BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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leadership. 1 ?
yhe Registrar was responsible for all communications
issued from the Central Office.
An elaborate system of rules governing the League was set forth
in the statutes.
Habitations were to keep a roll of members, set local
Tributes, and recruit in their respective areas. Habitation
applications and Knight enrollments were to be sent to the Central
Office together with the payment of four crowns or five shillings,
respectively.
A Warrant or diploma would be returned stamped with the
seal of the League, the issue number, date, and certified by the
Registrar.
Correspondence from the Central Office to the local
Habitation was termed "Precept"; that from the association to the
executive was labeled "Representation."
The seal of the League consisted of three primroses; the badges
had an imperial crown encircled by primroses.
Officers and Knights had
their own specific types of diplomas, badges, and ribbons commensurate
with their rank.
Badges were required to be worn at all meetings and
members were instructed to show their allegiance to the League by
wearing primroses on the nineteenth of April.
The League's motto, "Imperium et Libertas," was taken from the
Guildhall speech given by Disraeli in November of 1879.
It referred to
the virtues of strong government founded on a commitment to empire,
patriotism, and the diplomatic sagacity to defend these interests
* 7 In two out of three major amendments considered by the
Council of the National Union, Seager Hunt voted with Lord Percy,
Ashmead Bartlett, and the "establishment" camp. "National Union Annual
Conference," 23 July 1884; NUA 2/1/3.