The 1800 election was a mess, comparable to 1824, 1876, 2000, and 2020. Both parties were convinced that a victory for the other meant the end of life as Americans knew it. Hamilton did his best to sabotage the Adams campaign. And then there was the whole Burr-Jefferson episode. Not much to admire there.
Except that Adams, gracelessly as usual, did in fact transfer power peacefully to Jefferson, and Jefferson did not set up a guillotine for Federalists in Washington. The moderation of both parties after the election set a precedent that made liberal democracy possible in America. It would be followed until January 6.