Recollections of Full Years · Chapter
Busy Years explained
This chapter covers the period leading up to the 1908 presidential election, detailing Taft's reluctance to campaign for the presidency, his preference for a Supreme Court appointment, and his role as Secretary of War under Roosevelt.
What happens
This chapter covers the period leading up to the 1908 presidential election, detailing Taft's reluctance to campaign for the presidency, his preference for a Supreme Court appointment, and his role as Secretary of War under Roosevelt. It describes his speechmaking tours, the 'Three Musketeers' dynamic with Roosevelt and Root, and the family's summer at Murray Bay. The chapter also includes Taft's mother's final admonition to prioritize public duty over personal desire.
Themes in this chapter
Public Service and Duty
Taft's mother insists he fulfill his promise to the Filipinos despite her illness, emphasizing duty over personal desire.
Politics and Governance
Detailed account of Taft's presidential campaign, his reluctance, and the political maneuvering within the Republican Party.
Family and Domestic Life
The Taft family's summer at Murray Bay, the cottage, and the mother's final words highlight family bonds and domestic simplicity.
Characters to notice
- William Howard Taft
Reluctant presidential candidate, prefers Supreme Court; busy with speechmaking tours and War Department duties.
- Helen Herron Taft
Narrator; urges Taft to show more enthusiasm for his campaign; manages family arrangements.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Supports Taft's candidacy but expresses concern over Taft's lack of political engagement; part of 'Three Musketeers.'
- Elihu Root
Part of 'Three Musketeers' (Athos); delegated to campaign in New York; corresponds with Taft.
- Charles P. Taft
Accompanies Mrs. Taft to meet Mr. Taft at Yellowstone Park.
- Alphonso Taft
Mentioned as Taft's father; his mother (Taft's mother) is central to the chapter's conclusion.
Key passages
“No Taft, to my knowledge, has ever yet neglected a public duty for the sake of gratifying a private desire. You promised the Filipinos that you would be present at the opening of their first Assembly, and if you should break that promise and neglect your plain duty on my account, it would give me no pleasure.”
Taft's mother tells him that no Taft has ever put personal wishes above public duty, and that he must keep his promise to the Filipinos to attend the opening of their first Assembly, even if it means leaving her while she is ill.
This moment underscores the theme of public service and duty, and marks the last serious conversation between Taft and his mother.
“I told them just exactly what the fact was and nothing more, and I don’t find myself equal to becoming part of any organisation of that sort. The truth is in … and some of the other States, if a man does not join in a way as to imply a kind of obligation to look after these people, should success follow, there is no particular enthusiasm in his favour, and in my state of indifference about it the organisation is not likely to follow me.”
Taft explains to Roosevelt that he cannot pretend to be enthusiastic about organizing a campaign, and that his indifference will likely prevent political organizations from supporting him.
Reveals Taft's genuine lack of interest in the presidency and his honest, non-political approach.