1st Edition
Contemporary Thought on Nineteenth Century Conservatism 1850-1874
The Conservative party remains the longest-established major political party in modern British history. This collection makes available 19th century documents illuminating aspects of Conservatism through a critical period in the party’s history, from 1830 to 1874. It throws light on Conservative ideas, changing policies, party organisation and popular partisan support, showing how Conservatism evolved and responded to domestic and global change. It explores how certain clusters of ideas and beliefs comprised a Conservative view of political action and purposes, often reinforcing the importance of historic institutions such as the Anglican Church, the monarchy and the constitution. It also looks at the ways in which a broadening electorate required the marshalling of Conservative supporters through greater party organisation, and how the Conservative party became the embodiment and expression of durable popular political sentiment. The collection examines how the Conservative party became a body seeking to deliver progress combined with stability.
The documents brought together in this collection give direct voice to how Conservatives of the period perceived and extolled their aspirations, aims, and the values of Conservatism. Introductory essays highlight the main themes and nature of Conservatism in a dynamic age of change and how the Conservative axiom, in an imperfect world of successful adaptation, being essential to effective preservation informed and defined the Conservative party, the views of its leaders, the beliefs of its supporters, and the political outlook they espoused. This fourth volume continues exploring the period 1850-1874.
Volume IV – Victorian Conservatism, 1850-1874
Edited by Angus Hawkins
Part 2. Conservatism and the Church, 1852-1874
1. Benjamin Disraeli, ‘Church and the Queen’: Five Speeches Delivered by the Rt Hon B. Disraeli MP, 1860-1864. (London: G. J. Palmer, 1865), 1-79.
2. Gathorne Hardy, Speech of Mr Gathorne Hardy on the Irish Church Question, in the House of Commons, 31 March, 1868 (London, NUCCA, 1868), 3-16.
Part 3. Conservatism and Reform, 1852-1868
3. John Wilson Croker, ‘The Reform Bill’, The Quarterly Review, March 1854, 558-605.
4. Scheme for a Reform of Parliament by an Ex-MP and a Tory. (London: Thomas Hatchard, 1858), pp. 3-22.
5. Lord Robert Cecil, ‘The Theories of Parliamentary Reform’ in Oxford Essays (London: John W. Parker and Son, 1858), 52-79.
6. Benjamin Disraeli, Parliamentary Reform, Speech in the House of Commons, February 28, 1859. (London, 1859).
7. Spencer Horatio Walpole, ‘Parliamentary Reform, or the Three Bills and Mr Bright’s Schedules.’ The Quarterly Review, October 1859, pp. 541-562.
8. Spencer Horatio Walpole, ‘Reform Schemes.’ The Quarterly Review, January 1860, pp. 220-266.
9. Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, A Safe and Constitutional Plan of Parliamentary Reform: In Two Letters to a Member of the Conservative Party (London: William Ridgway, 1865), 1-32.
10. C. B. Adderley, Europe Incapable of American Democracy, An Outline Tracing of the Irreversible Course of Constitutional History, (London: Edward Stanford, 1867), 3-
Part 4. Conservatism in the Country, 1866-1874
11. William Busfeild Ferrand, The Speech of Mr Ferrand, President of the Bradford Working Man’s Conservative Association, at the Inaugural Banquet, on the 20th November, 1866, in St. George Hall (London, 1866), 2-12.
12. R. S. S., The Tory Reform Act. What Must We Do with It? Register! Register!! Register!!!, By a Member of the Council of the ‘National Union’ National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations, Publication No 4, (London, 1868), 3-19.
13. Practical Suggestions to the Loyal Working Men of Great Britain, on Points of Policy and Duty at the Present Crisis. By a Member of the Committee of the London and Westminster Working Men’s Constitutional Association. (London, 1868), 3-8.
14. The Political Future of the Working Classes, or, Who Are the Real Friends of the People, By a Member of the Committee of the London and Westminster Working Men’s Constitutional Association. (London, 1868), 3-7.
15. Shall We Give It Up? A Political Correspondence Dedicated to the Conservative Associations of the United Kingdom (London: Robert Hardwicke, 1871), 3-32.
16. The Principles and Objects of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations. (London, 1872), 5-15.
17. The Policy of the Conservative Party. The Speech of the Earl of Derby, at the Annual Meeting of the Liverpool Working Men’s Conservative Association, January 9th, 1872. NUCCA Publication No 11, (London, 1872), 3-14.
18. Benjamin Disraeli, Speech of the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, MP, at the Banquet of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations at the Crystal Palace, on Monday June 24, 1872.(London: R. J. Mitchell and Sons, 1872), 3-
19. Benjamin Disraeli, The Inaugural Address and Speeches of the Rt Hon B. Disraeli, MP, at Glasgow, November 1873. (London: Longmans, Green and Co,, 1873). 2nd edition, 1-69.
Biography
Angus Hawkins is Professor of Modern British History at Oxford University and a Fellow of Keble College
Richard Gaunt is Associate Professor in the Department of History, University of Nottingham, UK
