The New York herald., 1862-02-05

rangements and forces of this campaign pro-
misses the suffocation of this rebellion before
the merry month of May.
The Latest Washington Excitement.
There is terrible to do amongst the demi-
monde at the capital about Mrs. Lincoln's
grand soiree this evening. Les envieu1, as
Moliere calls the outsiders on such occasions,
are savagely indignant and protest against
their exclusion as violation Of the constitu-
tion. The long-haired, white-coated, tobacco
chewing and expectorant abolitionist members
of that interesting section of the community
threaten an impeachment of the President But
what is to be done? Mrs. Lincoln is RESPONSE
BILE to Congress for the Presidential
spoons, and it Is not safe to trust an
ice cream thus manipulated in the itch
ing fingers Of these sweet smelling patriots.
Of course the decent portion of Wash
ington society is delighted. The members Of
the different legations intend to muster in full
force upon the occasion, and are busily en-
gagged brushing up their uniforms and de-
corations All. Washington, in short, is in q
ferment and what, between the pleasurable
excitement of the fortunate recipients of invi-
tatiOns and the sourress and bitterness of those
who have been omitted from the list, there
will be no peace in the capital for some weeks
to come. Talk of the social hostilities engen-
dered by the war. They pale in violence be-
fore the asperities aroused by this important
event.
The malcontents are not however, confined
to the capital. Self-conceit and vanity can be
hurt at longer distance than that. Mrs. Lin
coin unhappily omitted from her invitations the
''big and little villains" and their Fort Ganse-
WORT associates Of the Times. Hence the spasm
apparent in the following:-
Poor old Bennett cut of by the stern dctum Of public
opinion from openly plotting treason is reduced to tho
ptfu dodge Of making game Of the social arrangements
Of the White House appears that Mrs Lincoln, bored
TO death by the dolel creatures army contractors
and the like she around her. issued cards for
oirec dansone at tho White House on Wednesday even
ing Bennett. yesterday pitches into tho proposed party
furously, and calls it, among string OF other hard
names, a social blunder much TO be regretted" Now,
why a.socal bIunder' Why not political "blunder" ;"
diplomatic 'blunder." or any othcr blunderS' The
fact Bennett speaks by the rather by the want
of card for tdhe not send on to the capital that illus
rious penpo OF the HERALD Office, the Chevaer Wko6,
expressly he could not get invitation to the
soirees But wkoI returned tickeess Hinc lila lach-
.ssors disappointment and chagrin. and perfectly
for his yesterdays TRADE about tho s'soca blum
der much TO 90 regretted"
There is question here, not of one, but tive
blunders. One is that of our correspondent,
who fippantly applied criticism, borrowed
from some Mrs. Malaprop of his acquaintance,
to Mrs. Lincoln's manner of selecting her
guests. For stupidity and presumption such a.
this we have a remedy, and know how to apply 1t.
The second blunder is that which assumes that
<ha urr> toe hat laft
out in the cold by the Presidents lady on this
occasion. To relieve the anxiety which we
know is devouring our Fort Gansevoort con-
temporary on this point, we see no harm in
stating that we are indebted to Mrs. Lincoln's
amiability for an invitation for ourselves and
family to the soiree in question, and only regret
that the pressure of our business occupations
prevents our accepting it.
We see that some others of the disappointed
are commenting through the press on the impro-
prety of social festivities being held just now
at the White House. If ever there was time
when they are polite and advisable it is at
present The writer's who make such silly re-
marks must be ignorant of the social war that
is being carried ON in Washington against the
White House and its occupants. The seces-
sionist families, who constitute the greater por-
ton of what is called the elite Of society there,
are doing their best, by closing their houses and
refusing to 60 out, to render the capital gloomy
and dismal, so that it may contrast unfavora-
bly, with the brilliant society and gayety of Rich
mond. Mrs. Lincoln is o woman of spirit and
is not to be put down in this way. She argues,
and argues justly, that it is her duty to show
these naughty secessionist danes that there
is sufficient of fashion and respectability
among the ladies of loyal families in and about
Washington to constitute a court that will
easily cast into the shade that of their bogus
President.
Apropos of courts and court danes, we see
that, in connection with this affair, the Times
has got hold of that mysterious but omnipre-
sent being the Chevalier Wikoff, useful alike
as political go-between or as the bearer of
bouquets and perfumed billets. We would ad-
wise our Fort Gansevoort contemporary to
steer clear of the Chevalier He has singular
facility of thrusting his diplomatic fingers into
other peoples pies We understand that he has
been prying about good deal among the
contractors and political jobbers who have in
tested Washington for the last six months, and
can tell thing or two If he chooses. Care ax
Cleuolier, Messieurs. His squibs and crackers
are not all as harmless as you suppose.
MANNING OuR SEACoAsT FORTTrIcArroNs.--
The Old CITY Guard of New York, formerly