Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-12-09
Gbe QajJp spp,
SATURDAY, DEC. ., 1854.
Oar Military Operations.

The war in Europe has considerably alb
sorbed public attention for some months past.
The more martial minded of our citizens have
followed the operations of the Turks upon tho
Danube and, the action of the allies i'll the
Crimea, with close observation. They have
noted their postions-watched their move
ments-crticised their skill as military tao
tcians-and made the very closest estimate of
their losses, both by sickness and the sword
Now, people that did not know any better,
might suppose, from the interest taken by us
in foreign wars. that we had nothing, of an
important military character, of our own to
claim our attention and excite our pride. But
they would be dreadfully mistaken if they
supposed so. The Presidents message shows
that we have had Greytown and, the fol-
lowing announcement in the Boston papers,
recalls to memory another circumstance
equally glorious and equally llustrious.
Mayor Smith has received from the Unit
ed States draft for the sum of $l4, l65 rs for
the payment of the several military corps
who performed duty during the excitement
connected with the rendition of the fugitive
slave, Anthony Burns. As soon as the neces-
sary preliminary arrangements can be made for
the transmission of the funds through the
proper channels, the different stats and COM
panies will be notified of the precise time
when payment will be made to them-proo-
ably not before the last of next week."
How proudly the word duty sounds in this
connection. How suggestive it is of cour-
age, manhood, and resolution. How indica-
:. Il
of our heroic warriors. The duty performed
by our soldiers was the rendition of a single,
solitary, helpless, Christian minister to slav-
ery. For this glorious service She United
States have sent on the wages; and DR.. ]. V.
C. Smith, present and prospective Mayor
of Boston, is to have the inestimsble priv
ilege and honor of distributing them
The manner of distribution has been fixed
with distinguished military precision; and,
the period of disbursement is only matter of
time. The different stats and companies will
be notified when the preliminary arrangements
are completed; and, then they can march up
and obtain the guerdon of their valor and Of
their honor
The revival of the recollection of this
noble affair comes very OPPORTUNITY to relieve
the public mind, during the absence of news
from Sebastopol. The wars of the Allies and
Russians are forgotten in the more ennobling
anil exciting theme, of the war against An
thony Burns.
Our soldiers did great deeds at that time
They occupied the streets of Boston, Insult
ed the citizens-pricked little boys with their
bayonets-cut down peaceful citizens with
their sabros-and when Anthony Burns was
led forth to slavery, by the valor of their
arms, over the hsllowed spot where Attucks
fell, they nobly greeted him with the gener-
ous chivalrous strain of
"Carry me back to Ole virginny.'
For his participation, in that great action,
Mayor Smith is to be, once more, crowned |
with civic honors. For their active services
in the affair, the {" staff and companies" of |
Boston's military are to receive golden re-
ward.
Europe has not, during the last year, mo-
nopolized the honors and renown that spring
from military yalor. The city of Boston d.
vides that honor with her and writes upon
the escutcheon of her own civil and military
fame, the name of Anthony Burns.