Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-01-03
OBSERVANCE OF THE
new YEARS ENTRY
Custom of Calling Originated
With Dutch in New York
State Reception by
Head of Nation.

The celebration of the entrance of a
New Year has been observed with
much ceremony in this country ever
since the beginning of our Republic.
President Washington was the first
to establish the custom, and at his
Philadelphia residence, during his
first administration, it has been
noted that the day was observed
with appropriate ceremonies, with a
light repast in the afternoon, includ-
| ing a plum cake baked by Martha
Washington herself, and some tenn
peronce punch, made chiefly of
lemons and sugar, minus any intoxi-
eating ingredients.
The custom of New Years calling
originated in this country with the
Dutch in New YORK. state. The ma
ture Of the day, the clearing of of
old accounts, and the hopeful begin
ming of the new trial of life, made
New Years day a day forthe inter
change of friendly greetings, and in
NJ country more than in this has the
friendly visiting become such hard
and fast business,
In the South, in the early days,
New Years day was formerly OBJ
served as the great time for coming
out. The cebutante burst into bloom
on that day, the old homesteads were
thrcwn open, and the social world,
like the huge family, met to ex-
change greetings and good cheer.
On New Years day the observance
in Washington takes on the form of
diplomatic and political observances,
when conYeyances from all over the
city start moving toward. the White
House for their occupants to pay their
respects to the president and other
dignitaries of our government.
When the general custom of cele-
brating the first OF the year by the
parading of New Year clubs in tam
tastic costumes, and similar jollificA-
tions began, it is difficult to say, tho
it does not appear tC have antedated
the Girl war. AS for shooting in the
New Year, that seems TO have been
the custom--an strikingly so in
Philadelphia. ever since the reyolu-
tion.
When John Adams moved into the
White House it was so incomplete
that there was very little attempt to
observe New Years day at the man
sion, nor in fact any other elaborate
social affair. The celebration, as now
observed, began with the administra-
tion of President Jefferson On New
Years day in 1903 it is noted ssOn Sat
urday, New Years day, the president
was waited upon by Diplomatic char
acters, the officials of the government,
members of the legislature, and the
citizens generally. There were also
present a large number Of ladies. . In
1904 the report contains the informa-
tion that 'the affair was rendered
more agreeable by the accompaniment
of the Marine and Italian bands.
At this second Jefferson reception
s'some time after the company had
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 evolutions in a
mastery manner, fired sixteen rounds
in platoons, and concluded with
general 'feu-de-joie.' y
Naturally, with Dolly Madison as
hostess, the New Year receptions dur
ing her husbands administration
were brilliant, and at the last one,
prior to the burning Of the mansion.
a guest wrote as follows: Nothing
ever was witnessed in Washington SO
brilliant and DAZZLING
Every president since then has
celebrated the dawn of the new year
as an occasion for diplomatic courte-
sizes, as well as an opportunity to give
the public chance to visit the
White House and shake hands with
the president.