Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s November 1, 1800. I’m in Washington, D.C. with two presidential candidates, President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson.
JG: “Mr. President, what is the key Federalist position?”
JA: “Mr. Gillespie, the Republicans desire to weaken government. We must have a strong central government to protect the citizens.”
JG: “Mr. Vice President, what is the key Republican position?”
TJ: “John, the Federalists advocate too large a government. We must insist upon small government so as not to hurt the people.”
In one of the most bitter election campaigns in history, Thomas Jefferson tied Aaron Burr and eventually won on the 35th ballot.
Read more about the election of 1800.
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
