The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-28 00:00:00

WOLVERHAMPTON.

Yesterday the re-election of Sir Richard Bethell
for this borough took place in the Corn Exchange,
and was attended by between 400 and 500 persons.
The mayor presided as returning-officer.

Mr. EDWARD PERRY, manttfacturer, proposed
he re-election of Sir Richard.

Mr. ROBERT BEW, chemist, of Bilston, seconded
.he nomination.

No other candidate being proposed, Sir Richard
Bethell was, amidst cheers, declared duly elected.
Sir R. BETIIELL, in thanking the electors for this
second proof of their good opinion and esteem, said
he should be sorry, indeed, if, being their represen-
tative, it could be supposed for one moment that he
was indifferent to their local interests, or that he
had not that general information as to what their
commercial interests required to qualify him for their
representative in Parliament. When they sent a
man to Parliament they sent one to legislate for the
interests of the whole nation ; he was not to be
merely the representative of Wolverh am pton—a man
whom in their judgment they considered fit to be
one of the deliberative body—the senate of the
whole empire. Undoubtedly, great responsibility
Jested upon that body. Since he had first the
honour to fill the high office which he now held for the
second time he had been elected their representa-
tive in Parliament, and it was supposed that he 1,
might with confidence appeal to them a second
time, but if it had been a great advantage in one
respect to be again elected their representative, it
had probably been in some degree also a disadvan-
tage, because he felt that he ought to forego any
species of claim that he mtght have to any higher
dignity, in order that he might have the honour of
representing them and of serving his country still
in the House of Commons. That was a claim which
he cheerfully acknowledged, and he was thankful
to find that he had been esteemed worthy of being
placed in a situation of trust and honour, where he
might contribute to the general public good ; and,
as Attorney-General, might be of service to the
Government in promoting those legal reforms and
those measures of local and social improve-
ment which he hoped the next session would
see accomplished. It was felt that he'inight
contribute to the accomplishment of this end,
having the weight which, in the House of Com-
mons, attaches to one who has the honour to re-
present a constituency so large and important as
that of Wolverhampton. Connected with political
affairs, it would be recollected that when they
last met it was for the purpose of returning an
answer to the question as to whether the late Go-
vernment had the confidence of the nation ; and
the people directed their representatives to say
that they had no confidence in that Administra-
tion, which proved to be the general opinion of the
country. The House of Commons had, therefore,
little more to do than to pronounce the verdict
which the country had passed,—that being the
condemnation by a majority of the House of Com-
mons of the late Administration. It, therefore,
became their duty to form a new Administration;
that had been done, and he congratulated them
on the fact that it had been formed on

the principle that every department and
every section of the Liberal party ought
to be represented. To him it was a matter of
great concern and grief that their honoured
new
repre-
sentative, Mr. Villiers, had not a place in the
Government ; but lie could, from his own personal
knowledge, assure the people of Wolverhampton
that the merits and high reputation of Mr. Villiers
were appreciated by all members of the Govern-
ment ; and though, from the numbers whom it was
necessary to admit, some men have been compelled
to the exercise of self-denial, and
to give up their
personal considerations and claims—among
undoubtedly, their excellent
hecourledpresentative, Mr.
Villiers, was one—yet
due tribute was paid to the talent
and all that he had done for the Liberal cause was
uniformly felt and acknowledged ; and he trusted
the time would come when Mr• Villiers would be
hi eor
that
s
in the Government. (Cheers.) The new Govern-
assure
o f
A.rrthem.
Vl
Govern-
ment had been formed upon the principle of select-
ng as many as possible from the great body of able
administrators—men skilled and well versed in
the science of
government, and belonging to the
different sections of the Liberal body in Parliament.
He would admit that it was the first duty of a
minister who undertook the task of forming a Go-
vernment—a Government that should stand at the
helm of the vessel of the State in a most critical
and a most momentous time, for no man could tell
what the future was likely to produce, for as to the
progress of the war in Italy they knew not how soon
the fountains of the great deep might be broken up,
and England become involved in a general war,—
it was therefore most essential to select men of great
experience, knowledge, and power, who, by the
combined force of their abilities, might form a
Cabinet which might have the greatest influence on
the Cabinets of other countries to obtain the re-
establishment of peace in Europe. (Cheers.) The
policy of that Cabinet was contained in two sim-
ple words which all had inscribed on their banners
—" Peace" and " Reform"—words most dear to
every thinking man, and for which every anxious,
honest man would offer up his prayers that it may
be in the power of the Cabinet to accomplish. It
was a melancholy spectacle to observe what was at
present taking place in that fairest portion of
Europe, Northern Italy. He was quite sure they
would all agree with him in the feeling of pleasure
at the prospect of ITherated Italy, and it was a sub-
ject of congratulation to all real lovers of liberty to
observe (that the Italian States which had been
emancipated from the iron rule of tyranny had
peacefully established systems of local government,