of the kind follow, but nothing of the kind was even attempted.  Considering the fulminations of the Republicans during the last ten years of Federalist domination, Jefferson’s first Inaugural is a bewildering document.  The recent past, which had but lately been so full of dangers, was ignored; and the future, the dangers of which were much more real, was not for the moment considered.  Jefferson was sworn in with his head encircled by a halo of beautiful phrases; and he and his followers were so well satisfied with this beatific vision that they entirely overlooked the desirability of redeeming their own past or of providing for their country’s future.  Sufficient unto the day was the popularity thereof.  The Federalists themselves must be conciliated, and the national organization achieved by them is by implication accepted.  The Federalist structure, so recently the prison of the free American spirit, becomes itself a large part of the temple of democracy.  The Union is no longer inimical to liberty.  For the first time we begin to hear from good Republican mouths, some sacred words about the necessary connection of liberty and union.  Jefferson celebrated his triumph by adopting the work, if not the creed, of his adversaries.

The adoption by Jefferson and the Republicans of the political structure of their opponents is of an importance hardly inferior to that of the adoption of the Constitution by the states.  It was the first practical indication that democracy and Federalism were not as radically antagonistic as their extreme partisans had believed; and it was also the first indication that the interests which were concealed behind the phrases of the two parties were not irreconcilable.  When the democracy rallied to the national organization, the American state began to be a democratic nation.  The alliance was as yet both fragile and superficial.  It was founded on a sacrifice by the two parties, not merely of certain errors and misconceptions, but also of certain convictions, which had been considered essential.  The Republicans tacitly admitted the substantial falsity of their attacks upon the Federal organization.  The many Federalists who joined their opponents abandoned without scruple the whole spirit and purpose of the Hamiltonian national policy.  But at any rate the reconciliation was accomplished.  The newly founded American state was for the time being saved from the danger of being torn asunder by two rival factions, each representing irreconcilable ideas and interests.  The Union, which had been celebrated in 1789, was consummated in 1801.  Its fertility was still to be proved.