Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-25
W ORCES T E R
SATURDAY.. APRIL rs, 1863.


Traitors In the Public service.
THE very great leniency towards rebels
and their sympathizing friends, which has
heretofore influenced the conduct of leading
men in the government at Washington, has
very naturally tended to repress suspicion
where it should have been cherished, and to
create confidence where it was not deserved.
When the present administration came into
power, the various departments at Washing
ton were full of men whose sympathies
were actively with the secessionists,
and this was so because leading seces-
sionsts and their friends had controlled these
departments for years. The welfare of the
government demanded complete and care
fully made change not only in the heads Of
the various bureaus but also in all the clerk
ships of any importance; and there should
have been as little delay as possible in max
ing this change, especially in those bureaus
most nearly connected with the war depart
ment and the army. The failure TO make
such a change as was demanded has left much
of the business Of the war department prey
to spies and secret agents of the rebel leaders.
Recall for a moment the history of one i'm
portant bureau of the war department, since
the rebellion began. At the beginning the
adjutant general of the army was that same
Lee who now commands the rebel army in
Virginia. In this man Gen. Scott had the
most unbounded confidence. He entrusted
him with all his plans and would not entertain
doubt of his loyalty. Lee kept the office
just as long as he could retain it usefully to
the rebels, and then suddenly, without a
word of forewarning, disappeared to join
his fellow traitors at Richmond. Gen. Scott
and others were ''astounded." OF course
they were. But, when the new adjutant gen.
eral, Thomas, was installed in Lees place,
nobody thought it necessary to change any of
the clerks in that office. Even the Chief
clerk, whose relations with Lee had been
confidential, was retained. For the sake
of propriety, and to place the adju-
tant generals Office beyond the reach OF
i'll fame, or suspicion, this man should have
been removed. But he was retained; and
4
of communicating with the rebels and be
traying the secrets of the war department
Will he be dealt with as he deserves
We hope so; but dispatch from
Washington, written and sent, evidently, b.
the fellows immediate friends, tells us tina
instead of being summarily dismissed anC
punished, he still retains his place, and i.
making loud profession of innocence. We
trust that this dispatch lies foully. The coun-
try will not believe him innocent, and the
government cannot allow him to retain lis
place on any plea whatever, without doing
itself grievous injury.
1t is notorious that important secrets of the
war department have constantly been reveal
ed to the rebels before they were announce,
to our own army officers Immediately interest
ed in them. Circumstances have in man
cases turned suspicion to the adjutant gener
ais 9itees, sqp@ afhd b attbsa III this work
treachery. We hear now that all the partic
ulars of Gen. Rockers recent order for al
advance was Immediately communicated Il
the rebels, either from the adjutant general
Office in Washington, Or from some traitor OF
the Rappahannock. Even the rebel picket
showed their knowledge of it by shouting
across the river what they knew. 1t is higl
time to begin furnishing these traitors in the
most summary and unrelenting manner. Mer-
cy and justice both demand it,-mercy as well
as justice to the republic. We feel sure that
every such william detected within Gen. Hook
er's lines will die the death of traitor very
speedily. And if the cause of the country is
faithfully served, they will be treated in tine
same manner everywhere.