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SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE
VOL. LVII FEBRUARY, 1915 NO. 2
PERSONALITY OF COLONEL GOETHALS
By Joseph Bucklin Bishop
For nine years Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commisson; author of " The Panama Gateway "
ISAAC DISRAELI, in that
most delightful of books,
'' Curiosities of Literature,''
makes this observation,
which is as true to-day as
it was when written a cen­
coming familiar with the intellectual and
moral qualities which form the basis of
what is called character and which constitute
the personality of a man. That
Colonel Goethals has a distinct personality
no one who knows him or has followed
his career will deny. That it is a
strong personality as well, every one who
has been in the Canal service will testify
without hesitation or qualification.
It is customary to regard the construction
of the Panama Canal as an engineering
achievement, but it is in equal, if not
in larger, degree an achievement in administration.
The engineering problems were
comparatively simple, being those of magnitude,
the solution of which followed
clearly defined and well-established scien­
tury ago: How superficial is that cry of
some impertinent pretended geniuses of
these times who affect to exclaim: 'Give
me no anecdotes of an author, but give me
his works !' I have often found the anecdotes
more interesting than the works."
In conversation a few years ago with John
Hay I cited this utterance in support of
something that he was saying to the same
effect, whereupon he added (I quote from
memory): "Real history is not to be
found in books, but in the personal anecdotes
and private letters of those who tific lines. The problems in administration
make history. These reveal the men
were new and there were no prece­
themselves and the motives that actuate dents in American experience from which
them, and give us also their estimate of to obtain light for guidance.
those who are associated with them. No The Canal force has been referred to
one should ever destroy a private letter frequently as being in the position of an
that contains light on public men, or willingly
let die an illuminating anecdote dis­
partial. An army in the field is under the
army in the field. The parallel is only
closing their individuality."
absolute control of its commanding general
In what I am about to write concerning
from the moment of its departure for
the personality of Colonel Goethals I shall the scene of action. This control is the
follow mainly the idea thus outlined. I established order of the military system
shall endeavor to portray him as he revealed
and is unquestioned. The Canal force,
himself to me during seven years of
intimate association in which he honored
like an army, was in the field, two thousand
miles from its base of supplies, but
me with his confidence and admitted me when assembled on the Isthmus it was an
to the inestimable privilege of his personal army of civilians, and there was no established
friendship. Throughout that period I
authority for its absolute control by
was a constant observer of his official acts, the man at its head. Every member of it
of the methods by which he met and knew this. Not only did the rank and
solved the problems which pressed upon file know it, but the subordinate officials
him incessantly for consideration, thus be­
knew it. Experience was to show that it
Copyright, 1915, by Charles Scribner's Sons.
All rights reserved.
VOL. LVII.—13 129