BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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concerns in which Ireland was prominently featured.
We must remember that our views look somewhat higher
than the ordinary political conflict, that it is not
the predominance of this or that set of men we have
principally in view; ... we have great principles to
maintain.^9
Salisbury reiterated these concerns with still
greater emphasis
at an annual Grand Habitation meeting held in 1892 prior to the July
election.
On this occasion he raised the frightening spectre of a
civil war, a divided Empire, and an enfeebled England.
Whether the Ulster men choose to put themselves against
the rest of Ireland, whether, if they do so, they will
succeed is a matter for their consideration. ...
Political prophecy is always uncertain; but I think I
may venture to prophecy that any attempt on the part of
any Government to perpetuate such an outrage as this
would rend society in two. . . . What a terrible
division of an Empire which hitherto presented a united
front to the world. ... A state of things which
would destroy the credit and enfeeble the power of
England in every quarter of the world.80
One of Salisbury's greatest speeches was delivered to the
Primrose League in 1894.
The Liberals, defeated by the Lords regarding
their proposed Home Rule legislation, had sought to limit the powers of
the Upper Chamber.
Salisbury correctly perceived that the electors
would not support the measure, most particularly because of its bearing
on the issue of Home Rule.
Once again in Salisbury's hands the Lords
become the representative, par excellence, of the people.
Now, what I want you to carry home is this conviction-­
that the second Chamber in this country is not an
instrument for pronouncing a permanent, definite,
irrevocable decision; it is an instrument for reserving
79
80
lbid_. 9 p. 11.
JJbid., 7 May 1892, p. 11.