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THE LATE MR D. WILLIAMS, M.P.

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THE LATE MR D. WILLIAMS, M.P. It is with much regret that we record to-day the death of Mr DAVID WILLIAMS, of Castle Deudraeth, M.P. for the county of Merioneth. The hon. gentleman had been unwell for some time, in fact ever since his triumphant return in the winter of 1868, and was not able to vote more than once during his first and only session in parlia- ment. That vote, it is a satisfaction to think, was re- corded on behalf of the third reading of the Irish Church Bill, and Mr WILLIAMS was thus enabled, for himself and the constituency which he represented, to take part in what may almost be considered the greatest legislative act of recent years. Of Mr WILLIAMS'S courageous fight for the seat which he won at last it is hardly necessary to speak at any length; our readers remember it all so well. It was in 1859 that Mr WILLIAMS was first induced to offer himself for the county; and only those who know its previous history can appreciate the nature of the contest or the "pluck" that was required to enter into a strug- gle against such tremendous odds. For generations Merionethshire had been held by the Tories, held almost without dispute, except that once, in 1836, when Sir ROBERT VAUGHAN, of Nannau, handed over" the seat to the late Mr RICHARDS, of Caerynwch, Sir WILLIAM WYNNE, ofMaesyneuadd, venturing to dispute the pleasant little transaction, was defeated by more than three to one. At that time only seven individuals at Dolgelley, five at Bala, and three at Corwen ventured to support the Liberal candidate, who polled altogether 150, to his opponent's 501. In the year 1859, however, the Liberals courageously determined to try again for the s.:at which the Conser- vatives had learnt to regard as theirs by prescriptive right; and Mr DAVID WILLIAMS, a veteran in the cause, was chosen as the champion of the attacking party. The odds, as we have said, were fearful. Immemorial posses- sion was something, but it was little compared with the weight of wealth, and territorial influence, and excellent organization, which the Conservatives threw into the scale in favour of Mr WYNNE, of Peniarth, to whom, by this time, the seat had been transferred. The Liberals, how- ever, had on their side courage, the good wishes of the constituency, a body of able workers, and an indomitable determination to win, and the result of the first struggle was extremely credita- ble Mr WYNNE made 389, and Mr WILLIAMS, 351. In 1865 there was another election, and Mr WILLIAMS again came forward to oppose the Conservative candidate, Mr W. R. M. WYNNE, son of the former member, who had re- tired. Again the struggle was severe; and again the wealth and territorial influence of the Conservatives were too much for the wishes of the constituency, and Mr WYNNE won the seat by the slightly diminished majority of thirty-one. After this second defeat many thought that, though the Liberals were certain to fight again, it would have to be with another leader than Mr WILLIAMS, who was now feeling the infirmities of advancing age; but when, in 1868, there was another chance, with an enlarged constituency, the contest was renewed, with the same candidate, and renewed so successfully that before the day of nomination Mr WYNNE gracefully retired from the field. This was in November, and in December theLiberals of Merionethshire had the great satisfaction of seeing Mr WILLIAMS taking his seat in the House as their member, after fighting their battles with so much spirit for many years. Some weeks after the re-opening of the session Mr WILLIAMS was again in London,, but he was seldom able to take part in the proceedings-of the House, and only once, as we have said, to record his vote. Before the session, closed he gave notice of a motion of considerable importance to the mining interest in North Wales; but his friends were afraid, even then; that he might never again take his seat in Parliament. All through the sum- mer and autumn Mr WILLIAMS'S health has continued to cause anxiety and on Wednesday his long illness termi- nated in death, the deceased gentleman being then in his seventy-first year. Although chiefly known in the political world, Mr WILLIAMS did great service to North Wales-by his energetic support of railway communication, and for some years he had acted as a director of the Cam- brian and Carnarvonshire Railways. The development of the mineral wealth of the country also owed much to his exer- tions; and in many other ways he proved himself a public benefactor. His death removes from amongst us one of the most prominent public men in North Wales; and long after he has gone, Mr WILLIAMS-will be grate- fully remembered by the whole Principality as the man under whose gallant leadership not only Merionethshire was wrested from the grasp of the Conservatives, but Welsh- men everywhere were encouraged to strike for political liberty and a real and useful representation in Parliament. On this head we can hardly say too much ;,for the example of Merionethshire has been so well followed that the political aspect of Welsh representation has become com- pletely changed, and at the present moment, thanks in great part to the stand which Mr WILLIAMS and his friends made, only two Conservative members sit for North Wales and five for South Wales. It was Mr WILLIAMS'S chief glory, that he was principally instrumental in restoring his country to political freedom and political representation, and raising it socially as well as politically, making it respected in Parliament and in. the country, and giving it some weight in the council of the nation.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN…

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Local and District News.

.-BALA.

CORWEN.

TOWYN.

m THE LATE MR D. WILLIAMS,…

Family Notices

TIDE TABLE FOR ABERYSTWYTH,

-Shipping Intelligence. ----

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_____General.

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Ecclesiastical.