A vacancy having occurred in your Parliamentary Representation,
I have acceded to the request of many influential friends that
I would allow myself to be placed in Nomination.
I cannot but share, as a Worcestershire man, the feelings that
have been expressed to me on all sides, that the successor of
Colonel Rushout ought to be, not only connected with, but a
resident in the County.
Whatever my private principles may be, I cannot, under the
circumstances of the moment, resist this appeal. I therefore
venture to ask your confidence and your support.
To many of you I am personally known, and I shall take the
earliest opportunity of endeavouring to become acquainted with
you all.
While my Political Principles are Conservative, no man can be
more sincerely desirous than myself to promote Progressive
Improvement, both Social and Political; and as I believe these
to be the sentiments of the present Ministry, I should, as your
Representative, give to the Government of Lord Derby a general
but independent support.
I am firmly attached to the Protestant Church of England, and
anxious for the proper maintenance of her venerable fabrics,
but, at the same time I am opposed to the compulsory exaction
of Church Rates from those who conscientiously object to them,
and I would support this principle in any measure which may be
brought forward with the hope of settling this long-disputed
question.
In the same spirit I would be willing to give my support to any
measure which, having for its object the Improvement of our
Representative system, will combine a just desire to extend
popular rights with due regard to the maintenance of the
Constitution.
I also attach great importance to the amendment of our Laws,
and would promote any well considered attempt to effect that
purpose.
I shall be ready to avail myself of every occasion to give you
that explanation of my opinions upon the leading questions of
the day, to which you are entitled from a Candidate for your
Suffrages; and in the meantime I confidently anticipate a
successful issue to the struggle in which I feel myself thus
compelled to engage.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your faithful friend and obedient servant,
JOHN SLANEY PAKINGTON.
_Westwood Park, Droitwich, January 28th, 1859._
Committee Room at Dudley, Swan Hotel.
* * * * *
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE EASTERN DIVISION OF THE COUNTY OF
WORCESTER.