To claim that there is any "original" meaning of the term conservatism is to assert that Maistre—who certainly was an advocate of authoritarian monarchalism—is the paradigmatic conservative, and that there could be no other. Moreover, it implies that Maistre's version of conservatism is the direct antecedent of today's self-labeled conservative politicians, who exist in a representative republic. I find that a pretty big stretch, even moreso than the claim that the president is a true conservative.
While I may be wrong, incidentally, I suspect that the only realm in which Burke has something in common with "classical liberals" in the 19th-century sense is in the economic sphere, where he disdained government interference. But it wasn't for the same reasons as 19th century liberals. Burke was no fan of liberty as a general principle (and he would have scoffed at the notion of general political principles in general, except ones relying on tradition and religion).
(no subject)
While I may be wrong, incidentally, I suspect that the only realm in which Burke has something in common with "classical liberals" in the 19th-century sense is in the economic sphere, where he disdained government interference. But it wasn't for the same reasons as 19th century liberals. Burke was no fan of liberty as a general principle (and he would have scoffed at the notion of general political principles in general, except ones relying on tradition and religion).