President Garfield by C. W. Goodyear - a Review
Greetings all!
As I have noted recently on both Insta and TikTok, I read a ton of presidential biographies. I just like them - they are fun and if well written, worth investing the time with a genre where the books often number in the zillions of pages. As a lifelong history student I find there is a lot to learn from a decent biography. One can learn about leadership and statecraft at the executive level, historical context (of course) , and the political dynamics within that context - especially how policy decisions of historical presidencies affected ordinary people.
I’ve just finished a most excellent biography, President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by C. W. Goodyear. Garfield, as you probably know, holds the dubious distinction of being the second president felled by an assassin’s bullet - an event far eclipsed in historical memory by the previous murder of Abraham Lincoln, most certainly because of the gravity of the Lincoln era and also quite possibly because Garfield served only a few short months of his term in office and thus didn’t do all that much as president. But I will say this, everything leading up to that notorious event - his personal story and political life - is fascinating.
The book traces salient chapters in Garfield’s life - from his humble origins in Ohio, his pre-Civil War career in education and a short ministerial stint, his rather awkward courtship (if I read their relationship correctly) and marriage, the births and deaths of his many children, of course his Civil War exploits - especially at the Battle of Chickamauga, and his many terms in Congress.
The political stuff in this volume was what really captured my attention. Garfield, like many Republicans of his time, opposed the extension of slavery into new territories and states. Republicans founded their party, in part, on an anti-slavery platform, and its members sought to prevent the expansion of slavery into the western territories. As a Republican congressman, Garfield played a significant role in supporting anti-slavery measures and policies that aimed to limit the influence of slavery in the United States. Garfield's commitment to the Union cause during the Civil War further underscored his opposition to slavery. He served as a Union officer, rising to the rank of major general, and fought to preserve the Union and end the institution of slavery.
While Garfield opposed slavery, it's important to note that his postwar political career primarily focused on the aftermath of the conflict, the contentious Reconstruction era, and lingering sectionalism, where the emphasis shifted to issues of civil rights, economic policies, and the reconciliation of the nation.
Garfield was a strong advocate for civil service reform. He recognized the problems associated with the spoils system, where government jobs were awarded based on political patronage rather than merit. Garfield's efforts laid the groundwork for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which marked a significant step toward a more professional and non-partisan civil service.
Garfield was likewise deeply interested in education and believed in the importance of an educated citizenry. His early career included serving as the president of Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College), and he maintained a commitment to educational issues throughout his political career.
It’s clear after reading this book that Garfield worked best within the moderate wing of the Republican Party. Though during this time he was not an extreme figure, his willingness to navigate the factional divisions within the party and his pragmatic approach to politics reflected a moderation that sought to balance various interests.
What I found particularly interesting was his role in smoothing the feathers within the Republican Party. In fact, he played a crucial role in the context of the internal conflicts within his party, specifically the factional struggle between the conservative Stalwarts and moderate Half-Breeds. Charting a course between the traditional spoils system and civil service reform, Garfield deftly navigated the political landscape in a strategic manner.
As a compromise candidate, Garfield was nominated as a unifying figure who could potentially bridge the gap between the Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. His nomination was somewhat unexpected, and he did not actively seek the presidency. After winning the presidency in 1880, he faced the challenge of forming an administration that satisfied both Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. He appointed members from both factions to key positions, attempting to balance competing interests within the party. Notably, he appointed Half-Breed leader James G. Blaine as Secretary of State, aiming to appease that faction, while also including Stalwart figures in other cabinet positions.
And there’s of course some irony in this story - as Garfield really found his job tiresome, especially as it seemed most of all to involve meetings with ambitious office seekers. One of whom, disgruntled for failing to secure a promote post in the diplomatic corps, shot the president as he prepared to board a train out of town.
Having his presidency cut short, there’s really not much left to tell about his administration - though the description of his agonizingly slow death, not as a result of the gunshot wound, but of medical quackery, is well worth the read.
Goodyear tells a great tale - masterful story-telling paired with an analysis of the complexities of the era. And might I add, homie can write. I found several passages to be rather exquisite in execution. For example here’s an offering - a vivid and evocative scene as the president lay dying:
“Garfield was on the second-floor balcony of a cottage, his gaze fixed on a vista soothingly shaded in blues - the lapis of the ocean buttressing the softer pastels of the sky, a thin haze smudging them all together at the horizon. The president vastly preferred this perch to his bed, where nothing could distract him from a smothering tide of pus and mucus rising in his throat.” (477)
Seriously, get this book.
With compliments,
Keith