Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle

[This is from my Inauguration Address, March 4, 1801. Note how I didn’t capitalize the words “republicans” and “federalists” (some published books of my writings erroneously capitalized those two words) because regardless of which party (label) we belong to, our similarities in actual ideals (not labels) are more than our differences as fellow Americans. I believe in both federalism and republicanism.]

Let us, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things. And let us reflect that having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions. During the throes and convulsions of the ancient world, during the agonizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long-lost liberty, it was not wonderful that the agitation of the billows should reach even this distant and peaceful shore; that this should be more felt and feared by some and less by others; that this should divide opinions as to measures of safety. But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all republicans — we are all federalists.