TOW #1 - James Garfield’s Inaugural Address

James A. Garfield was elected president in 1881, less than 20 years after the Civil War in the United States (Editors and McPherson). In his inaugural address, Garfield recognized the importance of addressing the segregation that remained in society. Because there was still great tension between the North and the South, due in part to the abolition of slavery and also due to the growth of a strong central government (McPherson), Garfield had to find a balance between emphasizing both local and central rights. Though both parts of the country still held different beliefs, Garfield remained optimistic while also encouraging equality and a strong central government via the use of several rhetorical devices. Garfield used an allusion to a quote by Abraham Lincoln to emphasize the value of equality: “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 of 1787. […] The influence of this force will grow greater and bear richer fruit with the coming years” (James). As Lincoln’s original use of the expression was, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice” (Lincoln), Garfield extended it to deliver the message that people should be more compassionate and stop continuing prejudice. Additionally, Garfield addressed his duties in the executive position using synecdoche: “And now, fellow-citizens, I am about to assume the great trust which you have committed to my hands” (James). While Garfield is formally accepting the position of President of the United States, he states “my hands” to detach his own bias from the position, further emphasizing that he stands only as an elected national representative to serve others. Garfield, a firm believer in equality, had unfortunately limited time in office; in July of 1881, he was shot and killed (Editors). This does not, however, affect the value of Garfield’s inaugural address, as he purposefully and tactically brought attention to several of the largest issues existing in the country at the time with encouraging words to proactively fix them.

Works Cited

Editors, Biography.com. "James Garfield Biography." The Biography.com Website. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.

James A. Garfield: "Inaugural Address," March 4, 1881. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25823.

Lincoln, Abraham. "Abraham Lincoln Quotes." BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.

McPherson, James, Dr. "A Brief Overview of the American Civil War." Civilwar.com. History.com, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.