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.