Jackson and federal power

“The papers tell you there are no parties now. Republicans and federalists [indeed] are all [combined]. This, my friend, is not so. The same parties exist now which existed before. But the name of Federalist was extinguished in the battle of New Orleans; and those who wore it now call themselves republicans. Like the fox pursued by the dogs, they take shelter in the midst of the sheep. They see that monarchism is a hopeless wish in this country, and are rallying anew to the next best point, a consolidated government. They are therefore endeavoring to break the barriers of state rights, provided by the constitution, against a consolidation.”

-Source: Thomas Jefferson to Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, UH Digital History, 1822