The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-12-27

New Year haa been observed
With much ceremony In this
country ever since the beginning OF oar
Republic. President Washington WAS
tine flrst 20 establish the custom. and az
hts Philadelphia residence. during
his first administration, II has been
uoted that the day was observed with
appropriate ceremonies. with light re-
past IN the afternoon. including plum
cake baked by Martha Washington her
self, and some temperance punch. made
chiefly Of lemons and sugar, minus any
Intoxicating ingredients.
The custom OF New Years calling
originated Ia this country with the
Dutch Ia New York state. The nature
OF the dag, the clearing of OF old .ac-
ccunts and the hopeful beginning OF the
new trial Of life, made New Years day
4 o day for the interchange OF friendly
I greetings, and IN no country more than
In this has the friendly visiting crystal
lied Into such hard and fast business.
In the South. ia the early days, that
hnd where social life II as delightful
and Spontaneous In It's growth as Is the
fora Of the region, New Years day
was formerly observed as the greet
time for coming out. The debutante
hurst into blossom on that day, the old
homesteads were thrown open, and the
social world, like the huge family, met
10 exchange greetings ana good cheer.
On New Years day the observance
In Washington takes on the form of
diplomatic and political observances,
when conveyances from all over tho
city start moving toward the White
House for their occupants to pay their
respects to the president and other dig
nitaries Of our government.
When the general custom of ceIe-
brating the first OF the year by the
parading OF New Year clubs In fan
tastlc costumes. and similar joliihca-
lions began. II il dlfacuIt TO shy, though
Il does not appear to have antedated
tho Civil war. AS for shooting In tho
New Year, that seems to have been the
eustom-and strilSingiy so In Philadel-
phia, ever since the revolution.
When John Adams moved into the
White House Il was so incomplete that
there was very little attempt TO OBJ
serve New Years day at the mansion,
nor In fact any other elaborate social
affair. The celebration, as now OBJ
served began with the administration
uf President Jefferson. ON New Years
day Ia sSo3 II ls noted "On Saturday.
New Years day, the president was
waited upon By diplomatic characters,
the officers OF the government. the
members Of the legislature. and the
citizens generally. There We're also
present large number OF ladies' In
1904 the report contains the informa-
tion that sthe affair was rendered more
agreeable by the accompaniment OF the
Marine and Italian bands"
At this second Jefferson reception
"some time after the company hac
assembled. Colonel Burrows, at the
head OF the Marine corps, saluted the
president, while the band of music
played the presidents march, went
through the usual eyolutions In mas
teriy manner, fred sixteen rounds In
platoons, and concluded with gen.
eral 'feu.de- joie.1
Naturally. with Dolly Madison ms hos
tess. the New Year receptions during
her husbands administration were bril-
liant. and at the last one, prior to th'
burning Of the mansion, guest wrot'
! ais follows: "Nothing ever was wit
messed ia Washington so brilliant ant
dazzling
Every president since then has cele
brated TIE dawn OF the new year al
I an occasion for diplomatic courtesles
I as well as an opportunity to give tn
public chance 20 visit the Whit
House and shake hands with the presl
dent