The Sun.
London, England, 1835-11-11 00:00:00

BRISTOL.

GRAND DINNER TO LORD JOHN

RUSSELL.

Bristol, during the whole of yesterday (Tuesday),
Preseetcxl a most lively and animated appearance. The
(1401 r demand. for tickets, and the instantaneous sale of the
t _ issue, prevented a great many supporters of the pre-
rt Ministry from attending the dinner ; but each class of
the inhabitants appeared to vie with the other in demon-
ttmg their attachment to those principles which Lord
_lra Russell has so long advocated, and in evincing their
earnest desire to do honour to their distinguished visitor.
The
vessels in the harbour hoisted their different colours ;
salutes were fired from time to time during the day,
end, as the hour of his Lordship's arrival drew near,
llPs of people assembled in the different streets through
which his carriage was expected to pass. At about three
e lock his Lordship entered the town, having proceeded
r e,noto the Marquis of Lansdowne's seat at Bowood in a
carriage, accompanied, as we understood, by Lord
The hour
Mr. Thomas Moore, and the Earl of Kerry.
five hour fixed for the commencement of the dinner was
o'clock ; but long before that period the large room of
grePloucester Hotel, at Clifton (which had been engagad
Procured
Purpose, as the largest apartment which could be
wrecured near Bristol) was crowded. Covers were laid for
tlll/Wards of 400 persons, and if a larger number could have
ee llaecommodated, the constant and unavailing demand
foi
tickets leaves no doubt that a much more extensive
t,...t°°.41..w0u1d have been equally filled. The apartment was
thally decorated with artificial flowers at one end. Over
e chair was placed a handsome star, with the initial " R."
tae Centre ; and at the other a transparency representing
Fie bearing a crown of laurel. The whole of the ar-
"Valetas were on the most extensive and liberal scale,
IN in
every respect adapted to the occasion. His Lord-
an entering the room, was reeeived with the same en-
171taatic and deafening cheering which had followed his
peels to Clifton. He looked extremely well, and ap-
table". highly gratified with his reception. At the principal
of We observed Lord Ebrington, Lord Seagrove, the Earl
errYs Lord Andover, Thomas Moore, Esq., &c. &c.
G s ith , Esq., presided ; on his right sat Lord John
e, and on his left Lord Seagrove.
iti",P cloth having been removed, and Non nobis Domine
k 4., the following toasts were given from the Chair
The King."—(Loud cheers.)
The Queen."—(Cheers.)
The Heiress Presumptive to the Throne."—(Tremen-
-4: cheering and waving of handkerchiefs.)
The Duke of Sussex."—(Three times three, and tre-
end
',ea& cheering.)
he handsome silver epergne which had been purchased
r at%scri • .
ptrons of sixpence each, to be presented to Lord
and Placed
was then borne up the centre of the room,
""qplaced on the principal table amidst loud cheers.
The CHAIRMAN, in announcing Mr. Bligh and a deputa-
-4-47; Of the Plate Committee, said that the time had now
0,;/ed. when it was deemed most convenient to carry into
le:cation the primary object of their meeting, viz., the pre-
th.ttion by the Reformers of Bristol of a piece of plate to
Noble Lord who sat upon his right hand.—(Great
713 The thousands in that city who professed Libe-
ttprmeiples, and had adhered to them through many dis-
Cragements and disadvantages, felt how they had long
Ztt Misunderstood and misrepresented.—(Cheers.) They
a 7.7 desired to be heard from their own lips, and that those
,i;rtabled should have an opportunity of judging for them-
les of their real sentiments and desires.—(Loud cheers.)
ti.er• lih then read the following address, which was
,IlLeatlßy interrupted by great cheering. :
sr,. I'lY Lord,—lt is with heartfelt satisfaction that we now
Je'Y th h
tha, e 9nour of presenting to your Lordship in person
yo,.' testimonial of high admiration and grateful sense of
of !m Public conduct and political consistency,' which many
ue friends of reform in this city and its neighbourhood
kye united to prepare, and which they have with full con-
feoll inscribed to you, as 'the enlightened, persevering, and
at ''ess advocate of civil and religious liberty,'—( Cheers)—
or 'knee, the 'Minister of the Crown and the representative
he People.'—(Cheers.) We wish we could have executed
gee ternmrssion in presence of the thousands who would, we
h, confident, have ardently anticipated in the sentiments
youlch we express; but, in behalf of all, we now place before
~.41; Lordship the offering of their honour and their gratitude
f eir gratitude for your numerous and important services
k°e tae welfare of our country, their honour for the zeal and
ts.,,,lrastness, the candour and decision, the moderation and
I,tis.,lglitness; which have marked your course—the prospective
*trim which it has displayed—and the comprehensive views
ttaite have guided it, as to the respective rights and the mu-
, „relations of all parts of our national community.
st4t,Pertnit us now, my Lord, to express in some detail those
to ,_llflents which crowd into our minds on this interesting, and
1ti.45 unprecedented occasion, when the Reformers of Bristol,
glnatized as they have been by unmerited obloquy, are h0,.4:eul
,.4:eul by the presence of a distinguished Minister of the
wo, who has so recently declare& that he stands ' pledged
io,,tite Constitution of the country in all its branches, by feel-
t, by opinion, and by duty.'—(Cheers.) We too, my Lord,
4e earnestly attached to the great and essential principles of
the Constitution. We may differ among ourselves as to the
oils by which they are to be rendered most efficient for the
4„t.lltaon welfare but we are all desirous to avoid that public
tration which the Reform in our representative system, in
tienrpexion with the ordinary means of free discussion, is re.n-
-,i ing unnecessary ; and which would interrupt the prosperity
Re all commercial, anti the comfort of our social relations :
;Nall are solicitous to promote the spirit of co-operation in the
tposa,t Practical purposes of national improvement: we all are
at.' earnest to throw no obstacles in the way of an Adminis-
-60,1611 Which we confide in; firmly believing that Lord Mel-
sfisrne and his patriotic colleagues are honestly determined to
pii!t due se purposes as speedily as they are able, consistently
cl,l e regard to general tranquillity and security, to the fair
of th e of opposing opinions, and to the permanent efficiency
thei measures by which they seek to promote the welfare of
J.?elintry.—(Cheers.)
a,us, my Lor, though in a humble sphere,
0,14' stru
incides oggled, even longerd than yourself, against opinions
Ftqf administration which are no lodger popular ;
fr,rrnost of us, while confident as to the final result, looked
clardi without any hope, that she principles which we re-
li•stoi7l as of paramount importance to the general welfare,
ty tiu, in our own day, be recognised by the Legislature, and.
afia.le :Ministers of the Crown, as those on which our public
1114'4 Were henceforwards to be conducted. Yet now we see
tr)oil recognized, the principle of reform in all that has be-
isotie injurious and obsolete, for the preservation and improve-
ocio ti Of all that deserves to be p ermanent—the principle of
rerrrd to the rights and welfare of all parts of our own
pti enalbaeommunity—the principle of peace and equity in all
te," jelations with the other nations of the world. With in-
l. of interest we observe the rapid progress, and even ge-
tl;kftileption, of these principles ; and it is with earnest
uhiess that we review the persevering exertions by
lik en, through difficulties, and under discouragements, that
Le: others, we mav nut have fully appreciated, they have now
treht).rri,c established and paramount. With that wisdom, in-
and steadfastness of purpose which mark the
t 054 of Lord Melbourne's Administration—(Cheers)—a
fs.or,le which both falls in with the judgment of the people, and
lest to give a right direction to it—we have no fear
the
a second attempt, if made, should be more successful than
of Palt has been, to regain ascendancy for a system
,Fciverninent that suits not the age in which we live, or to
~rcit to other hands the direction of measures which those
far` who have planned and laboured to effect them, ought to
osolY to their accomplishment, and which they only can ac-
N,
representatives,
in their true spirit and purpose.—( Cheers.) Through
supported by the voice of the people, such
'444ttemPt, it made, must again be defeated ; and among
Art r-constituencies, my Lord, the Reformers of Bristol have
fs, been backward to prepare for such an emergency. Union
qt,,,,nlmon objects, and the relinquishment of all separating
th,''tions, will form our motto, and will be the motto of all
iiikrlßhout the kingdom who seek reform in order to preserve
,ito.renoVate.—(Aiplaiise.)
Of the
has been, my Lord, one of the most cheering features
Nt'e Present eventful period, that enlightened and disinte-
sk:tl statesmen, who, with little support, had laboured in the
ts 4 of civil and religious liberty, under obloquy, and with
%igt„llcesi which were caused only by their high-minded con-
iU t`orlqY and sense of public duty, should at last have been called
lats make that cause triumphant, and to carry its requirements
Ist" effectual operation.—(Applause.) We are not unmind-
rii,:ti others who deserve our gratitude and our honour ; yet
tiswe congratulate your Lordship, that services so dis-
ltis47\tshed and important have been intrusted to you.—( Hear,
4t," We cannot lose sight of the connexion which, in r,'..st
witli'ttLne name of Russell—(Tremendous applause)—has had
440 "e elevated purposes of true patriotism ; ar,i we per-
stNi with delight, that it is indelibly impressed e.,1 the present
hal,B °f•our Constitution, and associated with the greatest ad-
ttt hat have ever been made in the application of its
the 6 N::11 principles.
Ye will not forget that it was by the great General of
IktßZge that the terrible barrier was broken down, by which a
right Proportion of our fellow-subjects were excluded from the
of all : but we also call to mind, with high satisfaction,
meatisdo„, preparation which had lren made for that act of
'litho; and equity, by the previous act of justice, which, when
4'stod Political power, and in opposition to those who pos-
q n It, Your Lordship successfully introduced into the House
4-4141" s—the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts.—
sooats of
t,ry ab, applause.) To yourself, and- to Lord Holland, your
the to ale coadjutor in the House of Lords, one large class of
ertte4L'oemunity must ever he grateful. On that, and on every
1,1, tett :',,h,ave your Lordship and your noble colleague mani-
;'gtrt full comprehension of the great principle of religious
'tltz,._:tnat no one should be the worse, in his reputation, his
vietion%t, or his usefulness, for his conscientious religious con-
;1"---( Cheering.) And for the character of the measure
ky Lort,,d for its effects, it must ever be regarded by yourself,
tUblio u, as well as by others, as a distinguished era in your
re-6 career. It was the commencement of that series of
rrilwinit.nt changes, which, aided as they have been by the
tetin,si liberality and intelligence of the community, are ef-
rlita't} healthful vigour in our public relations,und strength-
e attachment of the people to their Country, and to its
6, rolls for the general welfare.
Yoari:°el this, we proceed to the high service committed to
st)hreit,°rdihis by that venerated statesman whom our patriotic
n 114 called to preside over his couacils ; -whose life