Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-15

The most noticeable thing to us in the present
aspect Of Boston, is the presence and demeanor
OF the soldiery. Everywhere you meet them in
the streets and they look not at all like holiday
soldiers, but like actual men of war in the midst
of an active campaign. Now and then you see
one, it is true, with the metallic portion of his
equipments shining, cross-beltS spotless, and
Respondent boots; but in general they look
more or less draggled, their uniforms stained
with mud and smoke, aud their whole appear
ance indicating their belief that they are called
out for real and serious work and not merely
for ornamental purposes. They are or seem to
be alert, faithful and usually courteous and
considerate Of the feelings Of the citizens, whose
customary freedom of locomotion they are
obliged to restrict so greatly; but we saw one
lunge somewhat yicioasly with his bayonet
at persistent transgressor of the line which
separates the burnt district from free Boston,
and heard more than once replies which seemed
needlessly emphatic to pertinacious and possibly
stupid inquiries. One or two dapper young
officers also, we thought, showed more curiosity
about our passes than was altogether becoming
or agreeable, and our natural indisposition TO
take strangers into our confidence tempted us
to respond to their curt query, Got pass ?"
with civil reminder that that was simply
personal matter with which they could have no
concern, aud that it was very disagreeabe for
asentleman walking quietly through the streets
OF Boston, minding his own business, to be in
terrupted in this peremptory way. We re-
strained ourselves, however, and meekly replied
YES" when our feelings were further outraged
by the abrupt demand, "Show it," We oheyed
Of course, without visible reluctance, and left
these inquisitiYe persons as soon as possible.
Irksome as their attentions were to us, as well
as to many others, who find martial law not an
attractive novelty, there can be no doubt that
the employment Of the militia in this service has
been Of great advantage in saving property and
life, preventing the disorders which such great
calamties tend to foster, and in aiding the nee
essary work in the desoated area which would
have been INSTRUCTED by the presence of crowd
The behavior Of the soldiers, too, with some
TRIVIAL exceptions, receives deserved praise in
All quarters. There have been no collisions, 30
lar as we have heard, with the civil authorities
nor "i'n private citizens, and the soldiers have
hsi'hei Oeen remss IN their duties nor
needles'ly irritating in their performance. Ii is
Curious to see, by the way, what respect the
UNIFORM and the bay0net inspire, and il does
not seem 70 be respect born of fear but az a
consciousness that the blue coat represen,s ,t,.
rigid organization, the sharp discipline. and the
extreme precautions demanded by a great emsr.
gency to which, while 1t lasts, proper Difference
must be eXacted Of everybody at the sacrifice
Of SOME Of The ordinary rights Of the citizen
While the remedyis universally admitted to b,
salutary, no one feels Obliged 10 pretend that j
IS agreeable
We first encountered these guardians Of th,
peace near the corner OF Kingston and Summer
streets, where the tife began. We had no pas,
then, aud found that we could see little OF what
we came TO see without one. We were directed
10 the city hall, where only the indispensable
0cumeni could be obtained That noble build