Lottie's baptism ceremony took place at the same time as Christian and George's.
This was both earl Rogers' idea and Charles' greatest wish, hoping that Little Lottie could truly become an equal member of the family, enjoying equal rights and equal welfare.
Many socialites in Philadelphia, unaware of the truth, heard the news and mostly tried every possible way to attend the baptism ceremony, indirectly witnessing the fact that Little Lottie had become a member of the Comber family.
Currently, Little Lottie was undergoing this holy baptism ceremony as the adopted daughter of the Godfrey family and earl Rogers' daughter. The guests showed no repulsion towards this, coming forward one after another to express their blessings to Little Lottie, accepting and acknowledging her identity.
It's quite amusing to think that if Little Lottie had been identified as Charles' illegitimate daughter, probably the vast majority of guests attending the holy baptism today would have chosen to leave.
For them, accepting an illegitimate daughter was far more difficult than accepting the adopted daughter of a prominent family.
Even though America was a bit more liberal and open than Europe, its upper class had always been known for its conservatism. The strict demands of the Puritans were certainly no less stringent than those of Catholic religious rituals. Europeans looked down on illegitimate children, and Americans felt the same; even if their attitude towards them was slightly milder, the underlying discrimination was unavoidable.
But an adopted daughter was different; this aligned perfectly with the European and American standard of using charity to judge moral character. Aside from not necessarily inheriting family property, an adopted daughter enjoyed the same treatment as children from normal families in all aspects of social life. Those who attended the baptism ceremony even felt like they were participating in a charitable event, so they naturally came enthusiastically.
Moreover, attending Little Lottie's baptism this time was not only about getting acquainted with the Comber family, but also about showing goodwill to the girl's godfather, Jefferson.
Ever since the Comber family's two children recognized famous individuals as their godfathers, people no longer viewed their children's godfathers in the same way as witnesses to religious ceremonies in ordinary families. They knew that their godfathers were not only witnesses to the religious ceremony but also moral guides and secondary guardians for the children's future lives.
Attending such a ceremony naturally also meant giving face to that godfather.
Jefferson was also very happy that so many people came to Little Lottie's baptism ceremony. Such a beautiful and lovely child had already won his heart, and he indeed treated Little Lottie almost like his own daughter.
After this ceremony, Little Lottie truly entered Philadelphia's high society, and after her coming-of-age ceremony, she would smoothly enter the upper-class social circles, becoming a member of the upper-class social circle from then on.
This was actually what Charlotte had always hoped for. When the news of Little Lottie's holy baptism reached Pittsburgh, the child's mother cried with joy and sadness.
Charles did not have time to pay attention to the news from his lover in Pittsburgh. He was currently busy with this year's election affairs.
Charles' personal relationship with Jefferson and Adams remained very good. However, the struggle between political parties continued.
In June 1783, the re-election for the House of Representatives officially began.
Over these four years, the American population, influenced by immigration to various places and the annexation of Quebec and the Ohio River region, had already surpassed three million. Although only one-third of the House of Representatives was being re-elected this time, there were still nearly fifty new members.
Under Charles' direct control, the Republican Party's advantage in such a widespread election was undeniable. Although there would inevitably be situations where they unexpectedly lost in some very confident constituencies, overall, they secured half of the seats, controlling over twenty seats, and this outcome was not changed by any surprise.
They even gained three more seats in Georgia in the South, thanks to their firm support on the Florida issue and with the help of governor Feilloux.
However, the biggest upset and highlight of this election was not the Republican Party's overwhelming victory in securing more than half the seats, but rather the Federalist Party's mere four seats in Massachusetts, with all other areas being lost. Including their previous defeat in the Senate re-election, the Federalist Party's influence in Congress was already less than half of what it was initially.
The Democratic Party, on the other hand, took the vast majority of seats in Virginia and the North and South Carolina, plus scattered seats in other states, totaling eighteen seats, becoming the second largest party in the House of Representatives after the Republican Party. Adding their original seats, they now held nearly one-third of the seats in the House of Representatives, and with just a few more Federalist Party members absorbed, a single party's ability to veto important bills would be within reach.
The Federalist Party's crushing defeat and the Democratic Party's minor victory caused a huge stir in American politics. The Federalist Party, having just experienced the turmoil of amending the Presidential election method, once again saw great upheaval.
Fortunately, the Presidential election was just around the corner, and everyone was basically preparing for a final push. Charles and Jefferson dared not haphazardly recruit Federalist Party members, and Adams also introduced extremely strict party discipline and rules, requiring Federalist Party members to unite and collectively face the party's difficulties.
Under such circumstances, although the impending storm was evident, no major upheavals ultimately occurred.
However, even if the Federalist Party did not split this time, many farsighted politicians still saw that the Federalist Party's decline was inevitable. Naturally, there were many behind-the-scenes actions.
During a discussion with Madison about campaign arrangements, Charles gave Madison instructions regarding this matter:
"Mr. Madison, during your tenure as Attorney General, you became very familiar with those Federalist legal and industrial and commercial figures. If possible, during this Presidential election, you can appropriately win them over! Whether it's bringing them into the Federal Government or into our Republican Party, there's no problem."
Madison, as a politician, naturally observed the Federalist Party's situation. He was not surprised by Charles' arrangement. However, he was very puzzled as to why Charles would approach him.
