PDF Summary:Destiny of the Republic, by Candice Millard

Destiny of the Republic chronicles the extraordinary life and tragic death of James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States. Candice Millard paints a vivid portrait of Garfield's journey from modest beginnings to the heights of political power, and the chaotic power struggles that plagued his brief presidency.

The narrative reaches its climax in the events surrounding Garfield's assassination by the delusional office-seeker Charles Guiteau. It details how medical ignorance, not the gunshot wound itself, ultimately led to the president's death and spurred sweeping reforms in the civil service. This illuminating account offers a window into a pivotal chapter in American history.

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It was a difficult task for Garfield to manage his administration effectively while also dealing with the strong desires of individuals eager to join his government amid significant pressure from different factions.

Millard highlights the significant burden that the system of political favoritism placed on Garfield during his presidency. Garfield often personally interacted with everyone who sought government jobs, a duty that consumed a considerable amount of his time each day. Millard notes that the relentless onslaught of requests for governmental appointments not only hindered his lofty policy goals but also drew the focus of a mentally unstable person looking to exploit the tumultuous political environment.

The constant quest for political appointments greatly impeded Garfield's ability to lead effectively.

Millard portrays Garfield as being overwhelmed by a relentless wave of people seeking employment in the public sector. He frequently met people who were keen to display their credentials, pushing their resumes and letters of recommendation towards him. The relentless barrage of meetings and dialogues left the President feeling both irritated and drained of energy. Garfield lamented that his focus was drawn away from the pivotal responsibilities of governance due to these requests, a circumstance that would ultimately reveal its grave consequences.

President Garfield's efforts to mend the rifts between factions without compromising his independence intensified the discord, ultimately leading to Conkling's resignation.

Millard describes how Garfield carefully crafted an administration that steered through the treacherous political rift between the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds. He sought to appease Conkling by appointing several of his allies to key positions, while also asserting his autonomy from the influence of any specific faction. The mounting pressures from Conkling made it increasingly difficult to maintain this balance, Millard notes. The situation intensified as Garfield appointed Judge William Robertson to manage the New York Customs House, which Conkling had considered his own territory. Conkling stepped down in a huff, anticipating that his exit from the Senate would force his loyal New York legislative supporters to push Garfield into backing down. The writer notes that Conkling's tactics gradually resulted in his political seclusion and a reduction in his influence. This brief period of success allowed Garfield to assert his authority and begin implementing his extensive agenda.

Other Perspectives

• The political competition within the Republican Party, while intense, may not have been the sole or direct cause of the murder; other factors could have contributed to the act.
• The portrayal of the rivalry between the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds might oversimplify the complexities of political alliances and individual motivations within the party.
• Conkling's opposition to civil service reforms could be viewed as a principled stand for the patronage system that was widely accepted at the time, rather than mere obstructionism.
• Blaine's actions, while strategic, could be interpreted as equally driven by personal ambition and not solely by a desire to support Garfield or improve government functioning.
• Garfield's struggle with managing his administration could be seen as a common challenge faced by many presidents, not unique to his situation.
• The pursuit of political appointments has been a long-standing aspect of American politics, and its impact on Garfield's governance might be overstated or comparable to the experiences of other historical figures.
• Garfield's attempts to reconcile factions could be criticized for not being forceful or decisive enough, potentially exacerbating the discord rather than mitigating it.
• The idea that Garfield's balancing of factions led to Conkling's political isolation could be challenged by suggesting that Conkling's own actions and political miscalculations were the primary reasons for his downfall.

The medical complications that followed Charles Guiteau's assassination attempt ultimately led to the demise of President Garfield.

The narrative then shifts to the tragic events that precipitated the abrupt end of President Garfield's administration. Millard's narrative delves into the assassination and the inadequate medical care that played a crucial role in sealing President Garfield's fate.

A descent into madness: Guiteau was under the delusional belief that fate had selected him to meticulously orchestrate the president's murder.

In this segment, Millard presents a disturbing portrayal of Charles Guiteau, whose illusions and intense craving for fame culminated in the lamentable assassination of President Garfield. Millard explores the roots of Guiteau's psychological disturbances, emphasizing the difficulties he faced during his early years and the influence of a strict religious sect that molded his skewed perspective on life.

The lasting legacy of the Oneida Community: Guiteau grew up among a community that stressed the importance of flawlessness, influencing his distorted worldview and fueling his ambition for fame.

