Lord John Russell returned the following answer to the Taunton
address, which was presented to him by Sir Thomas Lethbridge and other gentlemen, at the residence of the Reverend Sidney Smith, at Coombe Flora, last week.
" Gentlemen-1 beg to return you, in the name of my colleagues as well as in my own, our warmest thanks for this mark of your approbation and regard. " The support and confidence of the country, which are at all times necessary for the successful administration of affairs, were at no time more required than at the moment when Lord Melbourne was recalled to the service of the Crown. "That confidence and support have been, I am prend to acknowledge, gene. randy and largely given to the present advisers of the King. " It has been our endeavour to combine the progress of useful and practical reform with the maintenance of our institutions, the continuance of tranquillity at home, and the preservation of peace abroad ; nor do I see any cause for hesi- tation, far less fur despondency, in the prosecution of that endeavour : no au- thority, however veuerab!e, no power, however established, can long resist among us the force of public opinion, when enlightened by discussion and matured by-deliberation.
" I trust that the provisions of the act which has just passed for regulating Municipal Corporations, will lay the foundation of many improvetnente in the management of corporate funds, the administration of justice, in the maintenance of order ; abase all, it has the merit of substituting popular representation for self election in the government of our towns. It is a change of which the con- sequences will be felt extensively by the present age, and remotely by posterity." It is the intention of the Reformers of Barnstaple to invite Lord John Russell to a public dinner during his stay at Endsleigh. An, nouncement will be made as soon as the arrangements are completed. From the popularity of the noble lord, and the number of country gentlemen now in the neighbourhood, we anticipate that the occasion will be one of the most interesting that has ever been known here.— North Devon Journal.
The West Bromwich Political Union has commenced active opera- tions for the purpose of supporting the House of Commons in their endeavours to carryout the principles of the Reform Bill, and to obtain such a reform of the House of Lords us shall insure the success of those liberal measures which are necessary to give happiness and pros- perity to the nation at large.—Birmingham Journal.
Three hundred Liberals of Coventry gave their Member, Mr. Wil- liam Williams, a dinner on Monday. Mr. Williams appears to have given satisfaction to his constituents; and they would be unreasonable were they dissatisfied, as Mr. Williams's vote on the side of Reform has never been withheld on any question of moment since he has had a seat in the House of Commons.
The Tories have again, for their own purposes, circulated a rumour that it is the intention of Mr. Sanford to resign the representation of West Somerset. They have regularly issued the same report at the close of every session since that gentleman became a Member. We need scarcely give the most direct and unqualified denial to this mali- cious report. Mr. Sanford has entertained no intention whatever of resigning.— Sherborne Journal.
Previous page
