Jeffersonian Republicanism Essays - , Term Papers

Jeffersonian Republicanism After the extreme partisanship of 1800, it was expected by supporters and foes alike that the presidential administration of Thomas Jefferson would pioneer substantial and even radical changes. The federal government was now in the hands of a relentless man and a persistent party that planned to diminish its size and influence. But although he overturned the principal Federalist domestic and foreign policies, Thomas Jefferson generally pursued the course as a chief executive, quoting his inaugural address We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. With true republicans warming most of the seats of power throughout the branches, except in the Judiciary, he saw the tools of government as less of a potential instrument of oppression and more of a means to achieve republican goals. Jefferson assumed the presidency in the hopes that his election would represent the triumph of the true republican principles of the American Revolution; ......the defeat of those who had reverted in varying degrees to policies derived from monarchism. His first acts were to reduce the size of the government and to cut spending. He believed the strongest government was that which placed the lightest burden on its citizens. Such is meant in his inaugural address by Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. Although recognized as an intellectual and scholar, Jefferson was also undoubtedly the first president to become the leader of a political party. He skillfully made use of party politics in making assignations to office pursuing his legislative aims by entertaining members of Congress at the White House as a means of keeping himself in touch and them in line. Jefferson used the powers of his presidential office with an authority that Presidents Washington and John Adams would not have been permitted. His political moderation and enthusiasm to compromise land had won over many of the Adams Federalists. At the same time those Republicans who had rallied behind him in hopes of a radical exodus from previous administrations grew increasingly frustrated. Led by the vibrant and unconventional John Randolph, a group of Republicans in the House, who called themselves the Quids, meaning others, objected to what they interpreted as federalism in the administrations policies. Relying on the Vir ginia and Kentucky decisions, they advocated a strict construction of the Constitution and state rights. They became the most troublesome of the presidents opponents. After Republicans won majorities in both the House and the Senate, and the Federalist ticket was defeated for the presidency in 1800, the Federalists in Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801. Since appointments to the Federal bench came with a life time guarantee, they projected to extend their control of that branch of government. The Judiciary Act of 1801 created ten new positions on the Federal District Courts and a new category of appellate court, the circuit court of appeals, between the Supreme Court and the district courts. The act also reduced the size of the highest court by one justice. Before leaving office, President John Adams had appointed as many federalists to these new positions as he could. These appointments were known as the midnight appointments. Faced with a decidedly hostile Judicial branch, the Republicans quickly took steps to defy the Federalist moves. In March of 1802, Congress repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which eliminated the new judgeships and designated one Supreme Court justice and one district court judge to sit on the traveling appellate courts. Republicans in Congress, with Jeffersons support, then proceeded to impeach two federal justices who had openly attacked the administration from the bench. The first federal justice, John Pickering of New Hampshire, was mentally deranged presenting a constitutional predicament - His incompetence fell short of the requirement for removal (high crimes and misdemeanors). He was nevertheless convicted by the Senate and removed in 1804. Complaining that few died and none resigned, Jefferson removed some Federalists who had been assigned to high offices by George Washington and John Adams. He appointed no Federalists to high office and when there was a vacancy