federalist

[Eng. federal; -ist.] 1. Gen.: A federal (q. v.). 2. Specially: American History : The name of an old political party. After the acknowledgment of the in depend. ence of the thirteen colonies by the mother country, the first task that confronted the succe ful revolutionists was the erection of a government and the formulation of a constitution. When the deliberative body upon whom devolved this duty met, it was discovered that there were various sentiments entertained by its members, these differences of opinion aligning themselves on opposite sides of the great question of organic union. One faction favored the erection of a nation with more or le absence of independence of its constituent mem. bers, while the other urged a federation of sovereign states, each one of which should retain its autonomy, and not be amenable to the general govern. ment any further than it by actual ce ion gave that government authority. The principal actors in the great drama of the revolution were divided on this question, those favoring a strong or national organic union being called federalists, and num. bering in their ranks such men as George Washing. ton, Alexander Hamilton, and others, while those favoring the sovereignty of the states were called republicans, and were equally fortunate in the great names that appeared upon their roll, among them being Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and others equally distinguished. The republicans in this contest were victorious, and thereby sowed the seed that led to the civil war of 1861-1865. Later in the history of the country the federalists became known as whigs, while the republicans were called democrats. fěd-er-al-ize, v. t. & i. [Eng. federal; -ize.] A. Trans.: To unite or bring together in a political confederacy. B. In trans.: To join or unite in a political confederacy. *fed-er-al-ne , s. [Eng. federal ; -ne .] The state of being federal or federate. ( Ash .) *fěd-er-ar-ỹ, *fěd-a-rỹ, s. [Lat. fœdus (gen. fœder is )=a treaty, league.] An accomplice, a confederate, a partner.