The tertium quids (sometimes shortened to quids) was a faction of the Republican Party during the early 1800s. The term "tertium quids" meant "a third something," and the group considered themselves the watchdogs of virtue in the United States. A faction is a group of people connected by a shared belief or opinion within a larger group. ... The Democratic-Republican Party is the label given by historians to one of the first two American political parties. ...

This group believed in strict constructionism. When Thomas Jefferson strayed from his strict construcitonism ideas the Quids criticised him sharply. Strict constructionism is a philosophy of judicial interpretation and legal philosophy that holds to the meanings of words and phrases as used when they were written down. ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13 (April 2 Old Style), 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States, second (1797–1801) Vice President, first (1789–1795) United States Secretary of State, and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect...

Leadership

The tertium quids was led by Virginia Senator John Randolph of Roanoke. State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Tim Kaine (D-Governor Elect) Senators John Warner (R) George Allen (R) Official language(s) English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... A senate is a deliberative body, often the upper house or chamber of a legislature. ... Autographed portrait of John Randolph John Randolph (June 2, 1773 - May 24, 1833) was a Representative and a Senator from Virginia, USA. He was born in Cawsons, Virginia, and was known as John Randolph of Roanoke to distinguish him from relatives. ...

Purpose

The tertium quids began in opposition to Thomas Jefferson's negotiations with Napoleon to purchase parts of Florida. The tertium quids never became a strong political entity. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 (April 2 Old Style), 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States, second (1797–1801) Vice President, first (1789–1795) United States Secretary of State, and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... State nickname: Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville (largest metropolitan area is Miami) Governor Jeb Bush (R) Senators Bill Nelson (D) Mel Martinez (R) Official language(s) English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ...