The founders warned us of the evil power of money in politics and the danger of opposing parties — especially geographical divisions.
Neither the Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) nor the Constitution (ratified in June 1788) mentioned or provided for political parties. Not only did the United States begin without party government, but also when President Washington delivered his farewell address in 1799, he warned Americans against “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”
John Adams wrote in a letter in 1780: “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”
“I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.” GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 6, 1796.
The founders warned us of the evil power of money in politics and the danger of opposing parties — especially geographical divisions.
Neither the Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) nor the Constitution (ratified in June 1788) mentioned or provided for political parties. Not only did the United States begin without party government, but also when President Washington delivered his farewell address in 1799, he warned Americans against “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”
John Adams wrote in a letter in 1780: “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”
“I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.” GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 6, 1796.