For generations, the family members of James Garfield discussed openly about his extraordinary achievements but avoided talking about his tragic assassination. We were aware what had happened, that he was gunned down in a train station,” notes one of his modern descendants. “We studied the story in publications but, in one way or another, we just glanced over it.”
This shifted in 2011 with the release of Destiny of the Republic, which revived interest in Garfield's cut-short presidency. The publication has now led to a streaming series titled the historical drama, starring Michael Shannon as the president and his co-star as the unstable individual who assassinated him.
The series aims to shine a light on Garfield, who came from humble beginnings to the presidency during the economic era only to succumb to its deep political rifts. His presidency was truncated after only half a year not only by the gunman's shot but by physician mistakes – an tragedy now mostly overlooked while the assassinations of the Civil War president and John F Kennedy continue to captivate the public.
“You can't help but be proud what he did. He was a true polymath: he was a legal professional, he was a religious leader, he was a farmer. He was so many things which also shaped who he was and his behavior and everything that we know about him the family carries down with us.”
Garfield was the final national leader raised in rustic conditions in Ohio in 1831. His parent passed away when he was 18 months old, leaving his mom, Eliza, to raise five children in hard times. An dedicated student, Garfield worked on canal boats to make funds for an education.
He pursued jurisprudence, was became a preacher, became leader of an institution in Ohio and was a state senator. In 1858 he entered matrimony with a educational contemporary, his future wife, with whom he would have a large family. An passionate nationalist, Garfield viewed the civil war as a righteous fight against slavery and rose to the officer status.
“During my investigation, I couldn't believe it. He was exceptionally intelligent. He was extremely courageous. He was very progressive for the time. He was caring. He was a good person and would have been an outstanding leader had he survived.”
Garfield was encouraged by Lincoln to resign his military commission when he was selected to the Congress, where he would function as a Republican for multiple terms. He was strong supporter of African American voting rights, viewing it as a question of fairness and the completion of a conflict agreement.
“His oration on the floor of Congress will move you deeply. He was an incredibly powerful orator and this issue was extremely significant to him.”
At the political assembly in Chicago the faction was sharply split between the “political group”, led by a powerful politician, who supported a continued leadership for former president, and the “rival group”, who supported political contender. Garfield attended as a supporter of his state colleague John Sherman.
When the 15,000-person convention was stalled between Grant and Blaine, representatives began searching for a compromise. Garfield's impassioned speech nominating Sherman won them over. During the speech, he reportedly declared, “And now, gentlemen of the convention, what do we want?” to which a attendee unexpectedly replied, “We want Garfield!”
On the extended selection process, a rush of supporters made Garfield the shocking choice. To placate the Stalwart faction, another politician, a political ally from New York, was chosen as his running mate. In the presidential race Garfield defeated the opposing candidate to become the sole representative of the House ever to be elected president.
“Garfield's potential greatness and what is extremely rare and maybe particular about the American presidency is he wasn't seeking the position. It's not that he had entirely ignored the possibility but he was pushed toward it.”
The major battle of Garfield's brief term was his disagreement with Conkling over the “spoils system”. Conkling required power over government appointments in New York, particularly the prestigious role of port authority. Garfield rejected, stating the issue was “concerning if the national leader becomes registering clerk of the senate or the executive of the United States”. He proposed a rival of Conkling to the post.
The conflict became a public battle but Garfield outmaneuvered Conkling in the Senate. Confronting a humiliating public defeat, Conkling and his junior senator quit Congress in protest. The next day, Garfield's candidate was ratified. It was a historic triumph for the presidential control over the political organization and for the change movement over “boss rule”.
But even as Garfield fought powerful figures of his party, he was being followed by a mentally unstable individual who represented the dark side of the political appointment process. The assassin was a drifter with a history of career disappointments, emotional issues and early life difficulties. He had failed as a legal professional, bill collector, minister and member of a alternative community.
“He was mentally ill and his particular brand of madness was delusion. He always believed that divine selection for greatness. He actually had financially a better start than Garfield but where Garfield progressed and improved, Guiteau could not accomplish anything.”
But Guiteau believed he had at last discovered a route to achievement: politics. Swept up in the drama of the presidential race, he prepared and gave an unimportant address, and became convinced in his own mind that he was personally instrumental for Garfield's victory.
Under this thinking, Guiteau reckoned he had earned a prestigious position. He travelled to Washington and relentlessly pestered Garfield, Blaine and other officials, insisting to be made the diplomatic representative — a role for which he had inadequate skills. He became such a problem that he was eventually banned from the White House.
On 2 July 1881, just four months into his presidency, Garfield was traveling from DC for his alumni event. As he moved through the transportation center, Guiteau emerged from hiding, pulled an ivory-handled British Bull Dog revolver from his coat pocket and shot the president twice in the back.
Garfield shouted: “Why is this occurring?” and collapsed on the depot ground. When a {police officer|law
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