Political Parties Did Not Exist
In the beginning, the American political landscape was void of political parties. In 1789 the first federal congress was formed. Sixty-five House members and twenty-six Senators were sent to Federal Hall in New York City (i) to represent the landed men (ii) who elected them. The newly elected President, George Washington, formed the first American administration. This all took place without involvement or interference from any political party.
Old Scratch saw this highly charged yet harmonious democracy taking shape, and he was troubled. To gain leverage in this young America he declared: “Let the factions form political parties that will forever divide the American people”. And so it was, even before the end of George Washington’s term, political parties began to form out of two factions. One camp led by George Washington’s friend and Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a strong central government. The other faction led by George Washington’s friend and Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, argued for states’ rights. Showing an instinct for political prophecy, George Washington anticipated the troubles that lie ahead if political parties formed. In his farewell address President Washington urged his countrymen to turn away from party formation, or as he described it: the “Spirit of party”.
“Let me now take a more comprehensive view, & warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party…” .
George Washington’s Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
George Washington also predicted that, once parties formed, the elected would switch their primary obligation from the electorate to the will and advancement of their party.
“George Washington also predicted that, once parties formed, the elected would switch their primary obligation from the electorate to the will and advancement of their party.”
George Washington’s Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Today, Americans sense their loss of representation in the U.S. Congress. They watch as their newly elected representative’s passion to represent the people back home is co-opted by powerful party leaders whose only passion is to grow party power. George Washington’s prediction of a party infused disconnect between people and their elected representatives has come true.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the president warned of foreign intrusion into our political system as political parties attempt to gain strength.
“It [spirit of party] opens the door to foreign influence & corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and will of another.”
George Washington’s Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Okay, enough history; it’s enough to understand that there was a brief period when political parties did not exist in the United States and democracy was s(ii) The term: Landed Men, refers to the fact that, in the earliest national elections, only men who owned land were eligible to vote. In most states, men without property and women were largely prohibited from voting.trong. It is enough to know that someone as admired and as powerful as George Washington railed against political parties. Of course, we cannot turn back time; we cannot outlaw party formation. So, what can be done? The Multipartists’ approach is to flood the electoral process with so many options that big money cannot fill every coffer, leaving oligopolistic power drowning in tidalwave of nonaligned freshmen representatives. To date, third party and independent candidates have received little encouragement from you, the electorate. Fortunately, against all odds, they keep running for office. If you really want change in Washington D.C., give these brave nonaligned candidates your first consideration. Let’s get started.
(i) The First United States Congress, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, convened in Federal Hall in New York City.
(ii) The term: Landed Men, refers to the fact that, in the earliest national elections, only men who owned land were eligible to vote. In most states, men without property and women were largely prohibited from voting.