Analysis Of James Garfield's Destiny Of The Republic

1228 Words3 Pages

Destiny of the Republic James A. Garfield, the 20th president of The United States, was born in Orange Township Ohio to a family of immense poverty. When he was a young boy, Garfield’s father had passed away leaving his mother and three siblings in distress and misfortune. Garfield’s harsh childhood helped form him to be the humble and modest gentleman that, throughout his presidency, gained the hearts of many Americans. In March of 1881, Garfield was honorably sworn in as the newest president of the United Stated of America, but his presidency was short-lived when in July of 1881 a man named Charles Guiteau shot Garfield twice in which resulted in his death on September 19, 1881. Candice Millard’s “Destiny of the Republic” illustrates James Garfield’s principles that formed his presidency, in which he fought for civil rights to empower African Americans, kept the well-being of the lower class in mind, and encouraged higher education. Millard also exhibits the results that followed Garfield’s assassination which include the unity of the …show more content…

He would not tolerate any discrimination and made it apparent to Americans that Civil War had brought an end to the era and now was the time of equality. The freed slaves had finally found a man that would embody them in ways that they have not been before and they all stood behind the words of Garfield to support him. When Garfield delivered his inaugural address, he stood in front of all and said “The elevation of the negro race from slavery to the full rights of citizenship is the most important political change we have known since the adoption of the constitution” (Candice Millard, Destiny of the Republic, 91). By saying this, Garfield demonstrated the overall support of the American people and his want for them to experience the true freedom that they had been stripped from for

Open Document