Adams was elected President, but Jefferson became Vice-President. (Constitution, Article II., § 1, T 3.) 291. Trouble with France Again; The "X. Y. Z. Affair." The 'French Revolution soon ran its course. From beheading the royal family, the leaders went to beheading each other. The Republic gave place to the Directory, a government managed by five men. They declared Jay's treaty an insult to France, captured American vessels, and drove our minister, General Pinckney, out of their country. JOHN ADAMS President Adams denounced the conduct of. France, called Congress in extra session, and sent John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry to join Pinckney in trying to treat with France. But the Directory sent agents to inform them that America could win the friendship of France only by paying a large bribe to each director. When Adams made his report to Congress he called these agents Mr. X., Mr. Y., and Mr. Z. Hence, the incident is called the "X. Y. Z. Affair." From the portrait painted by John Harvard University, Cambridge, The conduct of France raised a storm of indignation in this country, and the thrilling words, "Millions for defense; not one cent for tribute," became a rallying cry. France and her friends became unpopular in the United States, French flags were taken down, and French customs were dropped (§ 287). The people praised President Adams, and everybody sang the new and stirring song, "Hail Columbia." Congress increased the army, 1 Constitution, Article II., Sec. 3. provided for a Secretary of the Navy, and ordered new war vessels built.' War seemed certain. The only fighting, however, was done at sea, and after several American victories France was ready to make peace (1800). THE DECLINE OF THE FEDERALISTS 292. The Alien and Sedition Laws (1798). The Federalist party took advantage of the great unpopularity of France and her friends. Most of the foreigners in America were Republicans, who sympathized with France and hated England and the Federalists. They were trying, so the Federalists said, to break down all orderly government, as had been done in France. Two acts aimed at foreigners were passed by Congress. The first increased the time necessary before a foreigner could become a citizen from five to fourteen years. The second gave the President power to order any foreigner whom he considered dangerous to the government to leave the country. A third act aimed to punish, by fine and imprisonment, any one who, by writing or speaking, tended to bring the government into contempt. Although these laws were not very strictly enforced, they seemed so dangerous to liberty and so resembled laws lately made in England, that the Republicans began to regain their popularity. The Alien and Sedition laws, as the last two were called, hastened the downfall of the Federalist party. The affection of the people for their state governments was yet so great that they were inclined to view every new use of power by the nation with jealousy. 293. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (17981799). The most serious opposition to these laws came from Kentucky and Virginia. Their legislatures passed resolutions declaring: 1 Constitution, Article I., Sec. 8, ¶¶ 12, 13, 14. 1. That the Alien and Sedition acts are open violations of the Constitution. 2. That the Constitution is merely an agreement or "compact" between the states as equal partners. 3. That each state may decide whether a law is against the Constitution or not. Virginia said: "When Congress passes a law contrary to the Constitution, it is the duty of the states to interfere." Kentucky went further and declared that a state could THE OLD STATE HOUSE, FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY Here the Kentucky Resolutions, written by Jefferson, were passed "nullify" a law; that is, could stop it from being carried out within the limits of the state. Madison wrote the Virginia and Jefferson the Kentucky resolutions. 294. The Campaign of 1800 and the Defeat of the Federalists. The campaign of 1800 was a very bitter one. Adams and Jefferson were again the candidates. The Federalists were fighting to hold power; the Republicans, to gain it. The Federalists told the people that Jefferson and his party would ruin the country by undoing the great measures of Washington and Adams, and by introducing disorder and misrule into the gov ernment. The Republicans asserted that the Federalists were rapidly carrying the government towards monarchy, and were really afraid to trust the common people. To prove this they declared that President Adams was an aristocrat in feeling, and that the acts of his administration all pointed to a greater increase in the power of the national government than was permitted by the Constitution ($292). Then, too, Jefferson and his party talked about the high taxes and the heavy expenses of the Federalists. There was some truth in what they said, for in 1792 the government cost only about three million five hundred thousand dollars, but by 1800 the cost had grown to over ten million five hundred thousand dollars. Many believed that Jefferson would be more democratic and less extravagant in managing the government. JOHN MARSHALL From a portrait painted by Chester Harding, now in the Boston Athe naum As the campaign went on, the war of words grew hotter. Besides unpopular laws, quarrels among the Federalists helped defeat President Adams. 295. The Results of the Election. The victory of the Republican party was complete. The Federalists never regained power. Under the old way of voting for President it was possible to have not only a President and Vice-President of opposite parties, but also for the two candidates of the same party to receive the same number of electoral votes. Just this happened. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both Republicans, tied for the Presidency. The election then fell to the House of Representatives, where a long and exciting contest was held. Jefferson was finally elected by the aid of the Federalists. To avoid tie votes in the future the Constitution was amended so that the electors are now required to vote for one man for President and for another for Vice-President. (Constitution, Amendment XII.) The Federalists were sorry to give over the government to the Republicans, and, in the last days of their rule, President Adams appointed John Marshall, a Federalist, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Although the Republicans now came into power, this great judge continued in office for many years, and his decisions increased greatly the strength of the national govern ment. 2 296. The Capital Removed to Washington (1800). Washington himself had selected a tract of land ten miles square on the Potomac as the future home of the national government. To this place, called "The District of Columbia," came the officers with the records. What a change in passing from the city of Philadelphia to this new town in the midst of forests, where the streets were little better than roads cut through the woods! The government was not only to be in a new place, but also in the hards of a new party. 3 THE RULE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY JEFFERSON'S NEW POLICY 297. Jefferson's Ideas of Government; Republican Simplicity. Great was the joy of the Republicans when they saw their chief inaugurated, and celebrations were held in many parts of the country. Although Jefferson and Adams had worked together during the Revolution, they were very different in their ideas and actions. While Adams belonged to democratic New England and was accustomed to the town meeting, he was rather 1 Constitution, Article II., Sec. 2. ¶ 2. ? This area was later reduced to 60 sq. mi. exclusive of 10 sq. mi. of water surface. 3 Constitution, Article I., Sec. 8, ¶ 17. |