The Founders spoke out often against partisanship, notably George Washington in his farewell address, before they sadly succumbed to it themselves.
The Election of 1800, which Jefferson won, was a dirty contest featuring wild, salacious rumors about both candidates: the early American equivalent of “fake news.” And even legitimate news outlets were rabidly partisan.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/09/17/party-time/amp
After the Electoral College failed to produce a clear winner, and some wheeling and dealing in the House, Jefferson was selected as President by the House of Representatives.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1800_United_States_presidential_election
Check out the 1800 electoral vote map: A sharp geographical split between north and south. An ominous sign of what was to come 60 years later.
I don’t have to lecture you all on the Civil War, but I think everyone would agree it was the closest our country has ever come to tearing itself apart. 600,000 American lives were lost. If we agree on anything as Americans anymore, I hope we agree on this: Never again.
In many ways, our country has improved since its Founding, but in others it is just the same.
Let’s honor them by continuing to build on their project and the promise of America.
