'People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors. ' -Edmund Burke
The Irish-born English statesman and politician is today considered the father of conservatism, despite the term not being in existence in his time. During the uproar in the American colonies over the tea duty, Burke made impassioned speeches defending the colonies' rebellion and urging the Crown to repeal the tax, arguing with foresight, "If [English] sovereignty and their freedom, cannot be reconciled, which will they take?"
