"Theologians of all ages have looked out admiringly upon the material universe...and demonstrated the power, wisdom, and goodness of God; but we know of no one who has demonstrated the same attributes from the history of the human race."
Candice Millard portrays many excellent virtues of President Garfield. A Republican president, he made it his aim to see that former slaves and African-Americans were not only given the promised freedom but the same dignities afforded all Americans. In this, he was both a visionary and advocate. He was beloved by African Americans for his stand and actions pressing for genuine racial equality after the sorry legacy of the first 100 years of our country.What do you know about James A. Garfield? Probably not enough. A remarkable man, Garfield served as the 20th President, despite his personal reluctance to accept the nomination. Candice Millard chronicles much of his story in Destiny of the Republic in which she describes President Garfield's many personal qualities and the series of events which led to his surprising nomination and election to the office of President. His humility and reluctance to serve in this capacity are nothing short of remarkable, particularly given the hubris so often associated with those who seek the power of the office. The Republican Party and the Nation recognized his wisdom, education, and leadership ability on display through his rise to the presidency of Hiram College at the age of 26 and the skill with which he served as a Union officer and brigadier general in the Civil War and service of Ohio in the Senate. The nomination was not to be his but John Sherman's and Garfield addressed the Convention to urge his nomination. But in the end it was Garfield the Convention chose.
But she takes the reader on a heart-breaking journey through the events surrounding Mr. Garfield's assassination. And, hence the title of this post. She tells of the intersection of lives and events, including Alexander Graham Bell and his telephone, as well as other inventions; Charles Guiteau's warped mind and extraordinary self-centeredness leading to his crime; and one Dr. Albert Bliss, mired in the ways of medical practice proven archaic and ignorant by the discoveries of microscopic organisms and antiseptic remedies.
She weaves together the compelling story of Garfield's personal qualities and rise and the twisted world of Guiteau. Simultaneously, Alexander Graham Bell pursues his dreams of a telephone and providentially makes contacts at the World's Fair giving his invention much-deserved notice. But tragedy strikes as the slug from the assassin's pistol strikes down the President. His medical care falls to Bliss, not by Garfield's request but Bliss's insistence. Bliss refused to allow other doctors with excellent credentials to assist or offer counsel regarding the medical care given Garfield. Infection wormed its way from the wound, otherwise not fatal, through Garfield. Bliss refused input which would have saved not only Garfield's life but would have spared him incredible suffering caused by the ignorance and pride of Bliss. Antiseptic practices were available, though new, but because the doctor was renowned he did not see the need to keep learning. His pride kept him from the advice of others who proved more learned than he but he was the one of reputation. He sought the growth of that reputation through the care of President Garfield.The character of Garfield shined brightest in the face of his agonizing trial which proved his demise. He remained steadfastly cheerful and encouraging to all even as his life needlessly ebbed away. The following obituary headline obscures the truth that the infection was steady in its progress and could have been stayed through simple procedures and through a second or third opinion regarding the the path and resting place of the bullet. But pride is not open to other perspectives. Ignorance is Bliss.
