The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-12 00:00:00

NOTTINGHAM.

MR. JOHN WALTER'. POLITICAL SENTIMENTS.—At a
public dinner given by the electors of Nottingham to one
of their new members of parliament (John Walter, Esq.),
that gentleman thus stated his political sentiments, after
his health had been drunk with great enthusiasm --" I am
conscious that after the extremely handsome arid generous
manner in which you have received me here on this occa-
sion, I should be unworthy of the free and independent posi-
tion in which you have placed me, were I altogether to de-
cline giving some outline, however brief and imperfect, of
those general political principles and opinions upon which I
am about to enter parliament, and which, hereafter, will
form the subject of your approval, or of your censure. The
newsmen have thought fit to adopt a certain classification
in the 11111•1181111111111111 the names of the newly-elected mem-
ben he the mamilmg parliament. I do not know whether
they do this for the purpose of guiding the public, but I
think it quite imadmpate to define the relation in which par-
ties stand to each saber, and I most strongly decline to be
classed ander either of the categories under which they are
mentioned. I fineithem to be designated under the several
names of "Liberal," "Palate," and Protectionist." What
is a Liberal ? L manemene of the word, lam perfeclly satis-
fied that all the gmetiemen I now see before me are liberal,
but they are not liberal in the sense of bang wild, fanatic
revolutionists, nor what are generally called "pure old
Whip." (lieu.) This laths most aristocratic clan of the
community, bosadng of being the descendants of high and
motile &Raise but advocating the separation in union work
houses; of husband and wife when they are grown old and
infirm. (Vehement cheering.) On such liberality as this I
decline taking my stand. The next denomination is that
called the .nlite." I mean no disrespect whatever to
those members of parliament who espouse the principles of
Sir Robert Peel, but I must say that I understand
nothing by the word " Peelite," unless it has reference to
the honourable baronet and moat of those who supported
him, having obtained power under one set of principles,
and then abandoning them and leaving their friends in the
lurch. (Enthusiastic cheering.) I therefore, decline alto-
gether to have my name associated with any party name
connected with the idea of leaving one's friends is the lurch.
Then there are the " protectionists." I confer that I
cannot understand what the present protectionists would
be after. There was a time when we all should have been
protectionists to a certain extent ; but we may as well ex-
pect to see Queen Adelaide on the throne again as the
torn-laws to be reversed. I cannot consent to class myself
under that party. (Cheers.) Then, you will ask, to what
party do I belong ? My answer is, to no party. (Loud
and long-continued cheering.) I acknowledge no man
as my political leader. There was an individual to
whose political opinions, while he lived, I was delighted
to look up with all the deference of a disciple and a son ;
but now he is taken from us I can only say, in the words
of • great statesman, that "my political allegiance lies
buried in my father's grave." (Reiterated plaudits.) The
opinions of my father were strictly conservative in the proper
sense of that word—(hear)--not in that paltry sense in which
it is need for party purposes; but in the highest patriotic
sense of the word: he was anxious to preserve the old esta-
blished institutions of our country. (Loud cheers.) At the
same time, however, he was willing that they should be ac-
commodated to the altered civcainetances of the times.