The Bay State Monthly, Volume 1, Issue 5, May, 1884 | Page 8

and gravity, I assume the trust imposed by the Constitution,
relying for aid on Divine guidance and the virtue, patriotism, and
intelligence of the American people.
* * * * *
As President Arthur read his message his voice trembled, but his
manner was impressive, and the eyes of many present were moistened
with tears. The first one to congratulate him when he had concluded
was Chief Justice Waite, and the next was Secretary Blaine. After
shaking him by the hand, those present left the room, which was closed
to all except the members of the Cabinet, who there held their first
conference with the President. At this cabinet meeting the following
proclamation was prepared and signed by President Arthur, designating
the following Monday as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer:--
_By the President of the United States of America_;
A PROCLAMATION:
Whereas, in his inscrutable wisdom, it has pleased God to remove from
us the illustrious head of the Nation, James A. Garfield, late President
of the United States; and whereas it is fitting that the deep grief which
fills all hearts should manifest itself with one accord toward the throne
of infinite grace, and that we should bow before the Almighty and seek
from him that consolation in our affliction and that sanctification of our
loss which he is able and willing to vouchsafe:
Now, therefore, in obedience to sacred duty, and in accordance with the
desire of the people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States
of America, do hereby appoint Monday next, the twenty-sixth day of
September, on which day the remains of our honored and beloved dead
will be consigned to their last resting-place on earth; to be observed
throughout the United States as a day of humiliation and mourning; and
I earnestly recommend all the people to assemble on that day in their

respective places of divine worship, there to render alike their tribute of
sorrowful submission to the will of Almighty God and of reverence and
love for the memory and character of our late Chief Magistrate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
[Sidenote: [SEAL.]]
Done at the city of Washington, the twenty-second day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1881, and of the independence of the United
States the one hundred and sixth.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
By the President:
JAMES G. BLAINE. Secretary of State.
President Arthur soon showed his appreciation of the responsibilities of
his new office. Knowing principles rather than persons, he subordinated
individual preferences and prejudices to a well-defined public policy.
While he was, as he always had been, a Republican, he had no
sympathy for blind devotion to party; he had "no friends to reward, no
enemies to punish;"--and he has been governed by those principles of
liberty and equality which he inherited. His messages to Congress have
been universally commended, and even unfriendly critics have
pronounced them careful and well-matured documents. Their tone is
more frank and direct than is customary in such papers, and their
recommendations, extensive and varied as they have been, show that he
has patiently reviewed the field of labor so sadly and so unexpectedly
opened before him, and that he was not inclined to shirk the
constitutional duty of aiding Congress by his suggestions and advice.
An honest man, who believes in his own principles, who follows his
own convictions, and who never hesitates to avow his sentiments, he
has given his views in accordance with his deliberate ideas of right.
The foreign relations of the United States have been conducted by

Secretary Frelinghuysen, under the President's direction, in a friendly
spirit and when practicable with a view to mutual commercial
advantages. He has taken a conservative view of the management of the
public debt, approving all the important suggestions of the secretary of
the treasury, and recognizing the proper protection of American
industry. He is in favor of the great interests of labor, and opposed to
such tinkering with the tariff as will make vain the toil of the
industrious farmer, paralyze the arm of the sturdy mechanic, strike
down the hand of the hardy laborer, stop the spindle, hush the loom,
extinguish the furnace-fires, and degrade all independent toilers to the
level of the poor in other lands. The architect of his own fortune, he has
a strong and abiding sympathy for those bread-winners who struggle
against poverty.
The reform of the civil service has met with President Arthur's earnest
support, and his messages show that every department of the
government has received his careful administration. Following the
example of Washington, he has personally visited several sections of
the United States, and has especially made himself acquainted with the
great problem of Indian