I wouldn't necessarily call these "conservative" principles but are more my personal governing principles. I reserve the right to change my mind...
1. Your rights end where mine begin.
A person does not have the right to trample on another’s rights in pursuit of their own. Your rights cannot, will not, and must not infringe on my own.
2. Your right to something does not include a right to make me give it to you.
Having a right to something guarantees that you are able to pursue or execute that right to best of your ability. It does not include the right to force someone to do something for you. For example, I have a right to “the pursuit of happiness”. I do not have a right for YOU to make me happy. However, I do have the right for you to not impede that pursuit.
3. Rights are recognized – not given.
The government does not grant rights – as stated in the Constitution that they are unalienable (natural and not granted by laws) – and recognized by the Constitution. Governments grant privileges. A privilege is a special entitlement that can be revoked. I have a right to pursue my own happiness. You cannot take that away. I have the privilege to vote. That can be revoked based on my behavior in society.
4. "That government is best which governs least" -- Henry David Thoreau
Government is often an intrusion and barrier and is seldom a facilitator. The greater the size of government, the more control and authority it exercises on the individual.
5. Citizenship has its privileges
Being a citizen should bring greater privileges than not being a citizen. All human beings have unalienable rights but not all human beings should benefit from privileges granted by society. There should be a clear distinction between uninvited guests, guests, and citizens in terms of benefits, participation in government, and allocation and competition for public resources. Without that distinction, citizenship has no meaning.
6. The best governing decisions are those made closest to the individual
All politics are local. The community is in the best position to decide how that community is governed. Central – or even global – control places decisions too far from those that must live under those decisions. When at all possible, defer to local governing bodies. This may lead to a wide range of policies from region to region but helps to ensure the autonomy of communities to decide their own path. One can always protest by replacing political leaders or moving to a region that more closely matches views. Top down decisions should always be viewed cynically and with an eye towards the most unpleasant outcome. Top down decisions are less flexible, less applicable, overly broad, or overly narrow in an attempt to cover all.
7. Do not legislate to protect people from themselves
Common sense should be common. A person also has the right to be foolish. Laws to protect people from themselves imply an inability to make good decisions and unwillingness to let someone other than “the lawmaker” decide for themselves. A person has a right to be foolish, be self-destructive, and work counter to their own interests as long as that right does not trample on some else’s right (see principle #1)
8. Equality does not mean redress of grievances
A rising tide lifts all boats. Legislation should avoid attempting to compensate for a shortfall by forcing an overcorrection. The overcorrection will not be removed even after it is not needed. Rather, policies should be made that provide the greatest good to the greatest number of citizens. Policies that target specific groups brings resentment and a sense of entitlement that has no place in an equal society.
9. With few exceptions, when possible allow private institutions to address public concerns
There are few things large, inflexible governments do well. There is no incentive for them to do well. When possible, allow private markets to compete to provide the best solutions to problems already presented by the public. Competition and the incentive of greater rewards for greater success should drive as many solutions as possible.
10. Legislation should be difficult and rare
It should be difficult to add new legislation – especially at the national level. We, as a society, should be loath to create new national legislation. It should be created only when local measures are inadequate or impossible and even then, it should be reactionary. As a society, we should constantly ask if whatever problem is being discussed would be better addressed by a smaller community – the state, the county, the city.
