PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 729 



construction of the Constitution was contended for by the Democratic-Repub- 

 lican party, (this party was commonly known as Republican, until 1812, when 

 it took the name Democratic, which name it has since retained) . The Fed- 

 eralists demanded the utmost flexibility consistent with good government. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1800. Received in the electoral college 73 votes. 

 His opponent, Aaron Burr, received 73 votes also. There being no choice, 

 the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. On the thirty- 

 sixth ballot, Mr. Jefferson received 10 votes and Mr. Burr 4. This result elected 

 Mr. Jefferson President, and Mr. Burr Vice-President. The political 

 parties were divided upon the "alien and sedition laws.' 1 By the one, the 

 President might order any foreigner whom he believed to be dangerous, out 

 of the country ; and by the other it was a crime, with heavy penalties, to 

 " write, print, utter, or publish any false, scandalous, or malicious writing 

 against either house of Congress or the President, with intent to defame or 

 bring either of them into contempt or disrepute." 



THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1804. Received in the electoral college 162 votes. 

 His opponent, Charles C. Pinckney, received but 14 votes. During Mr. Jeffer- 

 son's first term, many important measures, touching American institutions, 

 were brought to a successful termination ; such as the purchase of Louisiana 

 from France, additional amendments to the Constitution, and the repeal of 

 the odious "alien and sedition laws." His administration was so popular 

 that little opposition was made to his re-election. 



JAMES MADISON,. 1808. Received in the electoral college 122 votes. His 

 opponent, Charles C. Pinckney, received 47 votes. The political differences 

 entering into this contest were over the " embargo act." The war between 

 England and France was followed by decrees which prohibited American 

 trade with either. Also the right to search American vessels was claimed by 

 Great Britain. These demands led to the "embargo act," as a retaliatory 

 measure. 



JAMES MADISON, 1812. Received in the electoral college 128 votes. His 

 opponent, De Witt Clinton, received 89 votes. The War of 1812 with Eng- 

 land, and the cry of " Free trade and sailors' rights," carried Mr. Madison to 

 his second term, although opposed by a portion of the old Federalists and the 

 anti-Administration party. 



JAMES MONROE, 1816. Received in the electoral college 183 votes. His 

 opponent, Rufus King, received 34 votes. What was known as the " era of 

 good feeling" began at the close of the war, and but little opposition was 

 made to the election of Mr. Monroe. 



JAMES MONROE, 1820. Received every vote in the electoral college but 

 one, which was cast for John Quincy Adams. With such a unanimity of 

 choice, but little party difference was possible. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, 1824. The result of the vote in the electoral college 

 was, Andrew Jackson, 99; John Quincy Adams, 84; William H. Crawford, 

 41 ; Henry Clay, 37 no choice. For a second time the election of President 

 went to the House of Representatives, where Mr. Adams was chosen. The 

 main issues in this election were the questions of internal improvement, and 

 the American system of protective tariff. 



