The New York herald., 1870-01-02

raj Pleasure.
WASHINGTON. Jan. l, 1870.
New Years at tho national capital to-day was
observed more generally than for many years.
Everything combined TO make the cay pleasant.
The sky was clear, the temperature pleasant and
the streets mraculously clean, considering the mud
and sush that abounded for two or three days pre-
ceding, and, everybody with penchant for "call-
ing seemed disposed TO make the most OF the favor
able condition OF things by exhausting the list OF
friends, acquatntances and public 0fncials. The
Oldest residents declared that happier New Year
never came and went; never were 80 many merry
callers abroad; never were receptions agreea-
able and cordial And the oldest residents certainly
ought 70 know.
To describe the celebration here to-day may ap.
pear TO bs repeating Oft told tale, and, generally
speaking, this true but at the lime there
features about the occasion to-day that entite to
some larger mention than brief summary could
AFFORD. And nrst OF these features ID to be found In
the fact tina: the soldier President gave his FIRST New
Years reception, 70 which event nearly ali Wash
ington, high and low white and black, native and
foreign, contributed. 1t was really great day vt
the Executive Mansion, outside - we'll as in.
Though the programme SAID the reception Of
President Grant would not commence until
eleven A. NJ, and that then 1t would be confined TO
the Cabinet and foreign Minister'S crowds had
gathered about the Executive Mansion as early az
haif-past nine O'Clock and clamored for admission.
All the gates leading 10 the mansion, however,
closed ana guarded by energetic policemen who
had received accurate and strict orders from super
intendent Richards, and therefore barred the
entrance Of all but few members OF the press and
the moment arily arriving carriages containing the
Cabnes members and foreign Ministers.
Sambo Insnited.
Among the throng Of spectators were hundreds or
American citizens OIL African descent, who
had been thrown into fever OF ex-
citement by report that the President
had issued an order insulting to their
race, and which they regarded subversive OF the
Chicago Convention platform TO say nothing OF the
fifteenth amendment OF the constitution. TINS sup.
posed order was that the African callers were to be
kept In the background until all the white citizens
should have an opportunity to squeeze the Presl-
dental digiss other words that sambos equality
was not 10 he recognized on this any more than OH
some former public occasions OF not very remote
antiquity. The colored gentry were muttering theE
discontent both loud and deep at the alleged Presi-
dental discrimination account OF and color.
They considered II the unkindest cut OF all that
Grant their second Moses, The chosen Of their
own-he to whom they all looked as their
great champion since the day when he spoke
80 bravely TO General Tate, the Haytien
Minister, ana SO kindly OF their race. should,
or an occasion like this, codly and treacherously
turn his back on them. I find II hard to ascertain
whether the coored community had Just ground for
their complaint or not but certain 1t Is that some
one gave verbal Instructions TO Superintendent
OF Police Richards not to admit the blacks until al
tendcd to have authority therefor from the Presi-
dent himself. Mr.. Richards did give such jnsruc-
uons to his police subordinates and was under the
impression that the Instructions thereto emanated
from the President. He 30 informed your cores
pondent and seemed to regard the order unneces-
sary and unwise. how II was carried out Will be
noted further on.
Receiving Visitors.
Passing through one Of the iron gates on Penn
sylyania avenue and proceeding along the circular
road brought me under the spacious portico Of the
Executive residence. A formidable force OF police
were on duty at the spot. Raf dozen police ushers
headed by our old friends Dunn and Fox in neat
black suits ana immaculate shirt bosoms, danced
over the cafpeted stone pavement with agility and
attended to the arriving visitors with grace that
might rival that OF my Lord Chamberlain. Just
inside the grand entrance one beheld scene OF
uIcTcSb duu Ucdutys Inc DtaulHul reception
hall, or anteroom, was occupied by q number OF
newspaper men of Washington, Richmond and New
York ranged at either side and reastng upon the
grand panoramic view presented. by the rapidly
arriving visitors-particu,arly the ladies-and the
richly arrayed foreign representatives. At one side
of the hall the Marine Band stationed, enhanc-
ing the pleasure OF the by the performance OF
choicest music. General Frederic T. Dent was in his
glory. marching to and fro in full uniform and re-
ceving the visitors with graceful courtesy prelimi-
nary to their presentation to the President. The
Cabinet Ministers were the first to arrive. Sec re-
tary Fish, with his LADY, appeared about
half.past ten. Then came Creswell, the Post
master General, with Mrs. CresweIl and two
other ladies; then Boutwell,, the Financial
Secretary accompanied by Mrs. Boutwell, and
daughter; then Belknap, the successor OF the two
distinguished administrators OF the War once,
stanton and Rawlins General Belknap was accom-
panied by his charming lady. Assistant Secretary
OF state DAVIS. with Mrs. Davis, followed Belknap,
and lastly Secretary OF the Interior Cox. The luck
less Attorney General put In no appearance at all.
The Diplomatic Corps.
And now came the diplomatic corps rolling up to
the portco in carriage after carriage, and passing
through the ante-room to private apartment,
where they were received by Mr.. Fish. AS each OF
the richly attred representatives Of kings queens
emperors princes, dukes and other potentates made
his appearance there was hardly suppressed cry
OF admiration. Ye gods what picturesque display Of
coors, what flashing OF crosses and brilliant
decorations the Prusslan, the Russian, the Aus
trian, the Spaniard, the Turk, the Frenchman, Bel
gian Briton, Greek, Dane, Italian, Mexican, Swede
Norwegian SWISS, Dutch, South American and even
Hayten were all dazzlingy represented by minis
tiers at the republican court Of Ulysses Baron Gero
courtly and digni6ed, with his lady and daughters
was among the earliest arrivals OF the diplomatic
corps. Bacque Bey, the Turkish Minister. by his
peculiar Ottoman costume and towering figure, was
easily singled out. His highly accomplished lady
tnone more so IN Washington) accompa-
MED NJ. Blacque; also the handsome Bal
laxz, hs secretary; Mr.. Thornton, the
British Minister, passed on with stately
men; Count Favernay, French Charge d'AGares,
and the gay and exquisite Comte de Lurcnnc ap.
peared in superb costume. Then there was the
short sharp and decisive Catacazy OF Russia, the
Czar's new representative here. Catacazy was re-