Millard delves into the early influences on Guiteau, focusing on his experiences within the Oneida Community, a group that pursued utopian socialism under the guidance of the persuasive John Humphrey Noyes. This harrowing experience, Millard argues, profoundly shaped his belief in his distinctiveness and a sense of entitlement that drove his ill-fated quest for fame. The writer illustrates that Guiteau's persistent inability to satisfy Noyes' standards culminated in his exclusion from the group. This event, as emphasized by Millard, sowed deep-seated feelings of bitterness and a desire for vengeance within Guiteau against those who rejected him. Guiteau's profound bitterness and unwavering belief in his own importance ultimately led him to perpetrate an act of violence against the leader of the country.

From office seeker to assassin: Guiteau's relentless pursuit of a White House appointment, his frustration with Garfield's refusal, and his belief that he was divinely inspired to remove the president

Millard depicts Guiteau as obsessed with securing a governmental role, fueled by a delusional conviction of his pivotal role in the political sphere. Guiteau believed that his ordinary campaign speech was instrumental in Garfield's victory and thus felt he deserved a diplomatic position for his contributions. Despite receiving polite but firm rejections to his persistent requests for a position, Guiteau's delusions grew stronger. Convinced that he was chosen by divine providence for this mission, he perceived his role as the one to eradicate the threat he believed the president posed to the welfare of the Republican Party and the nation. Guiteau believed that by carrying out what he perceived as a divinely sanctioned task, he would also achieve the extensive admiration and acknowledgment he deeply desired.

Garfield's initial endurance of a wound that should not have been lethal was met with the tragic twist of receiving substandard medical treatment, which resulted in a prolonged and excruciating demise due to infection.

Millard recounts the tragic irony of Garfield's death, noting that while he had survived the initial gunshot wound, which was not in itself fatal, he succumbed to a massive infection brought on by the inadequate medical care of the time. The book by Millard highlights the disastrous outcomes of the time, particularly the widespread neglect of sterile techniques recommended by a trailblazing medical professional.

The 19th-century disregard for antiseptic procedures, as advocated by Lister, played a substantial role in the intense suffering and eventual death of President Garfield.

Millard provides a thorough analysis of the treatment administered to Garfield, highlighting that the medical practices intended to cure him at the time inadvertently contributed to his demise. Millard contrasts the unhygienic methods employed by the physicians who treated Garfield with Joseph Lister's revolutionary advancements in antiseptic techniques, which had profoundly changed surgical practices throughout Europe. Despite the irrefutable evidence supporting Lister's research, Garfield's medical team, led by the authoritative Dr. D. Willard Bliss, considered these methods unnecessary and possibly detrimental. The physicians' unhygienic practices during their examinations and incisions led to the introduction of harmful bacteria, which caused a grave infection that ultimately led to the president's demise. Millard argues that the untimely death of President Garfield was a consequence of the American medical community's haughty rejection of scientific progress.

Garfield demonstrated remarkable fortitude and composure, maintaining his dignity while enduring intense suffering, solitude, and numerous medical procedures.

Millard presents a moving portrayal of the remarkable resilience Garfield exhibited throughout his extended ordeal. Even as he endured intense pain, Garfield maintained his inherent positivity, compassion, and eagerness to learn, despite undergoing numerous medical procedures and facing periods of isolation. Millard notes Garfield found solace in the company of his family, his engagement with literature, and his unwavering faith. Even when faced with the potential end of his life, Garfield continued to exhibit composure and grace. Millard contends that his unyielding spirit and the perpetual strength of hope are exemplified by his brave and dignified demeanor during times of extreme distress.

Other Perspectives

• The assertion that Guiteau's upbringing in the Oneida Community was a direct influence on his distorted worldview could be challenged by noting that many individuals raised in unconventional or strict religious environments do not go on to commit violent acts, suggesting that individual psychological factors and personal choices also play a significant role.
• While Guiteau's exclusion from the Oneida Community is cited as a factor in his bitterness and desire for vengeance, it could be argued that such feelings could have developed independently of this exclusion, as a result of other personal failures or frustrations.
• The idea that Guiteau was solely motivated by a belief in divine inspiration to assassinate the president might be oversimplified, as political assassinations are often the result of complex and multifaceted motivations, including mental illness, personal grievances, and broader political or social factors.
• The claim that Garfield's death was due to substandard medical treatment and infection might be nuanced by acknowledging that medical knowledge and practices at the time were evolving, and even well-intentioned and skilled doctors were limited by the contemporary understanding of medicine and disease.
• The criticism of the 19th-century medical community for disregarding antiseptic procedures could be countered by recognizing that the adoption of new scientific ideas often faces institutional inertia and skepticism, which is a natural part of the scientific process and not unique to that era or to the medical profession.
• While Garfield is portrayed as demonstrating remarkable fortitude and composure, it could be argued that such portrayals may romanticize or idealize his response to suffering, potentially overlooking the more human aspects of his experience, including any moments of doubt, fear, or despair he may have had.

