Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1830-November 18, 1886) was the 21st President of the United States, 1881-85; Vice-President under James A. Garfield, 1881, assuming the Presidency upon Garfield's assassination; Collector of Customs at the Port of New York, 1871-78, appointed by President Grant; Counsel to the New York City Tax Commission, 1869; Quartermaster General of New York State during the Civil War, 1861-62; Inspector General of Union Troops, 1862; married Ellen Lewis Herndon, 1859; participated in first Republican State convention at Saratoga, 1856; abolitionist lawyer, 1853-61, earning publicity for defending the rights of Blacks; admitted to bar, 1853; Principal in Cohoes, N.Y., 1852; principal and teacher of an academy at North Pownall, Bennington County, Vermont, 1851-52; graduated from Union College, 1848; and son of Rev. William Arthur, a Baptist minister who emigrated from Ireland.
Chester Alan Arthur's Presidential term spanned the period when international time zones were set, New York and Chicago were connected by telephone lines, and bank robber Jesse James was killed.
On Thursday, September 22, 1881, in an address given upon assuming the Presidency after President Garfield's death, President Chester A. Arthur stated:
<For the fourth time in the history of the Republic its Chief Magistrate has been removed by death. All hearts are filled with grief and horror at the hideous crime which has darkened our land, and the memory of the murdered President....
Summoned to these high duties and responsibilities and profoundly conscious of their magnitude 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.> 1830CA001
On September 22, 1881, President Chester A. Arthur issued a National Day of Humiliation and Mourning:
<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 26th 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.
Done at the city of Washington, the 22d day of September, A.D. 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.> 1830CA002 On Friday, November 4, 1881, President Chester A. Arthur issued a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer:
<It has long been the pious custom of our people, with the closing of the year, to look back upon the blessings brought to them in the changing course of the seasons and to return solemn thanks to the All-Giving Source from whom they flow. And although at this period, when the falling leaf admonishes us that the time of our sacred duty is at hand, our nation still lies in the shadow of a great bereavement, and the mourning which has filled our hearts still finds its sorrowful expression toward the God before whom we but lately bowed in grief and supplication, yet the countless benefits which have showered upon us during the past twelvemonth call for our fervent gratitude and make it fitting that we should rejoice with thankfulness that the Lord in His infinite mercy has most signally favored our country and our people.
Peace without and prosperity within have been vouchsafed to us, no pestilence has visited our shores, the abundant privileges of freedom which our fathers left us in their wisdom are still our increasing heritage; and if in parts of our vast domain sore affliction has visited our brethren in their forest homes, yet even this calamity has been tempered and in a manner sanctified by the generous compassion for the sufferers which has been called forth throughout our land.
For all these things it is meet that the voice of the nation should go up to God in devout homage.
Wherefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do recommend that all the people observe Thursday, the 24th day of November instant, as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, by ceasing, so far as may be, from their secular labors and meeting in their several places of worship, there to join in ascribing honor and praise to Almighty God, whose goodness has been so manifest in our history and in our lives, and offering earnest prayers that His bounties may continue to us and to our children.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 4th day of November, A.D. 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.> 1830CA003
On December 6, 1881, President Chester A. Arthur stated in his First Annual Message to Congress (Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. VIII, pp. 57-58):
<For these manifestations of His favor we owe to Him who holds our destiny in His hands the tribute of our grateful devotion. To that mysterious exercise of His will which has taken from us the loved and illustrious citizen who was but lately the head of the nation we bow in sorrow and submission....
It is desirable that our cordial relations with Russia should be strengthened by proper engagements assuring to peaceable Americans who visit the Empire the consideration which is due to them as citizens of a friendly state. This is especially needful with respect to American Israelites, whose classification with the native Hebrew has evoked energetic remonstrances....
The insecurity of life and property in many parts of Turkey has given rise to correspondence with the Porte looking particularly to the better protection of American missionaries in the Empire. The condemned murderer of the eminent missionary Dr. Justin W. Parsons has not yet been executed, although this Government has repeatedly demanded that exemplary justice be done....
The treatise which forbid the participation of citizens or vessels of the United States in the opium trade will doubtless receive your approval. They will attest the sincere interest which our people and Government feel in the commendable efforts of the Chinese Government to put a stop to this demoralizing and destructive traffic....
For many years the Executive, in his annual message to Congress, has urged the necessity of stringent legislation for the suppression of polygamy in the Territories, and especially in the Territory of Utah.
The existing statute for the punishment of this odious crime, so revolting to the moral and religious sense of Christendom, has been persistently and contemptuously violated ever since its enactment.
