Former Delegate John Adams, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in a letter to Jonathan Jackson, co-founder of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, writes,

       There is nothing I dread So much, as a Division of the Republick [sic] into two great Parties, each arranged under its Leader, and concerting Measures in opposition to each other.  This, in my humble Apprehension is to be dreaded as the greatest political Evil, under our Constitution.

       [added 11/17/2024]