BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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feature of the later years was the extent to which Salisbury
consciously reworked the themes so assiduously and
successfully pursued
in the 1880's.
Addressing the annual Grand Habitation in 1889, Salisbury noted
the rise in public support for imperial
issues over the last few years,
paying homage to the League's contribution.
A great spirit of patriotism has been shown, and I
cannot but think that if during the last seven or eight
years the idea of empire has gathered strength and
power, and that the feelings which are associated with
it have become more weighty in the hearts of all
classes of society, no small party of the praise goes
to the efforts of the Primrose League. (Cheers.) 77
In celebrating the League's official
count of a million members
two years later, Salisbury cast its achievement in military terms,
"such a gigantic army in so short a space of time."
He looked back
almost nostalgically to the gains achieved since 1886.
It is a circumstance full of encouragement when we
remember with how gloomy a view a few years back men
looked upon our political prospects. It shows that
there is a power of resistance and stability in the
institutions of this country. 78
Nevertheless, realizing that the political
pendulum was likely
to swing in favor of the Liberals in an upcoming General Election, he
cautioned his troops against relenting in their efforts in the arduous
battle before them.
While the election might turn .on a number of
current issues, it must not be allowed to threaten larger, more vital
Critique," Political Studies vol. 30 (1982), pp. 207-20.
on the Ballot.
Idem, Crosses
77
78
The Primrose League Gazette, 25 May 1889, p. 15.
Ibid., 25 April 1891, p. 9.