The new government had been set in operation under the supervision of Washington, as the first President of the Republic.

The people, influenced by certain "elective affinities," had become sundered into two great political parties--Conservative and Progressive, or Federal and Democratic.

Both were distrustful of the Constitution.

The former believed it too weak to consolidate a government capable of protecting its subjects in the peaceful enjoyment of their rights, from discord within, and attacks from without.

The latter apprehended that it might easily be transformed, by some ambitious Napoleon, into an instrument of oppression, more fearful even than the limited monarchy from which they had but recently escaped, at an expense of so much blood and treasure.