Delmarva Heritage Series, by Dr. William H. Wroten, Jr.
John Dennis And The Election Of 1800
Salisbury Times - January 17, 1962
In the early days of our government under the Federal
Constitution, we did not have the democratic process for the selecting of
presidential candidates as we have today. The National Convention did not
come into fashion until around 1830. And, until the election of 1824, the
party caucuses in Congress dominated the choices of candidates.
Thus, in the interesting election of 1800, the presidential candidates
were selected by party caucuses in Congress. The Republicans (the present
Democratic Party) for the second time in a row supported Thomas Jefferson
and Aaron Burr. The Federalists (in a way the present day Republican
Party), with some misgivings renominated John Adams, with C. C. Pinckney
for vice president.
BUT IN THE meantime there had developed a major split within the
Federalist Party, and Alexander Hamilton, probably its leading member, was
determined to force President Adams from the scene. Most of the campaign
material published was by Federalists attacking one another. And, of
course the Republicans made good use of this. It was a very bitter
campaign, and one in which the religious issue played an important role.
Jefferson was accused of being anti-religious.
Although the Republicans received a majority of votes, 73 as against 65
for the Federalists, an unusual situation resulted. Not one of the
Republican electors had dared throw away his second vote, and so Jefferson
and Burr tied for first place with 73 votes each. Before the Twelfth
Amendment to the Constitution in 1804, each elector had two votes, not a
single vote for the President and a single vote for the vice president as
we have today.
THUS THE possibility of a tie between two candidates on the same ticket
became a reality. Now it was up to the House of Representatives, voting by
states, to choose between Jefferson and Burr. An opportunity was seen by
the Federalists to defeat their archenemy, Jefferson, by supporting Burr.
Aaron Burr, although he had been Jefferson's running mate, decided this
was a good opportunity to obtain the White House, and thus he favored a
corrupt plan.
Party division was so close and bitter that during 35 ballots, the
House of Representatives was unable to give a majority vote to either man.
Anger and bitterness had reached a point where there was even talk of
civil war.
All of this was avoided when Alexander Hamilton exerted his influence
upon some Federalists not to vote for Burr. History books have given
Hamilton much credit, and rightfully so, for the election of Jefferson as
the third President of the United States.
Yet a man from the Delmarva Peninsula also had an important role in
drama of American politics. John Dennis was one of the Federalists, who,
by withholding votes, enabled Jefferson to enter the White House instead
of Burr.
JOHN DENNIS was a member of a family, which has given many men into the
services of the state and nation. His branch of the Dennis family stems
from Donnach Dennis who settled in Maryland in 1660. John Dennis's
parents were Littleton Dennis and his wife Susanna, daughter of Col. John
Upshur of Northampton County on Virginia's Eastern Shore. John was born
on Dec. 17, 1771 at "Beverly," the family estate in Worcester
County. His pre-college education was undertaken at Washington Academy in
Princess Anne. Later he attended Yale, but did not graduate. He left
college to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1793. He began his law
practice in Somerset County, but before long was more active in politics
than law. In 1797 he was elected to the United States House of
Representatives, where he served on the Judiciary Committee which framed
the bases for the present judicial system of the United States. When the
plan was brought to the floor of the House he was the ablest supporter for
its adoption.
A FEW YEARS later, while still a member of the House, he had a vital
role to play in the famous disputed election of 1800. He had a majority of
the House been Jeffersonian Republicans, Thomas Jefferson would receive
their votes and been elected without trouble; however, the Federalists
were in control and felt that they were entitled to choose the one
(between Jefferson and Burr) who was least likely to do them harm. Neither
Jefferson nor Burr would make definite promises, but Burr did give the
impression that he would "cooperate" with the Federalists.
After the many fruitless ballots, three Federalists, who still could
not bring themselves to vote for Jefferson, cast blank ballots, and
Jefferson was elected by a majority of two states. One of the three to
cast a blank ballot was John Dennis of the Delmarva Peninsula.
THE SIGNIFICANCE of this event should not be overlooked. The people's
choice was now to occupy the President's chair, and at the same time a
type of democratic revolution came about in the young nation.
It was a courageous stand for Dennis to take, for this region was
rather strong in its support of the Federalists. Yet, Dennis' action
must have met with the approval of the voters, for he was re-elected to
his seat in Congress.
It was on his way to a session of the 10th Congress that he
was stricken, and died in Philadelphia on Aug. 17, 1807. He was buried
there in the famous Old Christ Church grounds.
Later, his son, John, was elected by the Whig Party to the House of
Representatives for the 25th and 26th Congresses.
The senior John Dennis' stand in the bitter, selfish
contest in the House between the various factions is a good example of
"profile in courage" and the placing of country above party.
John Dennis is another Delmarvan who has enriched our heritage.
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