The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-03

III
the remainder of that newly acquired territory.
The great question may be said, therefore, to be
now fairly before Congress. THIS great issue,
then, having been put forward, the mind naturally
inquiries what course will the leading members of
both houses pursue in regard to it! We say no.
thing about the factious portion-that set of men OF
whom, We sorry to believe, there are too many
in Congress-who would endanger this great con-
federacy, and, we had almost said, ruin 1t, too,
provided they could make little ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
for themselves therefrom.
This is not time TO allow of the exercise
OF such pemcious influences. The cry of fac
ton and sectariansm must be silenced, and we
have full faith that there are, in both houses, men
capable of silencng it. A great questlon-one
which, on former occasion, shook this Union to
its centre-which made the remotest parts of it
vIbrste and oscillate-ls again forced on us, and
must be decided. Let, therefore, the men Of in
tellect and weight and influence, in both houses,
come TO the rescue, and repel the force with which
uluas and fanatics of the North and South will
assail the Union.
Nrw YEARS DAY.-There are two days in the
year, in which all genuine New Workers delight;
one is the Fourth of July, and the other New
July is in common with other Americans, but it
is IN New York cities alone that New Years
day is observed in the good old Knickeiboclier
fashions at least, it is the only State in the Union
In which the custom is as yet general. Several al
tempts were made TO introduce il into Boston, by
the arlstocratic classes, which proved failures
partly from the dislike Of the thrifty Bostonians TO
give up their business for pleasure even for
4. L., ~. ,hot
Still wells the "city of notions" In Washington 1t
has been partially observed, the Presidents and
their ladies' setting the example. Mrs. Madison and
John Quincy Adams always received calls on that
day. In st. Louis, where there are many New
Yorkers, it is only observed TO some extent.
But in none of those cities is it an established
universal usage, having the efficacy law, as it
has in Gotham; nay far greater efficacy. for no law
of the Legislature could oblige all the ladies of
large city to 'keep open house" for whole day,
and give welcome to every visiter.
There is some difference of opinion about the
propriety of the custom; and, no doubt, like most
other customs, 1t has its disadvantages as
well as its advantages; but it is now ga fixed
fact" IN the great metropolis, and it is more
pleasant to dwell upon the bright than the d irl
side Of the picture. Even those who dislike
the usage, are coerced into an observance OF it;
one might as well attempt to stem the flowing of
old ocean with pitchfork, as to oppose the eur
rent Of popular opinion After all, the good result
ing from il is greater than the evil, and there is
genuine bold dash Of social feeling about it that
we like. 1t draws man and man, and woman
and woman, closer together, and constrsns them
to think better Of human nature and of each other
than they do at a cold isolated distance. The
rigid iormalities which conventioaallsm has erect
ed as barriers between citizens, are laid PROSTATE
for day, and kindly intercourse Is reciprocated
without previous acquaintance.
II Is essentially republican, equalizing custom
for there is no man so humble that he may not,
without breach of decorum, visit, il he pleases,
the houses even OF the upper ten. IL s true that ia
another point Of view il seems to invade of the
first principles Of personal liberty, namely, that
livery maA's house is his castle New Years day
is an exception to this doctrine OF the common
law, Tor on that day your house is at the mercy
of every invader, and not only many "troops Of
friends" enter unopposed, but their friends and
their friends friends. Nor do the ladies' object to
this invasion. In the gentleness oil their nature,
they take it all in good part besides, it affords
them an opportunity Of seeing many strange ami
NAL and odd fish " they would never otherwise
have a chance Of meeting II is an excellent
method, too, OF bringing the young Of the opposite
sexes together, with view TO more intimate rela.
tons al future day. Then there is something so
crafty ing to the sudable pride of womans heart,
to have her house look nice, and TO feel that
many have seen il is so, and that she has spread
sump;uous or an elegant table for her guests. Fl
nally, i, quite pleasant piece of arithmetic for
the ladies next day to reckon from their memorial
DUN, to their female acquaintance, the number of
calls with which they had been honored and
hence il lie that the gentleman who brings most
visiting friends with HIM on New Years day, il the
most popular both with maids and mairons.
II may be said that this picture has its shadows.
as well as its lights-that rivalry. emulation, and
Jealousy are excited and that those who are no.
in Silluent circumstances, are either tempted into
expenses beyond their means, or they mus, be coa-
tent to feel tie humiliation Of comparative poverty.
Even ihis, however, serves as d stimulus TO greater
oxeriion IN accommodating the almighty dollar, and
has . tendency TO Lessen dramdrinking and mlny
oiher CAUSES Of unnecessary expenditure, upon
which more money Is spent annually than would
furnish table OF the m0st costly and tempting va
nety for New Years day. But il n not necessary
TO incur great expense on receiving those visits
neat and homely simplicity being more acceptable
to men Of sense. than gorgeous display Of laxury,
So, Tor the objection that men have to make so
many calls and drink so often, that they are likely
TO take too much before they complete theg
rounds, we answer, it is their own fault il they
drink too deeply aud those who do 50 would poo
baby exceed the proper limits just az readily in a
barroom, or uron any other occasion. The re-
uedy is very small drinks. Upon the whole, we
think 1t is a good and wholesome custom, enren-
derirr kindly feelings. and refining mans roughsr
nature. by contact with the softer sex.
EXPECTED AErivAi. or Mons HuNGARiAy RE-
rrcrEs we will soon have in our mids, a num-
Der more Of the gallant heroes who took up arms,
and risked their all. IN the late revolutionary move
msnl in Iiurgay. II appears tina, thirty seven Of