Indeed, in spite of commendable efforts on the part of the authorities who represent the United States in that Territory, the law has in very rare instances been enforced, and, for a cause to which reference will presently be made, is practically a dead letter. The fact that adherents of the Mormon Church, which rests upon polygamy as its corner stone, have recently been peopling in large numbers Idaho, Arizona, and other of our Western Territories is well calculated to excite the liveliest interest and apprehension.
It imposes upon Congress and the Executive the duty of arraying against this barbarous system all the power which under the Constitution and the law they can wield for its destruction. Reference has been already made to the obstacles which the United States officers have encountered in their efforts to punish violations of law.
Prominent among these obstacles is the difficulty of procuring legal evidence sufficient to warrant a conviction even in the case of the most notorious offenders. Your attention is called to a recent opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States, explaining its judgment of reversal in the case of Miles, who had been convicted of bigamy in Utah.
The court refers to the fact that the secrecy attending the celebration of marriages in that Territory makes the proof of polygamy very difficult, and the propriety is suggested of modifying the law of evidence which now makes a wife incompetent to testify against her husband. This suggestion is approved. I recommend also the passage of an act providing that in the Territories of the United States the fact that a woman has been married to a person charged with bigamy shall not disqualify her as a witness upon his trial for that offense.
I further recommend legislation by which any person solemnizing a marriage in any of the Territories shall be required, under stringent penalties for neglect or refusal, to file a certificate of such marriage in the supreme court of the Territory.
Doubtless Congress may devise other practicable measures for obviating the difficulties which have hitherto attended the efforts to suppress this iniquity. I assure you of my determined purpose to cooperate with you in any lawful and discreet measures which may be proposed to that end.> 1830CA004
On May 2, 1882, from his Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C., President Chester A. Arthur wrote to the U.S. House of Representatives:
<In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th of January last, calling for correspondence respecting the condition of Israelites in Russia, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers.> 1830CA005
On October 25, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur issued a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer:
<In conformity with a custom the annual observance of which is justly held in honor by this people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby set apart Thursday, the 30th day of November next, as a day of public thanksgiving.
The blessings demanding our gratitude are numerous and varied.
For the peace and amity which subsist between this Republic and all the nations of the world; for the freedom from internal discord and violence;
for the increasing friendship between the different sections of the land; for liberty, justice, and constitutional government;
for the devotion of the people to our free institutions and their cheerful obedience to mild laws;
for the constantly increasing strength of the Republic while extending its privileges to fellow-men who come to us;
for the improved means of internal communication and the increased facilities of intercourse with other nations;
for the general prevailing health of the year;
for the prosperity of all our industries, the liberal return for the mechanic's toil affording a market for the abundant harvests of the husbandman;
for the preservation of the national faith and credit;
for wise and generous provision to effect the intellectual and moral education of our youth;
for the influence upon the conscience of a restraining and transforming religion, and
for the joys of home-for these and for many other blessings we should give thanks.
Wherefore I do recommend that the day above designated be observed throughout the country as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, and that the people, ceasing from their daily labors and meeting in accordance with their several forms of worship draw near to the throne of Almighty God, offering to Him praise and gratitude for the manifold goodness which He has vouchsafed to us and praying that His blessings and His mercies may continue.
And I do further recommend that the day thus appointed be made a special occasion for deeds of kindness and charity to the suffering and the needy, so that all who dwell within the land may rejoice and be glad in this season of national thanksgiving.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 25th day of October, A.D. 1882, and of the Independence of the United States one hundred and seventh. Chester A. Arthur.
By the President: Fredk. T. Frelinghuysen, Secretary of State.> 1830CA006
On December 4, 1882, in his Second Annual Message to Congress, President Chester A. Arthur stated:
<Our long-established friendliness with Russia has remained unshaken.
It has prompted me to proffer the earnest counsels of this Government that measures be adopted for suppressing the proscription which the Hebrew race in that country has lately suffered. It has not transpired that any American citizen has been subjected to arrest or injury, but our courteous remonstrance has nevertheless been courteously received. There is reason to believe that the time is not far distant when Russia will be able to secure toleration to all faiths within her borders....
The closing year has been replete with blessings, for which we owe to the Giver of All Good our reverent acknowledgement.> 1830CA007
On Friday, October 26, 1883, President Chester A. Arthur issued a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving:
<In furtherance of the custom of this people at the closing of each year to engage, upon a day set apart for that purpose, in a special festival of praise to the Giver of All Good, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby designate Thursday, the 29th day of November next, as a day of national thanksgiving.
The year which is drawing to an end has been replete with evidences of Divine Goodness. The prevalence of health, the fullness of the harvests, the stability of peace and order, the growth of fraternal feeling, the spread of intelligence and learning, the continued enjoyment of civil and religious liberty- all these and countless other blessings are cause for reverent rejoicing.
