Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-01
THE NEW YEAR

The old year, with its hopes and fears Its
JOYS sud sorrows, has passed away forever
aHd the new year is with us. We know what
1@dG brought to of good and bad fortune, but
who can tell what fate 1857 may have in store
for each and all OF u.s. These thoughts natur.
slly recur at this season, although there is
really no good reason Why this day more than
Others should be set apart for retrospective
and prospective moralnng on human life and
its Nicissitudes.
Since time was first measured, however il
has been usual to Sc: apart certain days as a
resting place from which TO review the past
and make good resolutions for the future Let
none forget that the browning grace Of the year
now just commencing will be ito those who
live till its close) the remembrance of time we'll
spent ia promoting the happiness of their fellow
Creatures.
New Years day here has generally been de-
voted 10 innocent festivities. being the close of
the holiday season, and q marked feature of
the Gay is the practice Of making New Years
calls
The Presidents reception absorbs a full
snare of public interest, and the GATHERINGS
present on such &C :asions illustrate the equal
AAng tendencies of cur democratic institutions
seventy seven years ago President Washing
ton held the first Executive Reception, i'm the
city OF New York, then the seat of our Federal
has since been known the Franklin Hopss
where he was waited upon by the principal
citizens, according to the ancient New York
custom of social and convivial visiting on tina,
day. "Af'er being severally introduced, and
paying the usual compliments Of the season.
Gays sn eye witness, .'the citizens mutually in
terctaDged their kind greetings, and Withdrew
highly srstified by the friendly notice of the
fresdeni, 10 most Of whom he was personally
q stranger"
In the evening Mrs. Washingto had A Ievee
and while speaking of the observances of the
day she remarked, ''Of all the in cidents OF tn.
day none so pleased the GeneraI'-by which
title she always designated hIm-.as the friend
Iy greetings of the gentlemen who visited him
at neon To the inquiry of the President
whether II was nal or customary he was An
swered that IL was an annual custom, derived
from our Dutch forefathers which had ALWAYS
been commemorated, After a short pause ne
observed-'The highly favored situation of
New York Will, in the process of years. attract
numerous emigrants, who will Rraduallv
change its ancient customs and manners; but
let whatever changes take place, never forget
the cordial, cheerful observance of New Years
Day
When the seat OF Government was estab.
1ished here, the French custom Of official visits
on New Years Day was added to the social
visitations patterned after those of Gotham
Mrs. Madison, who ssreconstructedn the slight
ceremonials Of the White House, adopted the
programme since carried cut The Pres,dent
first receives the Foreign Ministers, the Judges
of the Supreme Court. and the officers of the
Army and Navy, and then the doors are OPENED
for the sovereign people.
Before General Jaeksons day, the cream OF
Washington society used TO attend the New
Yea s receptions, and refreshments were dis
pensed But the admirers OF Old Hickory took
possession OF the White House, fighting for the
punch, and on New Years an immense cheese.
which had been presented by q New York
dairy man, was cut up and distributed among
them Since then boisterous partisans, and
1mportunate place hunters have crowded and
1ammed, and surged through the White House
on New Years Day, until many ladie. are
reluctant TO entrust themselves and their
tsiletts 10 the mercies of the crowd To strsn.
gers, however, the Sights well worth the trou
bic.
May the New Year bring rothing but bless
ings to all our readers, and may the cares and
sorrows of the past be mere than compensated
by their happiness In the future. With Rim
Van Wrinkle we pledge their good healths, and
their families, and may they all live long and
prosper. .s-.