The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-23

e1ssed ID tenant right. In all these the land.
lords have candidates and the tenants have oppos
ing candidates. The whole force oflandord power
Is being exerted to secure their men and perpetu-
ate their system. On the other hand the tenants
undoubtedly feel keenly. In their hearts they de-
sire most ardenty the success Of the tenant right
ers; but whether they will have the courage to ex-
press their opinions by voting for the men
who represent these opinions Is what would noe
venture to pronounce Judgment upon. In this res
spect, however, the present election Is by far the
most important which has taken place for genera
tons in the North or Ireland. The farmers may
trust in the secrecy OF the ballot; they may return
their chosen representatives by decisive MAORI
ties; and II they do, whatever may be the con-
servative majority returned in England, the
results OF the North OF Ireland contests will give
most powerful Impetus to land reform, not only IN
ireland but in the United Kingdom.
AT THE MANCHESTER THE NORTH.
In Belfast, as have said the home rulers did
NOT put forward a candidate. They, so far a. they
TOOK any part In the election, supported the lib
eral candidate. Yet this genteman-Nr. Thomas
McCiure-who has sat for i've years as the repre-
sentative OF Belfast In tue House OF Commons has
been on the present occasion defeated BY a major
lty OF more than two to one. The result surprised
both liberals and conservatives 1t was wholly un-
CAPCSeCo, onu many SApiouutlOuS nave Deen R1Ven
OF it; but from what have been able TO hear
even liberal Presbyteriaus became frightened by
the no-Popery and home rule puebears. They
do not like home rule They have a
modest tmOrous and not very tolerant
horror of what they call POpery, and believing or
fearing that the liberal candidate was allied with
both, they voted, even against their cherished po-
litical convictions, for the two candidates.
Messrs. Johnston and Corry-who proclaimed
compromising hostility TO both home rule and
Popery. But, though Belfast he lost, say the lib.
erals, we have gained Coleraine and DungannOn.
And, considering that these two towns have been
represented by tory members for o time almost be.
yond the memory OF men-beyond the memory, at
least, of any ordinary mortal-it must be confessed
that the liberals in this have some reason 10 pride
themselves.
SENTIMENT AT THE SOUTH
Turning to the South again, as have already
said, there is there no really disturbing element IN
the political waters. The question IL home rule
or no home rule. IL Is plainly put, and . direct
and plain answer has been requested. 1t is, Of
course, too soon yet to form decisive Judgment
on the relative strength on members OF the home
rule vote. Many elections have yet to be de-
cided where the home rule question Is the
sole subject Of consideration. But 1t is to be
noted-and speak as an impartial observer, en-
deavOring TO weigh the matter fairy-that, while
the home rulers here, up to the present, have re-
turned twenty-siX members, they have scarcely re-
turned one without contest, and In no instance
where there was a contest was the home rule car
didate returned by what can be called command
ing majority.
In Limerick city Mr.. Butt and Mr.. o'shauqhnessy.
working together on che same platform, were
turned at the head OF the poll but not far ahead
as might have been expected in the case OF the
father OF home rule There were five candidates.
Mr.. Butt had $50 votes; Mr.. O'Shaugnnessy, 84s |;
but next to him comes cOnservative-Mr.
Speight-wth 5S7 votes; next came q liberal, with
only 291 votes. An6s indeed. here, as In Other
places, the liberals have suffered more from the
home rulers than the conservatives. In Ennis the
home rule candidate was defeated-by very mar
row majority, 1t is true, but still he was defeated.
In Athlone It Is not yet sure that Mr.. Shlei, the
home ruler, Will be in. 1t was tie between him
and the liberal candidate, and the question IL yet
to be decided as to who will get the seat. II Is
well to note these things in tha the first electoral
contest in which home rule has been the promi-
nent and testing question.
The elections have been, on the whole,
QUIETLY CONDUCTED.
In Limerick county there have been some seri.
Gus riots, and one man was shot dead. But other
wise there has been no serious disturbance. may
resume the subject when the elections have con-
cluded. and when there will be better materials
tor forming q judgment; but at present am
bound to incline to the belief that the home rule
agitation has not taken hold OF the minds Of the
southern portion OF Ireland-nOt to speak Of the
national mind-with that passionate zeal which
But let US not dogmatize Many elections are yet
to come, and when these are concluded We shall
have much better and fuller materials 1os forming
q Judgment s.t ---.f