The Washington herald., 1910-08-07
CHORUS

Give Us Back Our Old Com
mander." or Little Mack. the Peo-
pies PRIDE has the unique distinc-
ton OF having been the only song
ever written in America upon which
the United States government
stamped its disapproval- And not
only the government, but public
sentiment was wei divided as 10
its propriety and the advisability
Of allowing 1t TO circulate during
the exciting times Of the rebellion.
wheu it did so much 70 stir up dis
sension and revolt among the great
admirers Of Maj Gen. George B..
Mcclellan.
Septimus Winner. the composer Of
this song. was entirely innocent Of
any djsloyalty. he never for a mo-
mebt thought. when he wrote Give
Us Back Our old Commander" that
It was going TO bring him any
trouble He never imagined that
he would be charged with rebelliOus
sentiments when he innocently put
into the song a plea for the rein
statement Of Little Mack" as be
was affectionately known among
the soldiers
He saw no reason why any objec-
ton should be found TO the limo
cent expression of regret CT the de-
position OF hts favorite. In writing
the song he looked upon the work
as only a little token OF esteem by
a Philadelphian for a Philadelphian.
which expressed his own sentiment,
and which. he thought. would be
appreciated by other friends OF Nc
Clelian. never expecting that. #
would reach beyond the small field
OF circulation OF his songs.
He miscalcuiated, however. and he
must have been as much amazed as
any one when he heard that 100. 900
Union soldiers on the banks OF the
Potomac were singing Give Us
Back Our Old Commander" and
that the heavy hand OF the govern
ment had been set in motion for its
suppression as leading to seditiOn
and Reorganization.
When Winner fully realized what
he had done he was one or the first
10 try 10 make amends. He readily
gave his assurance not to encOur-
age further the circulation OF the
verses, and while the publishing OF
the song had been turned over 10
other parties. he assisted in every
way in its suppression, as well as
in rendering every assistance in the
securing and destruction Of the
plates, that no further copies should
reach the public.
Any one who had a personal &C
quaintance with Septimus Winner,
author OF The Mocking Bird.
What is Home Without a MOther?'
and dozens OF others Of those sweet
songs of long ago. will readily un-
derstand how far his mind and his
heart were from treason in the writ
ing Of Give Us Back Our Old Com
mander" When the government
came 70 investigate, the hgh esteem
in which Winner was held in Phil.
adelphia went far toward temper
ing any punishment they may have
meant 70 infiict upon him.
But naturally the government
looked with that same sort Of sterr
vigilance which the songs OF Ange
Pitou excited In the official minds
OF France in Madame Angot'S
Daughter" upon Winners effort
Like many another Philadelphia
Winner sympathized with Mcclellan
when the displeasure Of the Lincoln
administration fell upon the gen
eraL Mcclellan had been depOset
from the command OF the Army Of
the Potomac. had been restored &c
II after the ignominious failure o.
Pope at the seconc battle OF Bul
Run. and had not only shown a
| South Mountain and Antietam sons
Of the qualifications OF a fighting
! general, but had thereby virtually
saved the National Capital from
falling into the hands Of the Con
federates.