Jeffersonians, for the most part, were artisans, shopkeepers, frontier settlers, or owners of small farms in the interior regions of the South and West.

Jeffersonians favored a form of government that was more democratic than that of England.

Jeffersonians thought that the common people were capable of self-government. They wanted to establish a small property owner's democracy.

Jeffersonians desired to increase the opportunities for the common people to participate in government by lowering voting qualifications.

Jeffersonians favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution to limit the powers of the central government and conserve state rights.

Jeffersonians wanted to reduce the number of federal officeholders.

Jeffersonians favored freedom of speech and press.

"That...[internal] dissensions have taken place is certain, and even among those who are nearest to you in the administration. To no one they gien deeper concern than myself...
"That I have utterly, in my private conversations, disapproved of the system of the Secretary of the Treasury [i.e. Hamilton's economic program], I acknowledge and avow; and this was not merely a speculative difference. His system flowed from principles adverse to liberty, and was calculated to undermine and demolish the Republic, by creating an influence of his department over the members of the legislature. I saw his influence actually produced, and its first fruits to be the establishment of the great outlines of his project by the votes of the very persons who, having swallowed his bait, were laying themselves out to profit by his plans..."

"The aspect of our politics has wonderfully changed since you left us. In place of that noble love of liberty, and republican government which carried us triumphantly through the war, an Anglican monarchical, and aristocratical party has sprung up, whose avowed object is to draw over us the substance, as they have already done the forms, of the British government. The main body of our citizens, however, remain true to their republican principles; the whole landed interest is republican, and so is a great mass of talents. Against us are the Executive, the Judiciary, two out of three branches of the legislature, all the officers of the government, all who want to be officers, all timid men who prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty, British merchants and Americans trading on British [capital], speculators and holders in the banks and public funds..."