Throughout history, the heirs of James Garfield discussed openly about his impressive career but avoided talking about his untimely death. We were aware what had happened, that he was shot in a railway depot,” reflects one of his family members. “We studied the story in publications but, somehow, we just skimmed through it.”
This shifted in 2011 with the release of a historical book, which sparked curiosity in Garfield's truncated career. The publication has now inspired a Netflix drama titled the historical drama, starring a talented performer as the national leader and another skilled actor as the wanderer who shot him.
The series promises to shine a light on Garfield, who rose from poverty to the highest office during the historical period only to fall victim to its deep political rifts. His tenure was truncated after only half a year not only by the killer's weapon but by physician mistakes – an event now largely forgotten while the killings of the Civil War president and President Kennedy continue to fascinate the public.
“It's impossible not to respect what he did. He was incredibly versatile: he was a attorney, he was a preacher, he was a land worker. He was so many things which also formed his character and his behavior and everything that we know about him the descendants preserve with us.”
Garfield was the final national leader raised in rustic conditions in Cuyahoga County in 1831. His dad perished when he was 18 months old, leaving his mother, Eliza, to raise five children in difficult circumstances. An voracious learner, Garfield labored on waterways to earn money for an schooling.
He studied law, was ordained as minister, became head of a school in Ohio and was a state senator. In 1858 he wed a educational contemporary, his future wife, with whom he would have multiple offspring. An ardent Unionist, Garfield viewed the civil war as a righteous fight against forced servitude and advanced to the officer status.
“During my investigation, I couldn't believe it. He was remarkably smart. He was fearless. He was innovative for the period. He was kind. He was a decent human being and would have been one of our great presidents had he remained alive.”
Garfield was convinced by Lincoln to resign his military commission when he was selected to the Congress, where he would function as a party member for nearly two decades. He was strong supporter of black suffrage, viewing it as a matter of justice and the realization of a conflict agreement.
“The address he delivered on the House chamber will move you deeply. He was an remarkable speaker and this matter was deeply meaningful to him.”
At the party gathering in Chicago the political organization was fundamentally fractured between the “faction members”, led by Senator Roscoe Conkling, who supported a additional presidency for former president, and the “rival group”, who supported James G Blaine. Garfield attended as a backer of his close associate John Sherman.
When the massive gathering was deadlocked between Grant and Blaine, delegates began looking for a solution. Garfield's emotional address proposing Sherman caught their attention. During the speech, he reportedly exclaimed, “And now, delegates, what do we want?” to which a audience member unexpectedly replied, “We want Garfield!”
On the 36th ballot, a stampede of delegates made Garfield the surprise nominee. To appease the Stalwart faction, the vice presidential pick, a political ally from New York, was chosen as his running mate. In the presidential race Garfield beat the rival politician to become the sole representative of the House ever to be selected for the highest office.
“What would have made Garfield great and what is remarkably uncommon and maybe particular about the American presidency is he hadn't campaigned aggressively. It's not that he had entirely ignored the possibility but he was thrust into it.”
The central struggle of Garfield's limited administration was his disagreement with Conkling over the “patronage network”. Conkling demanded control over federal patronage in New York, particularly the powerful and lucrative post of port authority. Garfield declined, stating the issue was “if the commander-in-chief should be registering clerk of the senate or the presidential authority”. He nominated a opponent of Conkling to the post.
The confrontation turned into a public battle but Garfield outsmarted Conkling in the Senate. Facing a humiliating public defeat, Conkling and his colleague resigned their seats in protest. The next day, Garfield's selection was ratified. It was a landmark victory for the presidential control over the faction system and for the improvement efforts over “political control”.
But even as Garfield confronted influential people of his party, he was being stalked by a mentally unstable individual who exemplified the problematic element of the political appointment process. The assassin was a wanderer with a history of career disappointments, psychological problems and physical and psychological abuse. He had not succeeded as a lawyer, bill collector, preacher and member of a free-love commune.
“He was psychologically disturbed and his unique form of delusion was fantasy. He always believed that religious calling for importance. He actually had financially a better start than Garfield but where Garfield succeeded and advanced, Guiteau could not accomplish anything.”
But Guiteau believed he had eventually located a pathway to success: politics. Swept up in the events of the presidential race, he prepared and gave an minor oration, and became convinced in his own mind that he was personally instrumental for Garfield's victory.
Under this logic, Guiteau determined he had deserved a important role. He went to the capital and relentlessly pestered Garfield, Blaine and other authorities, requiring to be made the foreign service officer — a position for which he had inadequate skills. He became such a nuisance that he was eventually prohibited from the White House.
On 2 July 1881, just a short time into his presidency, Garfield was leaving Washington for his alumni event. As he passed through the train depot, Guiteau stepped from the shadows, withdrew an weapon from his coat pocket and shot the president twice in the back.
Garfield exclaimed: “What's happening?” and fell on the waiting area. When a {police officer|law
Elara is a seasoned writer and digital storyteller with a passion for exploring diverse literary genres and empowering others through words.
