And as was the nomination, so was the polling. Plenty
of threats had been circulated by the Fenians against those who should dare to support Mr. Heron, so that, as we have pointed out elsewhere, more than two-thirds of the ordinary number of votes were never given at all. O'Donovan Rossa was carried by a majority of 102, the poll showing 1,030 for Mr. Heron, 1,132 for the Fenian convict. Of course, the election as regards O'Donovan is void. And Mr. Heron will be entitled to take his seat, if he chooses to do so under the circumstances. The election of the Fenian was, of course, only intended as an insult to the Government,—a mode of showing the fear and hatred which a policy of justice and con- ciliation for Ireland creates in Fenian breasts. Unfortunately, it shows also how few of the tenant-farmers of Tipperary dare to call their souls their own when the brotherhood claims them. If the brotherhood served them on their death-beds with notice not to go to Heaven, but in the other direction, it seems doubtful if they would venture to disobey.
