New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-23
WOMAN IN MODERN POLITICS
SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE TELLS WHAT
HE THINKS OF HER AS A POLIT-
ICAL FACTOR.
THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE. ITS GREAT UNDERTAKE
INGS AND HOW 1T FIGURES IN THE
ENGLISH POLITICAL LIFE

INGs AND HOW 1T FIGURES IN THE
ENGLISH POLITICAL LIFE.
when was returned In 1855 as the first Member
Parliament for the newly constituted borough OF
North kensington my supporters celebrated the
event In a very kindly and generous spirit by enter
tanning my dear wife. the late Lady Lethbridge and
myself at grand banquet in the Ladbroke Hall.
with Lord Ciaud Hamilton. my then chairman. as
president says Sir Roper Lethbridge In The Gentle
woman OF January .. In the speech delivered on
that occasion / expressed my confident belief that
the chief factor that had conduced TO success was
the remarkably Jealous and efficient electoral work
OF the North Kensngton Hamilton Habltation OF
the Primrose League. then under the direction Of
Lady Lethbridge. Mrs Henley Jervis. Mrs Mead.
Mrs Hornepayne. Mrs. Morton Daniel, Miss Chap
man and other Kensington danes
81 pointed out that in the political work OF
this body OF Kensngton ladies there had been
room for any suspicion OF exclusive deal
ing 'boycotting or favoritism for that the fun
damenta rule Of the Habitation. that had
been proposed by Lady Lethbridge and
passed unanimously. the effect that the ladies'
OF the league pledged themselves to take no note
whatever of party politics in their business dealings.
but only give the preference the productions Of
British and Irish workers those of the foreigner
Since that time. eleven years ago, the
political work Of the Primrose League has been emu
lakeland am bound TO say. in my opinion. worthily
emiAated. though. OF course. on far smaller scale
by the Ladies' Liberia. Unionist Association and by
the Ladies' Liberal Federation.
But while these junior organizations have shown
their appreciation Of the work of the Primrose
League by working on somewhat similar lines. the
league Itself has advanced by leaps and bounds. At
first confined mainly to London, the home coun-
ties and the more thicky populated portions Of
England. 1t has long ago spread not only to the
most remote rural districts but also to the Colo
MES and India. During the last few months
have visited great number of Primrose League
habitations in the extreme southwest OF England.
In Devonshire and Cornwall: and believe. though
the prevailing political bias of many districts in
those two counties Is very favorable to the
league. there is no part of the Empire where there
is greater enthusiasm greater efficiency.
THE particular glory and credit Of the Primrose
League is that it has brought into close and friend
~ cooperation. for social we'll as political pur-
poses. OF all ranks and classes. And no.
where Is this happy state OF things more noticeable
than in Devon and Cornwall, where the work OF
the Primrose League has been actively and In
deed. enthusiastically taken up by many of those
ladies whose high rank distinguished position or
local popularity and rcpute make them acknowl-
edged leaders of society.
'One OF the candidates for an East End district
says:
Thanks to the higher conception Of patriotism
difused by the efforts of the Primrose League. the
arstocracy have been awakened 10 deeper sense
OF obligation to the State The society belle Is no
longer with her ride in the park ner |oou-
wood and her presentation at Court as the sum
and substance OF her existence. but hunting gown
golf costume and bail dress are alike ungrudshey
flung aside when necessary for the work OF the
league Mothers and daughters in every rank OF
life have found possible. without any real evasion
OF social or domestic duties. to fnd time IN t t
among the masses Of faith in the hrst principles of
good government namely soild resPse' ra,rious
education OF the young and deep veneraiion ior
the e-honored institutions OF the nation .,-o
for politics When addressing the Tavlsiock iiaoita-
ton Of the Primrose League S on ns pen the
maintenance of religion and law and order ana pup
were things even important to the poor than to
the rich, and the weak more than.to the strong.
ton. and am one of those who had ever main
tanned that they were not only IN name nu1 IN rea,
en- the more prudent well as the more generous
sentiments OF humanity were to ne toynd Inc very
instinct OF maternity, the love OF children and the
care and anxiety about their future welfare nat,
urally ranged women on the side OF prudence ana
their affections made them supporters OF rel sion ana
loyalty law and orderIney were born
Of utmost importance that they should study Tor
When % hf e h eSa Wod Fl be best %e
their most influential supporters Il was me
GLORY Of the h sTs hat
and that ther danes without in the slightest de-
nine Attributes had become a mighty factor in their
English political life.
Now In whatever place help IS required there
Is some one there TO give It, Nearly the who.e
of the clerical work the last election was done by
the members OF the Habtatior. and carried out as
required by the Unionst agent. under the direction
Of Primrose League officers. on the first day they
nut I'D and posted 10 eacn of 10M0 e.ectors TWO ad-
dresses: the rough copy OF the second was only re.
ceived at $50 p. m. and 1t was printed ana poste.
before IL D. m Circumstances prevented tho adj
dresses being ready before and 1t was OF the utmost
importance that they should be posted that day-and
this would have been impossible had there not been
strong body OF organized amateur workers. such az
the Primrose League alone provide. Ana
throughout the election they worked day after day
I'm the same central committee room with the Union
list organza ton each body having their definite work,
but each giving great assistance TO the other when
necessary
meetings Of all sorts where political instruction is
sa nd wiched between various agreeable and nno-
cent forms of amusement, keep the ball a-rong
throughout the year Can any doubt the ulti-
mate effect on the electorate OF such propaganda
as this?'