IRELAND.
The contest at Carlow began yesterday week on the part of the Tenant- Leaguers and Religious-Equality men. A deputation, among whom were Mr. Frederick Lucas M.P., Dr. Kearney, and the Reverend Thomas O'Shea, of Callan, went to Carlow on that day. Their efforts to get up a popular feeling against Mr. Sadleir, however, not only failed, but recoiled upon themselves. Such was the uproar and the menacing aspect of the mob, that the deputation took the first train back again to Dublin. Fa- ther Maher, the most influential among the Carlow priests, was seen in Dublin on Saturday : report says that he had an interview with a mem- ber of the Irish Government, and that he returned to Carlow determined to support Mr. Sadleir.
The election has taken place this week. Mr. Sadleir was opposed by Mr. Alexander, a" Carlow boy," as he described himself on the hustings. Mr. Alexander was supported by the whole Tory strength of the borough. The nomination, on Monday, was one long scene of uproar. Neither party would quietly hear the other. Mr. Sadleir denied that he had vio- lated any pledges.
He belonged to the Liberal party. ("Not now.") He intimated that an " honester broader, and bolder" franchise would be extended to Ireland. He declared that he was, and had always been, an advocate for the emanci- pation of the tenant from feudal thraldom. He said the Liberal party ought to stand between a Derby Government and the people of Ireland. Lord Aberdeen's Government contained all the elements of the Reformed and Libe- ral portion of the empire. ("How can you join with Lord John Russell ? ") Why, he had "willingly accepted from Lord John Russell a political refu- tation (?) of the course he had taken with respect to the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, which that distinguished nobleman had the manliness to proffer." The leaders of the present Government were those who had been most prominent in resisting the Ecclesiastical Titles Act. They were not a sectarian Go- vernment.
Mr. Alexander appealed to the confidence of the electors on the ground of his excellent character as a landlord and friend of the poor.
The show of hands was barely decided in favour of Mr. Sadleir. The poll was taken on Wednesday when the numbers were—Alexander 97, Sadleir 91. This was an unlooked-for defeat. Even the Freeman's Journal had prophesied that Mr. Sadleir would be returned by a majority of four.
Mr. Villiers Stuart, the brother of Lord Stuart de Decies, has been ap- pointed Under-Secretary for Ireland. He sat some years for the county of Waterford ; having defeated Lord George Beresford in 1826. [The Dublin _Daily _Express contradicts this; upon what authority does not appear.] A truly Irish crime has been perpetrated at Crevelea, in the county of Sligo. Iron-works have been established there by a Scotch company ; and Mr. Buchan, the manager, at his own expense, erected a neat little chum]] for the use of the Protestants employed at the works. It is said that the build- ing had become offensive to a neighbouring Roman Catholic priest, because some of his congregation had attended the services held in it. So the tale runs, and it may be untrue ; but there is no doubt about this fact—the little church was set on fire during the night, and burnt to the ground. It was intended to destroy other buildings adjacent, for next day a coal was found in a thatch, but it had not taken effect.
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