Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-08-07

Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journa
UAMDEh CAMP GROUNDS, Aug. 4.--Yes
terdsy was one OF the biggest days eVel
known on these historic old camp meet
ing grounds. In the first place, the at
tendance, numbering about 5000. was
unprecedently large; the religious fsrvol
knew no bounds and resulted in hAtter.
ing number OF converts; while the politi-
cal feature Of the camp exceeded any
thing of the kind ever dreamed OF, aud
was sufficient to marx the reddest kind OF
red-letter day in the history of the time
honorsd Old Camden camp.
The attendance was sufficient to give
both politics and religion show, so that
one did not flourish at the expense OF the
other. The religious events were largely
attended by earnest and sincere believers;
the political manipulstors, representing
leading politicians from all parts of the
county, lost not minute of the entire
busy day. Coming IS 1t did on the Sun
day preceding the Democratic primaries.
everybody at the camp WAS on the uui-
Viye to know what had been done or
what was likely to be done, and il the
politicalinterest more than evenly divided
time and attention with the religions
spirit, it was not that the latter did not
possess the required fervor and enthu-
siasm, but simply that depraved human
nature insisted on displaying more in.
tereat in the temporal political situation
than in the spiritual welfare OF the COM
munity.
II was the political aspect OF the
gathering that irst attracted the atten-
tion Of the GAzErTE's correspondent when
LIE arrived upon the grounds shortly at
ter noon. At the time a spirited ''testi-
mony nesting" WAS in progress under the
big tabernacle, to which fully 1000 PEG
pie were giving their earnest, undivided
attention. It was very successful, and a
half-dozsn full-hedged converts arose
from the altar before it was time 10 com.
mence the regular services of the after
noon. This event occupied tne attention
Of fully one-tourth of the camp attend
ants. Another fourth comprised the
ladies who, seated in the rows OF neat
looking and nicely-furnished tents
around the different circles received the
many friends who called upon them.
Another fourth comprised the ubiquitous
small boys and the merry girls, equally
determined upon having a good day of
camp. And the remaining fourth were
men on political thoughts intent. Demo-
Gratis they were generally, though nam
Der OF Republicans were on hand to keep
an eye upon the Democratic schemes that
were being engineered. Editor Henry
Cannon Of the Dover Sentinel moved his
stalwart form around, keenly watching
all the moves of the politicians, and the
Hon. N. B. Smithers, seated among a
ciEole Of friends in front of a tent, was
picturesque figure. Politics found no
lodgment in the mind Of Mr.. Smithers
however, and at the time he was observed
ne was engaged in earnestly leading q
discussion upon thu question OF holiness.
Beyond doubt the most prominent
person on the grounds was Mr.. Robert J..
Reynolds, who Is now engaged In his
canvass for the Democratic nomination
for governor. He was Rs nearly ubduit.
GUS as II is possible for q human being to
be, and no part of the camp grounds es.
capped his observation. Accompanied BY
John Greenlee faithful party worker
from Milford hundred, he patrolled the
camp, greeting friend and foe with equsl
urbAnity, and stopping whenever and
wherever there appeared any necessity to
apply few repairs to his political fences.
"Yes, am still in the fight,' he sad,
smilingly, to the GAzgrrE's cores
pendent, "and l xpeot to stay there
until the day Of the convention
Mr.. Reynolds spoke modestly Of his
prospects and said he felt reasonably sure
OF cleo ing in his interest ct lsast 40 Of
kents 81 delegates at next SATURDAYS
primaries. These 40 he enumerated az
four In Mispillion, four in Duck Oreek
10 in the two Aurterkils. five in West
Dover, five ia Little Creek, Ave in East
Dover, with few scattering vores e)ss.
where. BUt while expressing mis- conf
dence Mr.. L ynolds renewed his expres
sions of party fssity and his Intention TO
submit to the decision OF the convention
II do not claim 70 be bigger than ths
party" he ssid, "aud il the convention
in its wisdom decides TO give the noaiu4-
tion to some one else | will cheeriul.y
submit and do all in my power to eleet
the ticket named
But while Robert j. was moving around
so Driskly in the interest of his
political fortunes, there wsre others VINO
were equally 10 busy. ,Iohu 4. Sauls-
bury ''out of politics" as usual, was Keep.
ing weather eye on the situation and
carefully noting, from the DRIFT Of current
gossip, the e..ient Of tha opposition to
Reynolds. Tx Representative J1hn Fl.
Jonss of Dover converted cheeri!y with
his friends aud, naturally enough, dr,ft5d
into political discussion npou the sIightest
proyoceton He ia for any Cand data
but Reynolds, who in his ian opinion,
osnnot be elected II nominated. He feels
sure that the sentiment against tn pfo.
priety Of nominating Mr.. Reynolds il on
the increase throughout the county aud
ia morally certain that the REYNOLDS d4le-
gate ticket in the second diyaion OF East
Dover hundred will be defeated next SAL
uFday afternoon.
This East Dover hundred fight, by the
way, ia one OF the Interesting features OF
the situation and was tho object OF muBA
a1licitoua work during vest Tday al 90. o.
The camp grounds are within thre mica
Of Dover, and as lots of Dover voters
were present during tine day ard evening
there was plenty OF opportunity for mis-
sionary work. There are two voting prs
cincts in Dover, state street b,in2 the
dividing line. The First district, lying
east Of State street contains tue SIN liter
number of voters, and the county
committee apportioned to this district
three OF the eight delegates to which
the hundred Is entitled, giving Ave
delegates to the second district, com
prtHing the populace part Of Dover To-
Gated west Of state street. 1t is IN The
Second district that the big fight viii
come Oh next Saturday. II has always
been strongly Salisbury in its sninQs
but the RsynoldE men felt bopeiul ot
carrying 1t this time, particularly AZ tbs
Saulsbury's, ~ to last week, gave no in
timStion that they intended TO make a
fiRht The Reynolds delegate ticket Is com.
posed of Jos Mcdaniel John KERN, john
Dennis, h. o. EcEles and u. Al Ridgeley.
1t il called Peouewill ticket, md 10
presumably in the interest OF OK State
t5enAtoT o. B Ilennawil q Dover ~.