IRELAND.
There has been a sharp contest for the seat at Cavan, vacated by the appointment of Sir John Young to the Viceroyship of the Ionian Islands. The candidates were Mr. Hughes, a Whig, carrying with him the sup- port of the populace and the priests; and Mr. Burrowes, a professed Derbyite, who was backed by the whole power of the landlords. The consequence was that the election afforded the usual incidents of severe contest in Ireland—landlord intimidation on one side, and mob intimi- dation on the other. The nomination took place on Saturday ; the elec- tion on Tuesday and Wednesday. Voters were stopped by mobs on their way to the poll ; and the police with fixed bayonets were forced to open a passage for them. On the other hand, agents and landlords escorted tenant voters to the poll. The game was ultimately won by the Derbyite; who headed the poll by a considerable majority. This result is regarded as a great triumph by the Derbyites.
There are now three candidates for Cork ; Mr. M'Cartby, Mr. Deasy, and Lord Ennismore.
The Earl of Carlisle made a public entry into Dublin on Wednesday, with all the display customary on these occasions.
Lord Lucan has met with honour in his own country. A deputation recently waited on him at his residence, Castlebar House, and congmtu- latedlim on his safe return. In acknowledging the compliments of his friends, he
said- " I thank you for your too flattering address. I appreciate the more fully the sympathy you so kindly express for the great injustice of which I have been the victim, from the knowledge that your sympathy is not undeserved, as my conscience tells me that during the time that I had the command of the cavalry of our country in the field, my conduct was faultless, and their character and honour:did not suffer."
A remarkable change has taken place in the feelings with which the Irish emigration to America is viewed by the Roman Catholic priests. In spite of the "Know-nothing" demonstration, the " exodus " still con- tinues, and there is an evident wish in Ireland to stay it. With this in- tent, " John Archbishop of Tuam" has published a letter noting the re- currence of emigration to " the so-called land of freedom" with regret. " The progress of exhaustion was so rapid and so intense during the last seven years as to leave the old country a wilderness ; but, even of the few who have remained, a great many are yet intent upon emigration. Of the extent of the depopulation which has taken place, some estimate may be formed by the present high wages farmers are compelled to pay for labourers during the present spring. In this town and the vicinity, where before now men could be got to work for from 8d. to Is. a day, the price ranges now from Is. to Is. 6d. This, in itself, is a fact which shows both how the country is thinned of its population and to what an extreme the system of eviction was carried on. No matter, however ; we wish we could arrest the process of emigration, which, though diminished in extent in proportion to the awful exhaustion which has taken place during the famine, is still going on in the West. While the Irish Catholic race was treated with kindness in America we never uttered a word of remonstrance or warning; but, now that all parties agree in complaining of the dreadful persecutions which await them from all the powers of Know-nothingism' in the hitherto boasted land of liberty, we feel it our imperative duty to raise our voice in protest and reclamation. Bad as home is, and cold as is the prospect that awaits our people under a system of laws that obstinately refuse security for tenant industry, it is better to remain and battle with the ills they know than fly to others of a more revolting kind. A quiet death in the old land of the saints, with the aid of religious consolation in that awful hour, is better than contact with the awful demoralization and almost total absence of re- ligious comforts which await the emigrant beyond the Atlantic."
Four gentlemen perished in Lough Gowns last week. Mr. John Dopping invited the officers of the Longford Rifles to take a day's sail in his yacht. All went well during the day ; in the evening the party were about to land at Derrycassen; a small row-boat was used for the purpose. Unfortunately, too many persons crowded into it, the boat upset, and all were plunged into the water. Some were got out alive; but Mr. Dopping, Captain White, Lieutenant Fox, and Lieutenant Irwin, were drowned.
Previous page
