BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

117
Despite the lapse of time since the 1886 General Elections,
Primrose League publications remained focused on the Irish question.
The topical list of lantern slide shows proposed by the executive for
possible distribution to Habitations circa 1888 gives a total of twenty
subjects, subdivided into two categories, "Irish" and "General." Their
titles are particularly revealing, suggesting the heightened tone of
outrage employed by the League in disseminating its views and the
organization's endorsement of the policies enumerated by Salisbury's
government.
The Irish selection, subtitled "The Reign of Terror in
Ireland," included the "Murder of John Meade," "Outrage on Patrick
Robinson," "O'Brien in Prison Enjoying Sandwiches and Sherry," and
"Gladstone, the Cause of Law and Order."63
The general slides, despite their stated category, also
contained at least two presentations on Ireland, "Ireland Prosperous-
Loyalist," and "Ireland Otherwise—Separatist."
The remaining titles
dealt with common Primrose themes including "the Queen," "General
Gordon at Khartoum—Hemmed in--," a presumedly uncomplimentary
portrayal of the opposition leader entitled "Gladstone at the Theatre,"
as well as such common topics as "Salisbury's Speech as Grand Master,"
and "Beaconsfield's Statue Decorated with Primroses."64
The slides
May 1889, p. 8.
63 "Slide Committee," Primrose League Special Minute Book,
1886-1900. No date was given, but the adjacent minutes suggest the
Committee met sometime between 18 June 1888 and 28 January 1889. The
LGC minutes indicate that many of the slides were incorporated into a
traveling "Magic Lantern Tour" given by the League in the winter of
1889. LGC Executive Committee Minutes, 1 February 1889; 22 February
1889; 31 May 1889.
64
Ibid.