62 a short history of the united states
that harlot England.” At a dinner party in Virginia a toast was pro-
posed for the “speedy death” of General Washington. So offended was
the President by this brutal condemnation of his action that he refused
to run for a third term in office, and in 1796 , after a nasty campaign,
John Adams was elected over Thomas Jefferson to replace him. As
runner-up, Jefferson was chosen Vice President.
The rise of political parties, and the introduction of partisan politics
into the operation of the government, was a major turning point in
U.S. affairs. It began a new era in American history.