The New York herald., 1871-01-03
NO OFFICIAL RECEPTIONS.
9rumblings Of the Disappointed
Eovereigns.
Private HOspitalities---TOllet
OF Washington Bellies.
The Presidents Visit to the Graves
at Arlington.


New Years at the Cupital-No OHacial Recep-
tiOus-Privaie Hospitalities-Eiegant Toilets
of WASHINGTON Bellies.
New Years ct the national capital to-day has been
daes non so far as Its celebration is concerned.
This is something unusual for washington. for OF all
days In the calendar New Years has heretofore been
The most scrupulously and the most generally OBJ
served. Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, Washing
toms Birthday the Jacksonian Eighth OF January,
and the Fourth Of July may be allowed TO pass
away quietly, but there has been nc time within
the memory OF the Oldest inhabitant when
the first oay OF the year has not been
carefully observed by everybody at the capi-
ial, from the Chief Magistrate in the Execu-
day opened auspiciously, with bright sunshine and
palmy air, everything conspiring favor that pc
culiar form OF celebrating the day known as "retep-
sons;" but over a.! hung the cloud Of the imperial
pkase issued from the Executive Mansion last week,
announcing that In consequences OF the death OF
Mrs. Belknap, the late wife Of the Secretary
of War, neither the President nor the
members OF his Cabinet would receive on
New Years Day. Had the suspension OF the recep-
lions been confined TO the President and the mem.
bers of his Cabinet, the disappointment would net
have been so generally felt but in this as in other
matters the Presidents example is all-powerful,
ano In community composed almost entirely OF
persons who depend to greater or less degree upon
The Executive favor there were few to bid defiance
TO this innovation upon the customs Of the day. The
Vice President would receive because the Presi
dentshut his doors The members of the Cabinet
Vice President Rad determined to remain secluded.
The General OF the Army must OF course, follow the
example OF bis commander-in chief; 1t would not
look well for the subordinates Of the War Depart
ment TO sct differently. The officers OF the navy
nandesly did not regard this as their funeral and
accordingly many OF them kept open house. The
friends OF the administration the Senate applaud.
ing the action Of the President to the echo thought
Shey could not do better than initiate 1t, and
90 numbers OF them refused to srecelve that class
ofour population which may be designated as expect.
ants, in and out OF Congress-men who have got to
oe taken care Of By the administrarion-dd not
deem 1t advisable, even in small matter, 70 run
counter TO the Executive will. Then there seemed
20 be an unusually large number OF persons whose
relations with the Secretary OF War demanded that
they should mourn with him In his afliction. The
fact already half suspected that the State OF
iowa has her full quota among the ONCE
holders here has been fully developed by this
pected incident. And yet, while paying this out
ward tribute of respect to the example OF the Presi.
dent there were not few, even among the opedient
class, who secretly murmured at the deprivation
which they endured. Others, less reverent less
respectful, less bound by the ties OF office and the
circumstances OF place, openly denounced the
whe,e proceeding They were not want
ang. they said, in respect to the memory
OF Mrs. Belknap nor In regard for her
distinguished husband; but as the obsequies took
place Yesterday, they could not see why the custom
and usages OF the day should be stopped on account
OF the death OF the wife OF member OF the CabL
net. These people urged that during the rebellion
thousands Of the best men IN the country died pre-
ceding every New Years Day, and that while the
nation was IN constant mourning for its gallant
dead the festivities Of the season were observed
even when the sound Of distant cannonadjng
could be heard In Washington. If ever there
was time, they argued, when New Years recep
tons at the White House should have been sus-
pended, it then. Nobody they said, could
accuse the late President Lincoln OF a lack OF feel
ing, or OF a Just regard for the fitness OF things
These were some of the arguments urged by those
who could not see the point OF President Grants
closing the doors OF the White House. There was
another class who seemed 10 look upon 1t
mastery stroke Of policy. This thing,
Eaid the admirers Of the President may not
be appreciated here in Washington, but IT win be
understood and appreciated by the people at large.
The masses viii say Grant is man Of IeeIing-he
is willing to forego the qualification OF personal
exhibition for the sake OF histrienls. / give the
views OF each size, so that your readers may Judge
for themselves. Parties who the President
yesterday and Saturday say tnat he regretted
having dispensed with the receptions. Ii seems
to have been matter arranged by Mrs
Grant, Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Boutwell,. TO which
the President without thinking. gave his assent.
These good ladies' losing sight OF the fact that this
New Years reception Is, by usgge and CUSTOM if not
by law, official and not personal matter, seem 10
have been moved only by feelings OF grief at the
demise or dear friend.
The disappointment all around was OF course
great. The members OF the diplomatic corps had
opportunity to air tEeir Their la
dies had to forego the great pleasure OF appearing
their magnificent and costly costumes The officers
OF the army and navy could not appear in their gay
uniforms and 'look upon the fingly eyes" OF their
comma nder-n-chief as they wished him q happy
year. The judges OF the supreme Court could
not pay their annual respects TO the Chief Mags-
trate. Ihe members OF Congress had no chance to
thank nc President for past favors, with lively
hope ofothers yet to come The veterans OF the war
of 1872 were left to reveres OF the oden time The
Association of the Oldest Inhabitants met as usual!
and went ic their homes without the annual pilgrim.
age TO the xecutlve Mansion. The great unwashed
masses wir look forward from one year to an.
other 10 TIE privilege OF treadng the Presidential
carpet and shaking the Presidential hand, were, of
course disappointed. But the day dld not pass
altogether usnoticed; private families, taking ad-
van; age OF the absence Of Official ceremony redou-
bed their efforts 70 entertain Their fencs. Indeed it
was in some respects, fortunate circumstance TO
them for heretotoEe the high officials Inonopolized
The tipe and attention OF the callers TO suen de-
gree tbst many prlyate families were unable to
count arespectable rumber OF cards at the close OF
the fcstlFs.es. But to-day the reverse was, TO g.
great ertJlt, the case. Though quite number OF
people In spublic positions received all who called,
visiting was chiefly coD6ned TO private citizens.
Mrs Adi1ra Goldsboreugh, wife OF the Com
mandant or Ile .Savy Yard. received at her resi-
dence al the -osnmandanrs quarters assisted by
Mlss Godsborouqh. q niece or the Admiral. Mrs