Cork is preparing for the election rendered necessary by Mr.
Parnell's death, and the factions which are contending for the seat are at open war. The priesthood, and probably a majority of voters, are with the Clericals, but the populace— whom Radicals ought to reverence—are on the other side. They threaten one another with blackthorns and paving- stones ; in every open-air meeting violence is only prevented by the armed police ; and there is serious danger that the leaders on both sides may be injured for life, or even killed, in some street-row. Mr. Dillon and Mr. O'Brien are practically under police-protection, and the former has already been struck with a heavy stick. Mr. John O'Connor has exerted himself to protect his Clerical opponents, but it is clear that without the detested Imperial Government, Cork would be delivered up to a civil war, to be fought out by two factions, both Home-rulers, both Catholic, and both anti-English. In fact, Cork is a repre- sentation in little of the scene all South Ireland would present if Home-rule were conceded. The Parnellite candidate is Mr. John Redmond, the Clerical candidate is Mr. Martin Flavin, and Captain Sarsfield, as Unionist candidate, hopes to slip in between them, or at least to prevent Unionists from disgracing themselves by voting for either side.
