28 REVIEW OF MILITIA. [CHAP. II. 



which are not often found out of the true plumb-line, seemed to 

 reel over his head.&quot; 



Allusion was here made to this Hall having been the place of 

 large popular meetings before 1775, where American patriotism 

 was first roused to make a stand against the claims of the mother- 

 country to impose taxes without consent of the provincial legis 

 lature. In later days, the building being under the control of 

 the city authorities, and the Whigs being usually in the ascendant 

 here, the moderate party have almost always obtained possession 

 of the Hall. 



Sept. 23. From the windows of a friend s house, opening on 

 the Common, we have a full view of what is called the &quot; Fall 

 Parade,&quot; or autumnal review of the Boston militia, cavalry and 

 infantry, which has lasted all day, ending with a sham fight and 

 much firing of cannon. Not that there is any excess of military 

 fervor in this State, as in some others at the present moment ; 

 on the contrary, a numerous and increasing Peace Association is 

 distributing, gratis, many thousand copies of a, recent Fourth-of- 

 July oration against war and military establishments, delivered 

 by Mr. Charles Sumner. I was asked by a young friend here, 

 in full uniform, whether I did not think &quot; Independence-day&quot; (an 

 anniversary when all who have a regimental costume are accus 

 tomed to wear it), a most inappropriate time for such an effusion, 

 in which non-resistance principles bordering on Quakerism had 

 been avowed; the orator asking, among other questions, &quot;What 

 is the use of the militia of the United States ?&quot; and going as far 

 as Channing in pronouncing war to be unchristian. 



I remembered having once admired the present Bishop of St. 

 Asaph for choosing a certain day, set apart by the English 

 Church for commemorating the &quot; conspiracy, malicious practices, 

 and Popish tyranny of the Romanists,&quot; for preaching a sermon 

 on religious toleration ; and I therefore felt some hesitation in 

 condemning the opportunity seized upon by an enthusiast of the 

 peace party for propagating his views. 



&quot; There is a soul of goodness in things evil 

 Would men observingly distill it out.&quot; 



So long as the War of Independence lasted, I can understand 



