# II: Cincinnati and Washington explained — Recollections of Full Years > Chapter companion for Recollections of Full Years by Helen Herron Taft. ## What happens The chapter details the Taft family's life in Cincinnati and Washington leading up to the Spanish-American War, Mr. Taft's initial opposition to taking the Philippines, his summons by President McKinley, the persuasive arguments by Secretary Root to lead a commission to establish civil government in the Philippines, his resignation from the bench, and the family's preparations and departure for the islands. ## Themes in this chapter ### Public Service and Duty Taft's decision to accept the Philippine Commission despite personal opposition reflects a sense of duty to serve his country. ### Cultural Encounter and Colonialism The chapter explores the U.S. assumption of colonial responsibility over the Philippines and the challenges of governing a distant people. ### Family and Domestic Life Mrs. Taft's preparations, her decision to bring her children, and the farewell hospitality highlight the family's central role in the adventure. ### Adaptation to Change The Tafts' willingness to leave their established life in Cincinnati for an uncertain future in the Philippines demonstrates adaptability. ## Character check-ins ### William Howard Taft Strongly opposed to taking the Philippines initially; resigned from the bench to lead the Philippine Commission after persuasion by McKinley and Root. ### Helen Herron Taft Eagerly embraced the opportunity to go to the Philippines; made preparations and took her three children on the journey. ### William McKinley Summoned Taft to Washington and proposed he head the Philippine Commission; believed the work would take only six to nine months. ### Elihu Root Secretary of War who helped persuade Taft to accept the mission, drafting the letter of instructions and emphasizing the opportunity for service. ### Charles P. Taft Taft's brother, whom he consulted before accepting the appointment. ### Maria Herron Mrs. Taft's sister, who agreed to accompany her for the first year. ### Dean C. Worcester Member of the first Philippine Commission who provided Taft with valuable data. ## Key lines > Mr. Taft was strongly opposed to taking the Philippines. He was not an anti-imperialist in the sense that he believed the Constitution required us to keep the boundaries of the United States within their continental limits, but he thought the Antipodes rather a far stretch for the controlling hand, and he thought the taking of the Philippines would only add to our problems and responsibilities without increasing, in any way, the effectiveness and usefulness of our government. Taft opposed annexing the Philippines not because he was a strict anti-imperialist, but because he felt the islands were too distant to govern effectively and would burden the U.S. without benefit. _Taft's nuanced position on imperialism is clarified._ > The President wants me to go to the Philippine Islands... The President and Mr. Root want to establish a civil government in the Philippines... and they want me to go out at the head of a commission to do it. McKinley and Root asked Taft to lead a commission to set up civil government in the Philippines. _The core mission is stated._ > Mr. Root said: 'The work to be done in the Philippines is as great as the work Livingston had to do in Louisiana. It is an opportunity for you to do your country a great service and achieve for yourself a reputation for the finest kind of constructive work.' Root compared the Philippine task to the Louisiana Purchase and urged Taft to seize the chance for national service and personal achievement. _Root's persuasive argument is highlighted._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ii-cincinnati-and-washington - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters