The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-10 00:00:00

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

BIRMINGHAM, SATURDAY EVENING.
Mr. M'Geachy and Mr. Webster have both re-

tired from the contest, and Mr. Bright is thus left

in undisturbed possession of the field. At a meeting
of Mr. M'Geachy's friends held last night, at which
Mr. Adderley, 1V1.P., was present, it was openly
avowed that the only hope of success was founded
upon the division which existed in the Liberal
patty. To prevent this result Mr. Webster has
withdrawn, union has been accomplished, and the
Conservatives defeated. Had all three can.lidates
gone to the poll, Mr. M‘Geachy would in all pro-
bability have been returned.
Mr. Bright arrived at Tamworth, where he has
taken up his residence for a few days, early this
morning, and shortly afterwards, at the request of
his committee, issued the following address
To THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF BIRMINGHAM.
" Gentlemen,—l am informed that a very influential
portion of your body is wishful that I should become
one of yoor representatives to fill the place of the inde-
pendent and faithful member you have recently lost, and
I have seen in the newspapers that at a very large public
meeting my name has been received with great favour,
" You are doubtless aware that it has been my inten-
tion, at least for a time, to keep out of public life, that
I might have an opportunity fully to recover from an
illness which far more than a year has made it necessary
that I should abstain from mental labour, and from the
excitement which attends public affairs.
"I have, therefore, not sought to be returned to Par-
liament, but have endeavoured to evade all invitations to
become a candidate for the suffrage of any constituency,
" I feel, however, that after the steps which have
been taken by my friends in Birmingham I am not at
►iberty to reject the honour and the responsibility which
they are disposed to offer to me, and I have intimated
to them that while, strictly speaking, I aria not a candi-
date soliciting your suffrages, I cannot withhold such cc-
operation with them as may enable them hest tosustain the
position they have taken in reference to the approaching
election. It is on this ground, and with this explanation,
that I venture to depart from my original intention not
to interfere in any way in the contest in which you are
now engaged.
" Alter 14 years of ser►ice in the House of Commons;
having spoken and voted on almost every great question
which has been discussed during that period, I feel it un-
necessary to write at length and in detail as to my poli-
tical opinions and my public course. You will not re-
quire to be told that I am a warm supporter of such mea-
sures as shall render the representation of the nation more
real and complete in the House of Commons, and that I
shall value any scheme brought forward by the Govern-
ment in proportion as it is extensive in its scope and
honest in its intention, and that I shall regard a wide
extension of the franchise as shorn of half its virtue if it
be not accompanied by the safeguard of the ballot.
"I need hardly say that I strongly approve of a prin-
ciple which I cannot doubt is dear to the people of Bir-
mingham—that of local control in all matters of local in-
terest. I would entrust more to the inhabitants in each
locality and less to the Government officials and to the
Home-office. _

" With regard to a question which some time ago ex-
cited interest among a portion of your body—viz., the
disposition of the Government to manufacture arms and
other articles for the public service, and thus to compete
with or destroy the private manufacturer—l have only to
refer you to my course on that subject when it was be-
fore Parliament. I think Government manufactures
money.wron
wrong in principle, and always wasteful of the public
" There is another question which at this moment oc-
cupies and absorbs public attention—the revolt In India.
While I deplorable this terrible event along with the rest
of my countrymen, I am, perhaps, less surprised at it
than most of them are, For 12 years I have given great
attention to the subject of India. I have twice brought
it before Parliament,—once in moving for a select com-
mittee, and once in moving for a Royal commission of
inquiry; and I took an active part in the debate on ths
bill recently passed to continue the powers of the East
India Company, and held public meetings in several of
our largest cities with a view to excite public interest in
the great question of the government of India.
" The success of the insurrection would involve an-
archy in India, unless some great man, emerging from
the chaos, should build up a new empire, based on and
defended by military power. lam Lot prepared to de-
fend the steps by which England has obtained dominion
in the East, but, looking to the interests of India and
England, I cannot oppose such measures as may be
deemed necessary to suppress the existing disorder.
" To restore order to India is mercy to India ; but
heavy will be the guilt of our country should we neglect
hereafter any measures which would contribute to the
welfare of its hundred millions of population. I hope'that
the acts of the Government will be free from the vindic-
tive and sanguinary spirit which is shown in many of the
letters which appear in the newspapers, and that when
the present crisis is over all that exists of statesmanship
in England will combine to work what good is possible
out of so much evil.

"I will say no more. The kindness shown to me by
yo many among you I feel deeply. I value your good
opinion as you would wish it to be va'ued. I have
sought private life, and quiet for a time is needful for
me. You have called on me to occupy a very honour-
able position, and if I am placed in it by your free
choice I cannot refuse it, and I shall strive to give to
you and to our country a faithful service.
" I am, with the greatest respect, yours faithfully,
" Tamworth, Aug. 8. JOHN BRIGHT."

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with
THE GAME OF SPECULATION. Mr. Charles Matthews,
Mr. Chippendale, Mr. Farren ; Messdames Fitzwilliam, Sa-
bine, &c.
After which, COOL AS A CUCUMBER.
To conclude with A DAUGHTER TO MARRY.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.)
First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes
Upper Bores
Pit
Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery 0 t: No half-price to Upper Gallery.