Toryism and the Tory Democracy (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Toryism and the Tory Democracy

The real nature and essential tendencies of any party, as of any man, are best seen when all external and hostile pressure has been removed. Radicalism - what it means - will only be properly understood when it shall have put all opposing influences under its feet. Of dominant Radicalism we have had no example in English history. Ere the century ends we will probably have such an example, and it will be found to mew anarchy.

Toryism dominant we have known - to our sorrow. The opening of the century reveals to us Toryism of the unregenerate, unidea'd type sovereign in these countries. A Tory party, basing itself upon the defence of property, tends steadily towards the revival of such a stupid tyranny as that which I have endeavoured to depict in the tint portion of this book. There would, however, be a dif ference - a difference for the worse. The elder dominant Toryism was worked by noblemen and gentlemen. Latter day Toryism, unleavened by any generous democratic idea, would, if successful, exhibit a much uglier form of tyranny - the plutocratic - a tyranny worked by the mean rich, by their kept editors and kept politicians.

The good citizen, these times, will not favour a party which, basing itself on property alone and the retention of the status quo, moves inevitably in the direction of a corrupt plutocratic despotism. Neither will he support a party which, basing itself upon its hostility to property, moves as inevitably to wards anarchy and the disruption of all things.

Within the ranks of Conservatism there is being formed a Tory party of the future - the Tory Democratic -of which, politically at least, I hepe to see Lord Randolph Churchill the leader, a party which will maintain the solidarity of the nation, restrain class warfare, and base itself upon the intention to achieve the solid good of the people, through the wise employment of national and Imperial resources.

But the Tory Democratic idea is not altogether political. It has a private individual sphere too, greater and more promising than that open to the statesman, and which would afford infinite help to the statesman. That private sphere, ever open to rank and wealth, I have in the third portion of my book suggested as the proper field of exertion for the upper classes in my own country. The reader, however, will perceive that such a sphere lies Open everywhere for men endowed with the necessary public spirit and with adequate private means.

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