In this 1852 speech, Frederick Douglass reflects on the Declaration Independence's compromise striking out the condemnation of slavery in exchange for a unanimous vote by the 13 states to free themselves from British rule, asking, "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?"

This video from PBS delves into the failures (and few successes) of the original Articles of Confederation, examines how delegates settled on a two-house congressional system, and discusses the issues of slavery and proportional representation based on population, including the three fifths compromise that were imbedded in the Constitution.

The need for political parties and constructive compromise goes back to the founding of America.