When Jefferson and the Republicans rallied to the Union and to the existing Federalist organization, the fabric of traditional American democracy was almost completely woven.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Democracy as a system has evolved into something that Thomas Jefferson didn't anticipate.
Beyond any question, the way the American founders consistently linked faith and freedom, republicanism and religion, was not only deliberate and thoughtful, it was also surprising and anything but routine.
The thought about Republicans is, we're supposed to be Jeffersonian. That government governs the best that governs the least.
I think we're probably more unified than ever before because we're in a battle for survival. Not only for survival as the Republican Party, but survival of the check and balance system in our government.
When the Founding Fathers arrived here in Philadelphia to forge a new nation, they didn't come as Democrats or Republicans or to nominate a presidential candidate. They came as patriots who feared party politics.
First of all, there's no mention of political parties in the Constitution, so you begin American history with not only no political conventions but also no parties.
The history of American patriotism is figuring out ways that we can work together to move forward and knit together the common government.
The first phase of American political history was characterized by the conflict between the Federalists and the Republicans, and it resulted in the complete triumph of the latter.
During the election of Washington's successor, it became apparent that the country was sharply divided and that the dissatisfaction with Federalist policies was deep and fervent.
In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.