and thenceforward the simpler name Democratic designated the party of strict constructionists founded by Jefferson. The original name, "Democratic-Republican" continued in use in some States, notably in Pennsylvania, until about 1840. The second Congress had in the Senate seventeen Federalists, thirteen Democrat-Republicans. The House had fifty-five Federalists, fourteen Democrat-Republicans. One feature of Hamilton's financial policy brought the country to the very verge of civil war. Having assumed the debts of the States, it was found that the revenues of the government were not sufficient for its needs; especially as wars with the Indians were being prosecuted. In 1791 Hamilton proposed and secured the passage of a law imposing an excise tax. This aroused furious opposition. The hardy frontiersmen, who had to defend themselves and their families from constantly threatened Indian attacks, while clearing their land and cultivating their crops, considered this tax extremely oppressive. Far removed from any market for their grain, their only means of transportation being by pack-horses over the mountains an extensive and dangerous journey—or by river to New Orleans, a longer journey, and exposed to the double danger of navigating uncharted rivers, and of attacks by the Indians who lined the river banks, it was found more remunerative to distil the grain into whiskey, carry it by floats to New Orleans, and convert its proceeds into groceries and other domestic necessities. Under this excise law, the farmers were compelled to pay a double tax-one as excise, and the other as impost on the goods purchased with their whiskey. This aggravated their hostility, for they considered that unequal burdens were loaded upon them, as people in the east, far better able than they, had no excise tax to pay, being chiefly merchants, manufacturers, shippers, and professional men. The feeling of hostility to the law was widespread and intense, especially in western Pennsylvania. Excise officers were ostracized, as were all who aided them, even by renting them office room. Occasionally, one of the more officious and exasperating was ridden on a rail by his neighbors. As the people grew more reckless, the mails were tampered with to discover the tactics of the officers. Finally a collision occurred and blood was shed. It is a very general but very great mistake to believe that those people were innately lawless. There were amongst them demagogues and desperadoes. But the mass of the community was orderly, respectable, churchgoing, and religious. They were suffering under what they considered a great wrong. The revolt was very formidable. At a mass meeting held on Braddock's Field - where Washington had won his spurs many thousands attended. The President called out fifteen thousand Eastern troops, and marched with them to Bedford. Hamilton continued with them to Pittsburg. The bubble of revolution burst. But Hamilton remained to superintend the prosecution of the malcontents. The bitterness felt against him solidified the opposition to his party in all that section. The result of this ugly episode demonstrated the ability of the government to enforce its laws; this most critical juncture in the early days of the Republic leaving it more respected at home and abroad. Knox whom Madison called Hamilton's shadowproposed that the insurgents should be disfranchised, and the Pennsylvania Legislature passed an act to that effect. It was charged that the purpose of this act was to enable the Federalists to secure a Senator from Pennsylvania, and to exclude Albert Gallatin from the House of Representatives. The lesson in partisan tactics thus early resorted to was well learned, and effectively practised in later years Questions of foreign policy then, as now, had much to do in determining party affiliations, temporarily or permanently. In view of her invaluable aid in our struggle for independence, as well as her effort to establish a republic, popular sympathy was strongly with France and against England, who had failed to comply with some of the terms of the treaty of 1783. She had not surrendered her military posts on our soil; and it was believed that she continued to incite the Indians to commit depredations and murder. Our seamen were impressed; and British vessels seized our ships laden with grain en route to France. Hence the old-time hostility to England was kept at fever heat. In 1793, Jay was sent to England to negotiate a new treaty, which, when made public, aroused a storm of indignation which was only allayed by the powerful influence of Washington. Our cordial relations with France were somewhat impaired by the insolent and illegal acts of Genet, a French envoy to this country, and so diplomacy entered into politics, or politics into diplomacy. ests. The Federalists, who sympathized with England, supported Jay's treaty. The Democrats, who were friendly. to France, denounced the treaty as an infamous surrender to England, and a base betrayal of our commercial interDemocratic societies were organized throughout the country to resist the growing influence of the British policy, and to cultivate a closer alliance with France. But for the wisdom and firmness of Washington, this country would probably have been involved in the war between England and France. But, although this calamity was averted, the discussion and contention had a great effect on party affiliations. At the second election Washington was again chosen without opposition. But already parties were being solidified. Adams, Federalist, received 77 votes. Clinton, Democrat-Republican, 50 votes. Jefferson, Democrat Republican, 4 votes. Burr, Democrat - Republican, I vote.' The third Congress had in the Senate 18 Federalists, 13 Democrat-Republicans; the House had 51 Federalists, 54 Democrat-Republicans. The fourth Congress had in the Senate 19 Federalists, 13 Democrat-Republicans; the House 46 Federalists, 59 Democrat-Republicans. This indicates something of the ebb and flow of political sentiment. Tennessee was admitted in 1796. Jefferson was an Ambassador to France while the Constitution was being framed. But he anxiously watched its progress, and wrote many earnest letters to his friends at home, urging that all possible safeguards be incorporated in the instrument to limit the power of the Federal Government, and to protect the States in the enjoyment of their freedom and autonomy. Nor did these efforts cease with the adoption of the Constitution. He continued to insist on the necessity for amendments in the nature of a Bill of Rights, and under the able leadership of Madison-Jefferson's most trusted friend-ten amendments to the Constitution were adopted. It was supposed that these amendments would effectually serve the purpose contemplated, and free the Constitution from any doubtful interpretation. But the loose constructionists contended that many powers not specifically granted 1 For Washington: New Hampshire, 6; Massachusetts, 16; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 9; Vermont, 3; New York, 12; New Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 15; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 8; Virginia, 21; Kentucky, 4; North Carolina, 12; South Carolina, 8; Georgia, 4-total, 132. For Adams: New Hampshire, 6; Massachusetts, 16; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 9; Vermont, 3; New Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 14; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 8; South Carolina, 7—total, 77. For Geo. Clinton: New York, 12; Pennsylvania, I; Virginia, 21; North Carolina, 12; Georgia, 4-total, 50. For Jefferson: Kentucky, 4-total, 4. to the Federal Government might be inferred. And this conflict of opinion continued during Washington's second term, and greatly influenced the cementing of parties; and it has ever since been a cardinal doctrine separating the political parties. Jefferson and Hamilton, both members of Washington's Cabinet, had not agreed upon the form of government. Now that the Constitution had been adopted and was in full operation, they differed widely upon the proper construction of that instrument. Jefferson was for a strict construction, and for limiting the power of the Federal Government to that plainly conferred by the organic law. Hamilton wanted the general government to assume and exercise all powers which the most liberal construction would sanction. Hamilton advocated and Jefferson opposed, on the constitutional ground that it was the exercise of unwarranted powers, the incorporation of the Philadelphia Bank. Hamilton favored and Jefferson opposed any legislation which might tend to create or encourage monopolies. These two able and distinguished men were the founders of the two schools of thought which, to a great extent, divided the people in their day, and for many years thereafter, and in some degree even to the present. Hamilton favored, Jefferson opposed, the assumption of the States' debts. And there were other subjects of disagreement. This conflict between two great minds brought discord into the President's official family. Both had the respect and confidence of Washington, and by both he was loved and venerated. Jefferson expressed his desire to retire from the Cabinet; but at Washington's earnest solicitation he continued at his post until some time after the second Presidential election. On January 1, 1794, he resigned, with Washington's consent, reluctantly given, and retired to his country home in Virginia. He was out |