The premature demise of Garfield left a significant and lasting impact, signifying an important point in the annals of history.

Millard explores how the tragedy of Garfield's passing resonated deeply across the United States, suggesting it not only unified the populace but also catalyzed major transformations. Political figures and ordinary citizens alike faced the necessity to address the shortcomings in their system of governance that allowed for such an irrational deed, which led to the implementation of crucial reforms.

The country united in its grief, showing a shared sense of loss and solidarity for Garfield that transcended partisan and regional boundaries.

Millard depicts the deep grief that swept across the nation following Garfield's death, highlighting how this sadness transcended political and geographical divisions within the United States. The nation was in the process of recovering from the wounds inflicted by internal conflict, and President Garfield's period in office offered a chance for harmony and mending of relations. The assassination of the president shattered these hopes, but paradoxically, it also served to bring the nation together.

The assassination marked a pivotal moment that cultivated unity and renewed commitment to common principles after an extended phase of political strife.

Millard argues that the profound sorrow caused by the passing of Garfield served to bring the nation together. The nation found itself united by a wave of sorrow and indignation that bridged its deep political divisions. The assassination emphasized the fragility of democratic foundations and the vital importance of unity across the entire country.

The realization that the stability of the country could be threatened by the deeds of just one unstable individual heightened the sense of its vulnerability.

Millard argues that Garfield's assassination significantly eroded the trust of the American populace in their governing institutions. The realization that a single, delusional individual could significantly alter the trajectory of history instilled a deep sense of vulnerability. This awareness, Millard suggests, prompted a national reckoning, forcing Americans to confront the need for greater security and to address the underlying social and political conditions that could breed extremism.

The untimely passing of President Garfield catalyzed substantial reforms, culminating in the overhaul of the public employment patronage system and the creation of a merit-based civil service, all originating from the ill-advised deeds that precipitated his demise.

Millard details the crucial transformation of the political patronage system, a shift that was brought about due to the unfortunate death of Garfield and the deluded intentions of Guiteau. The country's leaders were now forced to confront the dangerous flaws in a system that permitted an individual such as Guiteau to come into such close proximity to the president.

The person occupying the role of Vice President experienced a profound transformation, shifting from a position of favoritism to championing changes that ultimately led to the establishment of the Pendleton Civil Service Act.

Candice Millard describes Chester Arthur's ascension from Vice President to President following the end of Garfield's tenure. Upon becoming president, Arthur, previously a staunch supporter of the spoils system, shifted his stance to support a major reform of the civil service, culminating in the passage of a crucial law that established a merit-based system for government appointments. The abrupt shift in course highlighted by Millard emphasized the public's strong demand for change following the President's death.

Lucretia Garfield's dedication to preserving the legacy of her spouse led to the creation of the first presidential library, located at their home in Mentor.

Millard's final remarks highlight the enduring legacy left by President Garfield and the commitment of his wife Lucretia to preserving his memory. Lucretia, driven by deep love for her husband and a steadfast commitment to preserve his memory, meticulously organized and protected his vast collection of papers and artifacts, a process that resulted in the creation of the first presidential library within their Mentor residence. This library, as Millard observes, serves as an enduring homage to the memory of Garfield and establishes a precedent for future presidents to maintain their unique contributions to the collective historical narrative of the country.

Other Perspectives

• While Garfield's death was significant, it could be argued that it was one of many factors that contributed to the historical transformations of the era, rather than a singularly pivotal event.
• The idea that the entire country united in grief may overlook the complexities of public sentiment, as not all individuals may have felt the same level of personal loss or political unity.
• The assertion that the assassination cultivated unity and a renewed commitment to common principles might be challenged by noting that political divisions and strife continued to exist, even if temporarily subdued.
• The notion that the stability of the country was threatened by the actions of one individual could be seen as an oversimplification, as the broader social and political context also plays a crucial role in national stability.
• The claim that Garfield's assassination directly prompted substantial reforms might be contested by pointing out that such reforms were already being discussed and could have occurred independently of the assassination.
• The impact of Chester Arthur's shift in stance towards civil service reform could be debated, with some arguing that his actions were more politically motivated than a genuine change of heart.
• The creation of the first presidential library by Lucretia Garfield, while significant, might be viewed not just as a product of dedication but also as a reflection of the era's growing interest in historical preservation and the cult of personality surrounding public figures.