, 1922-08-24
HISTORY of the REPUBLICAN PARTY
ByDR A. KILL --

A study of the origin and history
OF the Republican party would not be
interesting without a brief esum of
the parties that had preceded It.
During the discussions incident to
the adoption OF the Constitution the
people became divided into two great
national political parties in the
autumn Of 1887. Those who de-
sired a strong general government.
and who had urged the people to ac-
cept h constitution, were known
as the Federalists. Those who
wished to give more power to the
state governments, and less to the
general government, were known as
the Anti-Federalists. Hamilton was
the leader Of the Federalist party
which elected Washington President
and John Adams Vice-President. The
opponents to Hamilton's measures as
Secretary OF the Treasury. led by
Jefferson. made the objection that
they assumed powers in the national
government which were not granted
to 1t by the constitution. During the
yea 1892. the various anti-Federal-
list factions had become cemented in
to n party through their efforts in
resisting the Federalists, but the
party still lacked a name. That OF
anti-Federalist was no longer ap-
plicable for its opposition to the
union had entirely ceased, and the
parties had become divided in the
only sound and healthy way possible
in a free country. namely into those
who wished to extend, and those who
wished to limit. the powers OF the
government. Neither party had been
consistent in applying its principles.
hut, in the main. Hamilton can be
called the founder of the Federalist
party. which had for its successors
the National Republicans Of 1928.
the Wings. of 1888 to 1852. and the
Republicans OF 1854 to the present
time; while Jefferson may be re-
garded as the founder OF the party
which. after ~discarding the old name
Of anti-Federalist, adopted that of
Democratic-Republican. This was
always the official party title. They
preferred to be called Republicans,
while their opponents called them
Democrats. an epithet which vas then
supposed to convey a stigma. How
ever the correct name for this party
was Republican from about 1892 to
1928, and since than it has been
known as the Democratic party.
At the request of both Federalists
and Republicans. Washington con-
scented to serve as President a second
time. so that the party contest was
narrowed down to the vice-presi-
dency. to which John Adams. the
Federalist candidate won over George
Clinton. the Republican candidate.
During this term the new French
Republic declared var on Great Brit
ain and Holland. n Washington Is
sued a proclamation OF neutrality be-
tween the French Republic and her
enemies. This proclamation at once
called down a storm Of rage and in
vective against him. He was assailed
by the press and accused of being an
enemy to France and republican In
situations. of disregarding a solemn
treaty, and Of usurping the powers
of Congress.
As Washington refused to be a
candidate for a third term. the cleo
ton OF 1895 was warmly contested
by the two parties. No formal nom
nations we're made. but 1t was un-
derstood that the Republican electors
would cast their votes for Thomas
jefferson and Aaron Burr. and the
Federalist electors for John Adams
and Thomas Pinckney. The prin-
ciples OF the two parties were dis
tinctly understood. The Republic
ans claimed to be the friends Of
liberty and the rights Of man. the ad-
vocates OF economy and the rights Of
the states. The Federalists claimed
support as the authors of the gov
eminent. the friends Of neutrality.
a and prosperity, and the direct
inheritors of Washington's policy.
Adams was elected president. n
Jefferson, according to the rule at
that time, having received the sec
ond highest number OF votes. be-
came vice-president.
By the spring of 1900 1t became
manifest that the Federalist party
was losing ground. and in the cleo
ton of tina year. Jefferson received
70 votes (electora), Burr received
70. Adams received IS. Pinckney re-
ceived "a. and Jay received /. There
was no highest name on the list. and
1t was left to the house OF representa-
tives to choose between the two
highest candidates. There was a
strong sentiment in the house for
Burr, but Hamilton exerted all his
Jefferson elected, Burr becoming
v~ice-president.
In the latter part Of 1903. during
the first session OF the eighth Con-
gress. the name OF the presidential
election was amended to the form
which 1t has at present, and at the
succeeding election. Jefferson and
Clinton were elected. Time has
prevented me from searching the
records to learn who the Federalist
candidates were. Jefferson refused
to be a candidate for a third term,
and at the election of 1908, James
Madison, Of Virginia, was chosen
president by the Republican. or. As II
now began to be called. the Demo
cratic party. Clinton was reelected
vice-president. The Federalist
candidates were C. C. Pinckney and
Rufus King. During this term GER
tain acts Of congress known as the
Embargo and Non-intercourse acts
80 irritated England that she forced