New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-15
POLITICAL.
RETURN.DAY IN DELAWARE.
Correspondence Of The n. Y Tribune.
GyoRcETowy Del Nov IN 1854

fstbolic countries and festivals anniversaries and
,sa-dsys, invested with interest, are celebrated in
nearly all regions with distinctive features to give
character the display in each locality; but of
shese commemorative occasions, probably, are more
sminently marked with peculiar cast than is Return
DAY" in old Sussex. With impress strongly char
scerstic, il derives its note from the multitude
assembled and the many incidents Of an heterogeneous
crowd in which nearly every element of population
mingles. Known only here, il has become an institu
lion of the county, and almost inseparaby connected
with its history it is essentially the big day, and cam
not be Appropriated, in point of interest for numbers
and notoriety, by any other. day redundant with
recuharites, it is, in it's nature and everattendan
results, sal geaers and odd is the that one
who for the first time witnesses it does not fail to be
sensibly struck with its novelty and singularity.
Deriving its distinction at time when all the voters
Of the county required to come to Georgetown
exercise their right of suffrage it has not lost its dis
finguishing marks The polls were opened on Tuesday,
and the voting continued through TO Wednesday, and
an Thursday the result was announced to the congre
gated multitude of all ages coors and sexes who had
nsde their pilgrimage to the shire town TO learn the
intelligence, and to have merry-making and good
time generally; and, though the county subse-
queniy distrcted, and votingplace provided in each
ebviated the force of habit great that the prao
tise of coming TO the town the Thursday following
the election was still continued, with all the pristine
manners then in vogue, and with the successful
efforts at jolity. The unique and original pictures
which were presented forcbly to the minds eye in
those days are bennaly reproduced in this town, with
nIl their former strength of coloring The times
primitive and on this day yet may be observed evil
Sences of that quality, and representatives of those
occasions when full license allowed every one to
do as he pleased with the proviso that his ucnations
did not prompt him 10 do wrong. "Return-Day' now,
ttin celebrated with ts wonted gayety and oldtime
freedom from conventionaGy is memoralof the past,
when certain abandon manifested by votaries in
abe pursuit of innocent enjoyments. Ii is Of the
old customs that has been retained and that is likely 10
be perpetusted in consideration of that constitution of
sbe human mind which regards pleasure essential
requirement Of the being, and of adherence the
yemembrances Of the long ago.
Vague ideas Of delights unbounded fit across the
mind az the day approaches visions of satisfying
5oyents present themselves to the excited irnagina
ton: the ancpatOns of the juvenile class indie
hnitely extensive while children Of older growth
do not look upon the affair with indifference.
The relation of days events will answer for
another accordingly the of the scenes enacted
ON last Thursday viii give the reader general i'm
precision Of occurrences. At early Of the day
an which Georgetown is TO become the Mecca of
athens from every section of the country, persons be-
En 70 invade the town: every available means Of pro-
sresion lie employed-from the forests, farms and
.-vnsses there is an neutrality-suspicious. men on
horseback, and in carriages, women and children in
wagons and Carts furnished with provender for their
animals pour n-horses mules oxen, and vehicles of
ell kinds obstruct the streets and sidewalks the hotels
are crowded to repeton and with the restaurants do
Arriving business In front of the Court-House, and
sround the Enclosure about that building lnd about the
public square and along one street especially-show-
ing disposition for Capitalization, ranged tenn
Eorary stalls for the sale of nearly every conceivable
article in the gastonomc line; everything to act as
provocative of appetite, is exposed from baked pos
sum 10 pumpkin, and pot pies; one will find upon the
tables, pies pickles, preserves, and pone bread cakes
candies and crabapple cider soda water stewed Oys
aers and strychnne whisky; moassescandy and meats
uultitudinous boiled broiled, and baked, and deect
able deieaces generally Brandies wines and liquors
ri all grades of adueratiOn, SALE in any guam
tity required. Pictures, toys and other objects to
please the infantile fancy abound.
The sable element Of the populaee in great numbers,
sccupy one side Of the street. with their edible
sAandise mpartng rather somber aspect TO the
scene but showing their worries and hearty appreca
lion Of the occasion. The crowd by O'Clock becomes
compact so much 30 that can scarcely take upon
himself the nature of wedge sufficiently to penetrate
IT. The picture is rather a pleasing one the scene
novel and unique tits panorama shifting, and pre-
ssntiDg new views of interest; the eye does
not tire; il is motley assemblage and is
siways moving; it is not in its nature to remain sta
eionary for a moment; that should mingle in the
crowd with the view of taking observations, would
End much to employ bis pen. The children show a
foudness for the gm-crack and confectionery depart
auent, which receives their loose pennies and
around exhibiting their purchases admring group
of little ones. Here woman may be seen with a
huse sheet of gingerbread under her arm, almost
large as bed blanket, while there another one is
happy in the possession of cotton handkerchief filled
with candies; feasting is proceeding industriousy.
Babies are not excluded from a participation in the
scenes for, every few rods is noticed in the
Of its father or mother with lie little ewes dilaed TO
abe utmost in amaze at the novelty Of its surround
slngs. Here observes knot of politicians discuss
my the merits of the successful candidates. and show
ing the efforts made in their behalf in order to the
Union there another group are rendering congratula-
lions TO the other, the result while in another
place come are cOndohng with each other upon their
defeat, and proferng sympahies. Many Of the lead
ing partzans present TO compare notes while the
successful asprants almost invariably on the
ground and receive tokens of distinctions the newly
elected Governor and Representatives generally on
hand if their place of residence is not too remote,
and are the recipients of administrative ovation some
2;mes making triumpha entry into the town.
Directing ones steps 10 the grounds occupied by the