BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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Catholics favoring denominational instruction.
The subject which appeared to receive the most sustained
coverage in meetings sponsored by the Habitation was the maintenance of
a strong foreign policy and a united empire,
elicited support from the Irish community.
issues which might have
In addressing a meeting of
the Habitation in February of 1898, the presiding chairman, a member of
the executive, contrasted the strength of a Unionist Cabinet to that of
a Liberal
one "made up of Separatists and men who in foreign politics
never seemed to have the courage of their own convictions.
(Applause.)" 44
At a meeting held that same year in October, Colonel Bain
staunchly defended Conservative policy, particularly its foreign policy
as a "glorious vindication of Khartoum," which would "wipe out a blot
from a page of our national
history by the avenging of the death of
General Gordon. (Applause.)" 4 5 The following year a lecture was
delivered by a visiting speaker which provided an overview of the
salient features contributing over the past one thousand years to the
creation of the modern British navy.
According to W.D.P. Field, a
powerful
fleet was essential, not for its ability to protect industries
overseas, but in order "that our daily food might be safe." 4 6
Whitehaven Habitation was particularly active
in supporting the
government's policies regarding the Boer war.
The speeches delivered
44
45
46
Ibid., 2 February 1898.
J^rid., 5 October 1898.
Ibid., 1 March 1899.