"Charles, why would you think of asking me to win over those Federalist Party members? Why not you? As the uncrowned leader of the northern industrial and commercial circles, you have the greatest influence over them; only your presence can better win them over!"
As the former Attorney General and current Vice Presidential candidate, Madison's relationship with Charles was still very equal and harmonious.
"I am the party chairman, so it's naturally inappropriate for me to come forward; that would only bring them to the Republican Party, which would be a loss of their talent and a big challenge for our party competition. If you come forward in the name of the Federal Government, Adams won't find a reason and won't be able to declare war on our Republican Party!" Charles immediately stated his reasons.
"Haha!" Madison shook his head helplessly. "Although I had a lot of contact with them when I was Attorney General, it was definitely not to the extent that I could influence them to change parties. Why not let Mr. President come forward? His influence is also greater than mine!"
"No! Because you are our Republican Party's Vice Presidential candidate, you are the most suitable person to come forward. If Mr. President appears to win them over, his influence would be too great, which might cause dissatisfaction from the Democratic Party and other individuals. You are the most suitable representative for Benjamin and the Republican Party," Charles said with a smile.
Once the Federalist Party collapses, ordinary party members will join the Republican Party without the need for recruitment, due to similar party ideologies and aligned interests, having no other choice. However, for the core members and excellent talents of the Federalist Party, if they are not offered suitable incentives and quickly recruited, they would rather form a new party than become ordinary members of the Republican Party. And suitable incentives, as a political organization, the Republican Party naturally cannot offer much; only during the formation of the Federal Government and Cabinet can some benefits be provided to satisfy them.
However, if Franklin were to personally approach those core Federalist figures, his influence would be too great and it would be too demeaning. Naturally, Madison, as the Vice Presidential candidate, was the most suitable person to come forward.
Madison fully understood Charles' subtle phrasing.
He was naturally a clever man, and under Charles' clear hint, he immediately understood his plan and did not refuse, merely raising a question about whether the Federalist Party was suitable for recruitment.
"The Federalist Party has only suffered a minor setback in the House of Representatives election. When the method of Presidential election was changed previously, the situation was even more dangerous, yet Mr. Washington and Mr. Adams still managed to overcome it together. How can this small setback now necessarily lead to their collapse?"
"No! I didn't say they would collapse; I just want you to recruit as many of their core talents as possible." Charles shook his head, denying Madison's speculation.
"Haha!" Madison laughed, his face full of confusion, and he said:
"I don't understand this. If their party as a whole doesn't collapse, how can I successfully recruit their people?"
Charles raised his hand, indicating that he understood Madison's concern and told him not to rush, but to listen to his explanation.
"I believe that under the leadership of General Washington and Mr. Adams, the Federalist Party will absolutely not completely collapse due to one or two election failures. However, having now experienced the failure of the House of Representatives election, coupled with the upcoming Presidential election, their defeat is basically set. At that time, wise individuals within the Federalist Party, excluding General Washington and Mr. Adams, will certainly see the key reason for the Federalist Party's failure, thereby seeking another path to pursue political correctness!"
"Oh! The key reason for the Federalist Party's failure?" Madison looked confused, "What is that?"
"Hahahaha! Of course, it's because they chose the same governing philosophy and the same representative interests as our powerful Republican Party!" Charles burst out laughing.
"Uh..." Madison was speechless for a moment.
"This should be considered that their insight is as brilliant as ours. Just as I joined the Republican Party mainly because I value the Republican Party's political philosophy, which can better represent American interests. Similarly, the Federalist Party is actually the same; if they handle it well, they might even share political interests equally with us. I believe Mr. Washington and Mr. Adams, their political leadership abilities, can absolutely rival the most outstanding talents in our party. Therefore, I have always believed that the Federalist Party is a more dangerous existence for our Republican Party than the Democratic Party. How can you, on the contrary, think this is the root cause of their failure?" Madison, of course, did not agree with Charles' statement.
"Well... General Washington and Mr. Adams are, of course, outstanding talents, and I also believe our political philosophy represents the interests of America, but..." Charles' next words were a bit hard to articulate.
His strong belief in the Federalist Party's victory naturally stemmed from his knowledge that surpassed current history, knowing a large number of modern campaign tactics, and even dark political dealings. But of course, it was embarrassing to say such things, and even if he did, the "Father of the Constitution" before him might not agree.
"But they chose to be our adversaries, so we have no choice but to try every means to weaken them, or even eliminate them, is that it?" Madison, however, came up with the reason himself.
After hearing his words, Charles did not express approval or disapproval. At this time, silence, on the contrary, allowed Madison to think in the most ideal direction.
Madison indeed acknowledged Charles' reaction.
He secretly understood that although Charles had reached a point of unscrupulousness in political struggles, he still lacked the courage to openly say such despicable and vicious words. For such a party leader, Madison felt a sense of regret, but also a slight relief.
However, no matter what, he no longer had any doubts about the task Charles had assigned him to win over the Federalist Party, and he would try every possible means to do so. But as a mature politician, he demanded full authority in this matter, meaning he could freely use various methods within his power, and Charles and Franklin should not interfere.
Charles had no objection to his request.
Madison was Madison after all, not only the "Father of the Constitution" but also a future President. Giving him freedom would certainly allow him to exert his strength more effectively than controlling him.
This was also the beginning of Madison's gradual ascent in the Republican Party after Franklin.