The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-20

and, lupubrious. Menare in doubt, and the poll |
iicians are perplexed. They have gwen up the
merriam anxiety the adven, of Old Rough aud
Ready. A sort OF stuPor seems 10 Irss qpou Tue
minds OF all clques and all parties. Ihey nave ex-
hausted their calculations, ana tns result IS
iist short Of the inauguration. The presence and
extension OF the cholera, along the Southern sea,
hoard has also awakened alarm. It's apprehended
that with the opening OF the spring, It wiil spread
itselfover the Union, including Washington IN 10
line Of march, and this fear has contributed to
dampen the ardor which would otherwise have
been predominant in preparations for irlumphal
reception OF General Taylor and grand inaugu-
ration ball II Is, perhaps, from this cause, that the
committee OF arrangements Tor the ball propose to
raise the price of tickets from tive 70 ten dollars,
making UP in double price the deficiency from the
appiehended reduction OF vislters on account of
The gold fever has also absorbed SO much of
public attention IN Washington, as to leave the
qufs OF General Taylor's policy and measures,
and his cabinet, entirely 10 the shade. The great
questions now are, what is the latest news from
New Orleans-how rs the cholera? What
best way to go!-how long will 1t take to get there
and who are going Is Congress gong to do any !.
thing for the protection OF human le in Callic.r.
ma? and is there any danger OF taking the cho era
oryellow lever at Chagres or Panama, while Watt
ing tor the steamers sfn.
The cholera, the gold fever, and the Southern
csucuses In the Capitol, have, therefore, lett the
questions OF the csoinet and the admin stra:lon of
General Teylor;o be provided for whe,, they come
Politicians End letter writers, and the public at
large are equally confounded, perplexed, and stu
pineds What, with slavery, ard gold dust, and
The Asiatic pestilence-what with the pressure of
ne ;po1tentous condition OF affairs In Europe, and
lie startling position OF things at home, no sane
man presumes TO look beyond the Inauguration.
We look around us with mingled emotions of fear,
hope. pride, admiration, expectation, and donbt
Nothing Is distinct fog. like that which on
every, or almost every, morning IN the year, hangs
over the coast Of California, also hangs over the
the political and moral atmosphere of the day.
The fashionable season OF Washington this WIN
ter, hae also been monotonous and heavy, like the
reel at fancy ball at the hour OF four O'Clock IN
the morning. The enthusiasm and the glory OF
ewinter season have not been with us this winter.
The officers of the existing administration are
going out-they are, therefore, not in the humor
for dancing; they who are to succeed are not yet
appointed, aud the eXpectants judicious in re-
framing from any unauthorized expenses at the
shrine OF fashionable entertainments After the
inauguration, We may have round OF balls and
parties; but the practical things of the times will
cut:them of TO bTiet interval.
II ID more important now, that the railroad of
Bayard " Company should be finished to the Pa
clfc as soon as possible, than to know whether
General Taylor will follow the cid rule Of proscr-
hon; 1t is more important now, that AspinwalPs
railway postage to Panama should be completed,
than to know who Is to be the Secretary of
the Treasury and II IL of greater moment to look
our Tor passage 10 California, than TO prepare for
the inaue ration ball. Nor have men time to spe-
cu'ate upon the policy OF Gen. Taylor, when the
cholera Is approaching, and the smouldering fires
OF dIscord begin to smoke and flicker in the Ca
pItol g. er-r..- 49, ~ t.rr.-s tt,....as b
Up 10 this time the two houses with the excep.
ton OF the late sporadic caucuses,) have only
tured upon the thre shold OF the slavery question.
On Monday next. the Senate opens the door to the
whole concern, in all Its bldckness. Let us hope
that II will tend to good results. w.