Status Updates From Garfield

There's something oddly different about this author's writing style. I can't quite pinpoint it. It's not unpleasant though.

[Finished the text.] Too crazy for the wacky religious cult, Charles Guiteau thought he would be seen a hero. But like Garfield is lost in the "bewiskered faces" of the presidents between Lincoln and Teddy, Guiteau is lost in the shadows of Booth and Oswald. Prey has taken predator down with him.

I just want to scream, "Look out!"

President Garfield.

That convention was insane!

Long a Representative; not long to be a Senator.

This is gonna be fun! I've made it up to the election of Rud Hayes, who didn't become president-elect until just before the inauguration due to all the election corruption on both sides, and Garfield was one of the guys trying to sort through it all.

Discrédit Mobilier.

Funny how adamant opinions about limits on presidential power so often change once a guy becomes president, himself.

Tough talk, even though his heart said something else: "Let us not commit ourselves to the absurd and senseless dogma that the color of the skin shall be the basis for suffrage, the talisman of liberty... [Let us not be guilty] of committing his destiny to the tender mercies of those pardoned rebels who have been so reluctantly compelled to take their feet from his neck and their hands from his throat."

Peskin maintains that Garfield's "double vision" was not duplicity, but I imagine a lot of people fail to see the difference. On to Part Two...

Salmon P. Chase and James Garfield had much in common. At the top of the list: they both admired Salmon P. Chase. LOL

I feel as angry as Garfield at Northern indifference and complacency in the first years of the war. I also can't help but think he is avoiding his wife.

Them's fightin' words.

I'm a bit confused on the unexplained changes of heart on slavery, Lincoln, and Governor Dennison.

Good times now, good times.

482 pages and he's still not president. Sigh.

Notes on Chapter 20

Conkling's attempt to embarrass Garfield backfires

Garfield nominates John Sherman at the 1880 Republican convention.

Garfield defends his actions in the Credit Mobilier and Congressional salary grab scandals.

Garfield defaults on bond payments so his American Central railroad scheme falls apart

Garfield becomes Rosecrans Chief of Staff

James Garfield begins his first legislative session as on Ohio state senator.

James Abram Garfield is born.

I

5

Garfield is prez, so we know this can't last much longer...