In the carousel scene, Holden returns home, which was his original objective in leaving Pencey in Chapter 1. Like Phoebe reaching for the brass ring, he has tried to make the transition into adulthood and failed - "fallen off" the carousel, so to speak, and has returned to the security of childhood to regroup, hopefully to try again another day. In describing his fear in watching Phoebe, he says, "the thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it...if they fall off, they fall off, but it's bad if you say anything to them" (Chapter 25). Holden is aware that growing up involves necessary risk.
The fact that Holden sits by the carousel but does not ride is significant because it shows that he can go back and enjoy the peace and security childhood offers for awhile, but that he is in reality no longer a child and can no longer participate in its rites. His tears may be tears of joy and relief at the respite his return offers, or they may be symbolic of renewal.
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