The Sedition Act of 1798 :: Government American History Papers

For the first few years of Constitutional government, under the leadership of George Washington, there was a unity, frequently calledFederalism that even James Madison (the succeeding(a) architect of the Re existenceanParty) acknowledged in describing the Republican form of government-- And harmonise to the degree of pleasure and pride we feel in beingrepublicans, ought to be our zeal in cherishing the spirit and supportingthe character of Federalists. Although legislators had seriousdifferences of opinions, political unity was considered absolutelyessential for the stability of the nation.Political parties or cabalswere considered evil as Complaints are everyplace heard from our mostconsiderate and virtuous citizens, every bit the friends of public andprivate faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments aretoo unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rivalparties, and that measures are too oft decided, not according to therule s of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the winnerforce of an interested and overbearing majority_ Public perception offactions were related to British excesses and thought to be the mortaldiseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished. JamesMadison wrote in Federalist Papers 10, By a faction, I understand anumber of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of thewhole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or ofinterest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent andaggregate interests of the community. He went on to explain that factionis part of human nature that the CAUSES of faction cannot be removed, andthat relief is only to be sought in the federal agency of controlling its EFFECTS. The significant point Madison was to make in this render was that the Unionwas a safeguard against factions in that even if the influence of obstinateleaders may kindle a flame within their bad-tem pered States, they will beunable to spread a general conflagration through and through the other States.What caused men like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to hold in traditionand public perceptions against factions and build an opposition party? Did they finally give with Edmund Burkes famous aphorism When bad mencombine, the good must harmonise else they will fall, one by one, anunpitied sacrifice in a pitiful struggle? Did the answer lie intheir opposition with the agenda of black lovage Hamilton and the increases ofpower both to the executive branch as well as the legislative branch ofgovernment?