I do therefore recommend that on the day above appointed the people rest from their accustomed labors and, meeting in their several places of worship, express their devout gratitude to God that He hath dealt so bountifully with this nation and pray that His grace and favor abide with it forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of October, A.D. 1883, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth.
Chester A. Arthur.
By the President: Fredk. T. Frelinghuysen, Secretary of State.> 1830CA008
On December 4, 1883, President Chester A. Arthur stated in his Third Annual Message (Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. 8, p. 184):
<The Utah Commission has submitted to the Secretary of the Interior its second annual report. As a result of its labors in supervising the recent election in that Territory, pursuant to the act of March 22, 1882, it appears that persons by that act disqualified to the number of about 12,000, were excluded from the polls.
This fact, however, affords little cause for congratulation, and I fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All the members elect of the legislature are Mormons.
There is grave reason to believe that they are in sympathy with the practices that this Government is seeking to suppress, and that its efforts in that regard will be more likely to encounter their opposition than to receive their encouragement and support.
Even if this view should happily be erroneous, the law under which the commissioners have been acting should be made more effective by the incorporation of some such stringent amendments as they recommend, and as were included in bill No. 2238 on the Calendar of the Senate at its last session. I am convinced, however, that polygamy has become so strongly intrenched in the Territory of Utah that it is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which constitutional legislation can fashion.
I favor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which the existing government depends, the assumption by the National Legislature of the entire political control of the Territory, and the establishment of a commission with such powers and duties as shall be delegated to it by law.> 1830CA009
On February 8, 1884, from his Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C., President Chester A. Arthur wrote:
<General William T. Sherman, General of the Army, having this day reached the age of 64 years, is, in accordance with law, placed upon the retired list of the Army without reduction in his current pay and allowances....The President deems this a fitting occasion to give expression in this manner to the gratitude felt toward General Sherman by his fellow-citizens, and to the hope that Providence may grant him many years of health and happiness in the relief from the active duties of his profession.> 1830CA010
On November 7, 1884, President Chester A. Arthur issued a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving:
<The season in nigh when it is the yearly wont of this people to observe a day appointed for that purpose by the President as an especial occasion for thanksgiving unto God. Now, therefore, in recognition of this hallowed custom, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby designate as such day of general thanksgiving Thursday, the 27th day of this present November.
And I do recommend that throughout the land the people, ceasing from their accustomed occupations, do then keep holiday at their several homes and their several places of worship, and with heart and voice pay reverent acknowledgement to the Giver of All Good for the countless blessings wherewith He hath visited this nation.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 7th day of November, A.D. 1884, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and ninth. Chester A. Arthur.
By the President: Fredk. T. Frelinghuysen, Secretary of State.> 1830CA011
On December 1, 1884, President Chester A. Arthur stated in his Fourth Annual Message (Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. 8, p. 250):
<The report of the Utah Commission will be read with interest. It discloses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention and punishment of polygamy in that Territory. I still believe that if that abominable practice can be suppressed by law it can only be by the most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the Constitution. I again recommend, therefore, that Congress assume absolute political control of the Territory of Utah and provide for the appointment of commissioners with such governmental powers as in its judgment may justly and wisely be put into their hands.> 1830CA012
President Chester A. Arthur proclaimed:
<Heaven save us.> 1830CA013
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1830CA001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, September 22, 1881, in his Inaugural Address. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. VIII, pp. 33-34.
1830CA002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, September 22, 1881, in a Proclamation of a National Day of Humiliation and Mourning. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. VIII, p. 34.
1830CA003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, November 4, 1881, in a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, p. 36.
1830CA004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, December 6, 1881, in his First Annual Message to Congress. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 25-26, 37, 39, 40, 42, 57.
1830CA005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, May 2, 1882, in correspondence with the U.S. House of Representatives, written from his Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and
Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, p. 103.
1830CA006. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, October 25, 1882, in a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 123-124.
1830CA007. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, December 4, 1882, in his Second Annual Message to Congress. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 127, 148,
1830CA008. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, October 26, 1883, in a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789- 1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 159-160.
1830CA009. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, December 4, 1883, in his Third Annual Message (Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. 8, p. 184).
1830CA010. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, February 8, 1884, from his Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C., in recognition of the retirement of U.S. General William T. Sherman. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 228-229.
1830CA011. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, November 7, 1884, in a Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving. James D. Richardson (U.S. Representative from Tennessee), ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897, 10 vols. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, published by Authority of Congress, 1897, 1899; Washington, D.C.: Bureau of National Literature and Art, 1789-1902, 11 vols., 1907, 1910), Vol. 8, pp. 225-226.
1830CA012. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, December 1, 1884, in his Fourth Annual Message (Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. 8, p. 250).
1830CA013. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Chester Alan Arthur, statement. Joan Bumann and John Patterson, Our American Presidents (St. Petersburg, FL: Willowisp Press, 1993), p. 78.