then will be the end of these things? One of two things must follow: either a continuation of our national difficulties, or a peace upon dishonorable and disgraceful terms. The servant of the Most High, in view of the present and prospective state of the affairs of this world, can but rejoice that his interest is identified with a higher power than any earthly government, and look forward with longing anticipations to the setting up of that kingdom which shall be established in righteousness and endure forever. U. S.