“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” – John Adams, Letter to Jonathan Jackson (2 October 1780), “The Works of John Adams”, vol 9, p.511

As it turns out a challenge has been made about Adams having said today’s prior First Principle. In recognition that reliable sources can be wrong, I have added this First Principle for today.