The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-11 00:00:00

DINNER TO SIR :T. RATCLIFF. F.S.A.,
MAYOR OF BIRMINGHAM.

It is not often that we feel so great an interest
in the election of the chief magistrate of our pro-

vincial boroughs as that which recently has oc-
curred in the important town of Birmingham. The
election of Sir John Ratcliff to the office of Mayor
for the third year in succession speaks more than
the most eulogistic language that we could pen.
His years of office have been attended with the
greatest benefit to the borough. His ability and

energy manifested itself upon his election to office

in the first instance, and none of his numerous

friends have been disappointed by the marked in-
dication of his desire to promote the interests of

his native town.
In order to mark.the event a banquet was given
by the corporation, on Tuesday evening, to Sir
John, who had that day been elected Mayor of
Birmingham for the third time.
After the usual loyal and complementary toasts
had been disposed of—
The CHAIRMAN (Alderman Hawkes), having taken
care that a bumper was filled, said he had to call upon
them to drain it to the health of Sir John Ratcliff,
Mayor of Birmingham ; though if he had not been
that night Mayor of Birmingham, the same assem-
blage would have taken place, and the same feelings
of respect and gratitute to him been displayed.
(Cheers.) It was indeed a great privilege for them
to be able to invite the head of the municipality
as their guest after two years' service, and to say
to him—" Thou hast done well ; thou hast elevated
the character of old Birmingham; and we invest
thee for another year with the same power and the
same dignities, and wish God speed to your efforts
to promote the interests of your native town."
(Cheers.) All of them rejoiced when Mr. John
Ratcliff came into the Corporation. He did not
wait to be pitchforked into it as an alderman ;
but coming in as a plain councillor, he applied
himself to its work, had his merits recognised, and
was soon elevated to .the position of an alderman.
As to what he had done since then, was it
not written in the debate of the day ?—how
from being a_ sort of Bozetia, had by
'degrees been raised to that point when tlic pros-
.pect of a visit from the Queen came upon Btumma-
gem citizens as startling as did the comet upon
astronomers—and when the greatest sovereign in
the world, revolving round their worthy mayor for
a time, shed upon. him rays of lustre which would
adorn him and the town for many a long year to
come. (Cheers.) Coming to that very 9th of
Nov., 1858, they found the most rigid economist and
the most extravagant members of the Council unit-
ing in declaring that, however they might differ in
opinion as to the method in which Birmingham
,should be governed, yet when they found one of
their number honestly willing to take upon him-
self the duty of upholding the dignity and honour
of Birmingham, they, found themselves ready to
unite in allowing him to do for three years what
he had done for two. (Cheers.) The Town
Council having been pleased to lay upon the Mayor
the. same duties for another year, all would no
' doubt join in the hope that, health and prosperity
would attend him, and that the sons and grandsons
of the present race of burgesses -would remember
that in John Ratcliff they had one who had added
lustre to the name of good old Brummagem.
The health of the Mayor (Sir John Ratcliff) was
drank most enthusiastically.
The MAYOR, who rose amidst loud cheers, said
that though they had heard his voice a good deal
that day, he could not refrain from acknowledging
emphatically the honour they had done him in meet-
ing so numerously, and in listening so kindly to
what the chairman had been pleased to say of his
services. The esteem and approbation of such a
meeting as that was the highest to which he could
aspire, for none knew better than the Council how
far he was entitled to the confidence reposed
in him. (Cheers.) And when he saw around
him those who had elected him for the third
time to the high and proud position of Chief Magis-
trate of one of the greatest towns in the kingdom,
it only made him feel more strongly what he had
always felt, that not only was he prepared to sacri-
fice whatever amount of money might be required
to uphold and promote the dignity of his native
town, but that if his life were required, he would
cheerfully lay it down for the welfare and glory of
Birmingham. (Loud cheers.) If there was one
thing he desired more than another and
which he held dear upon earth—that thing was
the prospority and well-being of his native
town. (Cheers.) Much had been said that day
about the entertainment he had given, but he was
ready to declare that to his knowledge none had
been given for his own glory or his own aggran-
disement. (Cheers.) No one thing he had done
was done for the purpose of elevating himself.
(Hear.) He had nothing to gain by any such course.
He had (rained all he could reasonably require. He
iotame& iortunaee In ousiness ; lie nun sumerent
'for the future ; he could have left the town to live
far away from the smoke and turmoil of city. life.
(Hear, hear.) But no. On that soil he had spent
the best part of his life ; on it he wished to pass
the remainder of his existence ; on it he wished to
do all the good that his energies and means enabled
him to do • and on it, with the assistance of
the Counci, it Was .his wish to do all that in
him lay towards securing for the town the
position which sp large and wealthy a com-
munity ought to enjoy. (Great applause.)
In resuming the important duties of chief magis-
trate for the third year, the council and the town
at large might have every confidence that his utmost
energies would be exercised in promoting the wel-
fare and interests of a town which had so greatly
distinguished itself upon the gracious visit of her
Majesty the Queen, and which held so proud a
position amongst the great commercial emporiums
of the world. When his present term of office
expired, he trusted he should continue to merit the
approbation of his fellow-townsmen, which was to
him the greatest honour that could be attained.
Having again thanked the company for the flatter-
ing manner in which his health had been received,
the honourable gentleman resumed his seat amidst
loud cheering.
Several other complimentary toasts followed, and
the company separated after the enjoyment of a
most agreeable evening.

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