Democrats

Democrats, a political party in the United States. So early as Washington's first administration, a party known variously as Republicans or Democrats had already been formed, who desired to limit the federal power, and to increase that of the states and of the people; about 1808 the title of Republicans as synonymous with Democrats disappeared. See REPUBLICANS. Electing Jefferson president in 1801, the Democrats remained in power till 1841, and the administration was in their hands also in 1845-49, in 1853-61, and in 1885-89. Democratic presidents have been Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Polk, Pierce, Buchanan, Cleveland. For the positions taken by Democrats on the most prominent issues, see the article UNITED STATES. During President Cleveland's term of office the party committed itself to the principle of a reform of the tariff.