The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-01

The Army Of the Potomac is enjoying its New
Years festivities in peace and in mud. Heavy
rains were falling all day yesterday. seeing out
the old year in the same delightful fashion expe.
rienced here. Officers are Fastening home in
large numbers on furiough to revisit their families
at this season Of reunion. The enlistments in the
veteran regiments continue to proceed vigorously.
The name Of General Grant is said to be well re-
ceived smOng the soldiers in connection with the
Presidency. and IL is believed that, with the ex.
ception of General Mcclellan, he would Just now
poll the largest vote Of any man in the country.
The blockade runners at Wilmington have not
been 30 successful Of late. The Navy Department
received official information from Bermuda yester-
day to the effect that the steamer Coquette re-
turned there on the 18th, having been among the
blockading feet Of Wilmington, but could not get
in. The steamer Ranger, which left on the l4th
with full cargo, also returned, not having been
able to make her way through the feet.
We give another most interesting instalment Of
Southern news to-day. The Richmond Enquirer
has q bold and able article against the almost
universal CONSUMPTION proposed by the rebel Con.
gress. II argues that many Of the men now in the
ranks would be OF more service if restored 10 their
legitimate labor on the farms and plantations and
endeavors to show that in previous wars in Europe
no such Wholesale consumption was either neces.
sary or valuable. The Examiner has an article
half humorous. half savage upon the way in which
General Averll fooled the rebel generals in his late
famous expedition. The position Of the rebel army
in Tennessee, the exchange Of prisoners, and tn,
action Of the House and Senate of the rebel Con
gress, also form subjects Of earnest comment il
the Richmond journals. Christmas appears TO hav,
been kept in an extra jovial fashion in the rebe
capital, II We can Judge from the graphic accoun
OF scenes in the Mayors Office on the following
morning.
Our news from North Carolina shows o still
stronger disposition in the press Of that State :
sustain the policy and action Of the adminstratio
at Washington. Their comments on the messag
OF yen Davis are severe, while Mr.. Lincoln
message and proclamations are fsvorably regarded
xyeCxLLANE0us NEws.
The steamship Persia, Captain Lott from Liver
poo, 10th and Queenstown 10th ult., arrived Z
this port yesterday morning. Her advices hav
been anticipated by the Adriatic. We, however
give in to-day's HERALD some interesting extract
from our files Of European papers brought by Ii
Persia.
despatch from Albany announces that Cove
nor Seymour has removed the Metropolitan Polio
Commissioners, and appointed in their plac,
Messrs. Joseph l.. Bosworth and william MENU
raw. Of New York, and William B. Lewis, of Brood
lyn. The immediate cause Of the dismissal Of u
old Board was their report relative TO the Jul
riots. which the Governor regards as sectarian an
partisan, and as showing that the Commissioner
have departed from the impartial and dispersion
ate position Of public officers, and lost their usefC
ness.
The passport system still continues In oper
ton. and Ia carried out as smoothly, II is said,
the authorities could wish. Yesterday six prom
neus merchants Of this city were arrested by Q
\ esu es Marshal MURRAY. 90 the charge Of attcmp