BELFAST ELECTION.

Evening Post, Issue 210, 10 October 1865, Page 3

BELFAST ELECTION.

Mr. Lyttle, Mayor of Belfast, having appointed the 12th July for the nomination of candidates, the ground about the Courthouse was occupied from 2or 3 o'clock in the morning by the lowest class of both factions, who were kept in order till the hour for the nomination arrived. We extract from the Times a description of what then ensued : — The scene that presented itself on the opening of the door at the Court-house wan the most extraordinary ever witnessed, even at the fiercest contests of the Irish in the south. The unwashed rabble were mostly young men of stunted growth, like the lowest class of factory workers. They rushed in with yells of triumph, each flourishing a bludgeon, or " skull cracker," not round, but square, except the handle — a dangerous weapon which had been concealed under their clothes outside the building. In they rushed with a treraenous noise like the roaring of a torrent at the opening of a floodgate. In a few minutes the place was packed as closely as human beings could stand. When no more could enter they set a guard on the door so that none of the other party might by any chance get in. The whole movement was directed by leaders, and persons on the platform repeatedly gave the word " mind the door." It is impossible to describe the tumult that was kept up by this mass, waving orange handkerchiefs, brandishing bludgeons, cheering, yelling, groaning, whistling stamping on the floor, beating the Kentish fire, laughing, hooting, grimly gesticulating, menacing Lord John Hay and his friends with personal violence, and threatening occasionally to mount the platform to carry their threats into execution. If an unfortunate Liberal, Presbyterian, or Catholic had fallen into their hands, his life would unquestionably have been sacrificed, Ibr the police could not get in to the rescue, and the Orangemen were absolutely frantic. It was a melancholy exhibition of humanity in the 19th ceutury. Yet it was in presence of this spectacle that the mayor, in the coolest manner possible, requested those "gentlemen," among whom there was not a single elector, to give the several candidates a "quiet and impartial hearing." They did hear him and the Conservative candidates, with their movers and seconders ; but not one sentence would they allow anybody, even the reporters, to hear from Lord John Hay. fcir H. Cairns remained 15 minutes beside him in an attitude of entreaty, imploring a hearing for him as a personal favour, but in vain. They seemed to be obeying the instructions they had received from their leaders, and endeavoured to convey to Sir Hugh that they understood him not to mean what he said, and that they were yelling and whistling in his interest. The Mayor having read the proclamation, the candidates were duly proposed, and Lord J. Hay rose to address the meeting, but for half-an-hour the groans, hisses, whistling, hooting, waving of orange handkerchiefs and bludgeons, and every other course to prevent his lordship from being heard, were beyond description. In half an-hour'f time he at last addressed them, but could not be heard, by those close to him, the tumult being kept up during the whole time, tie stated that he was determined to be heard, and that hewould go to the poll and contest the election to the last. --The mayor then demanded a show of hands, which was declared to be in favour of Sir H. Cairns and Mr. S. G. Getty, there not being a hand held up in the bofly of the hall for Lord John Hay. A poll was demanded in behalf of Lord John Hay. The proceedings commencjg, at 10 o'clock, and terminated a°

half-past 12.— Some house* had their windows broken, and there were some attempts at outrage during the day, but nothing serious occurred. When the 5 o'clock t-ain to Dublin reached Portadown, an Orange procession was passing through that town ; shots were occasionally fired, and fifes and drums were playing as if in a camp a A number of Belfast Orangemen went to Lioburne to celebrate the anniversary. The authorities took the most effective precautions in Belfnst to put down disturbances. There was a guard of constabulary in the Orange-hall and other public buildings liable to be worked by either party. The polling took place on July 14, and at its close, at 4 o'clock on that day, the numbers announced were— For Sir Hugh Cairns, 1818 ; Mr. Getty,;i723 { and Lord John Hay, 1081. The day passed over without aay •erious disturbances.