[f. stem of CONSERVAT-IVE + -ISM; cf. separatist, speculatist, but also positivism.] The doctrine and practice of Conservatives: primarily as a term of English politics; = Toryism.
1835. Arnold, Lett. to Justice Coleridge, 16 Dec. (R. Suppl.). Any one, who has not satisfied himself, as I have, that Conservatism [in politics] is wrong. Ibid. (1840), Lett., in Stanley, Life (1844), II. ix. 188. The principle of Conservatism has always appeared to me to be not only foolish, but to be actually felo de se: it destroys what it loves, because it will not mend it.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, II. v. Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 148. Like all great English statesmen, he was constitutionally conservative, but he had the tact to perceive the conditions under which in critical times, conservatism is possible.
1862. Standard, 24 March. Let no one presume to identify Conservatism with reaction.
b. Hence, generally, conservative principles in politics, theology, criticism, etc.
1850. Whipple, Ess. & Rev. (ed. 3), I. 184. That shrinking timidity of conservatism, which fears every thing new, for the reason that it is new.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul, I. 366. The stiff conservatism of a few Rabbis.
