Edmund Burke was borne in Dublin on January 12--some 273 years ago. He is often called the father of conservatism, reflecting the central passion throughout his writings and speeches--opposition to arbitrary power, especially in the hands of the government, with its "officious, universal interference" in people's lives. He was also an intellectual ally of America's revolution, condemning the imposition of taxes without representation as "perfect uncompensated slavery," and warning that if required to choose between British sovereignty and freedom, American colonists "will cast your sovereignty in your face. Nobody will be argued into slavery." Given that Burke continues to inspire...