1881 State of the Union Address

Speech by US President Chester A. Arthur February 2026 November 2024 February 2025 1881 State of the Union Address Presidential Party, Upper Geyser Basin. (14182508681).jpg Chester Arthur with party at Yellowstone National Park, included is Robert Todd Lincoln. 1881 12 06 House Chamber, United States Capitol Washington, D.C. 38 53 23 N 77 00 32 W region:US-DC_type:event inline,title State of the Union Address Chester A. ArthurDavid DavisJ. Warren Keifer Format Written Previous 1880 State of the Union Address Next 1882 State of the Union Address The 1881 State of the Union address was delivered by Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president of the United States, on December 6, 1881. This address, Arthur's first, came shortly after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, which he described as an "appalling calamity" that profoundly affected the nation. Arthur contrasted the sorrow of Garfield's death with the nation's continued prosperity, citing bountiful harvests, thriving industries, and peaceful foreign relations. "To that mysterious exercise of His will which has taken from us the loved and illustrious citizen... we bow in sorrow and submission," Arthur said, highlighting Garfield's legacy as a source of national unity and admiration.First Annual Message The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-13 www.presidency.ucsb.edu 30 November 2024 Arthur addressed several foreign policy and domestic matters. He noted the resolution of the Fortune Bay claims with Great Britain and ongoing negotiations on an international copyright convention. He praised the participation of American exhibitors in global expositions in Melbourne and Sydney as examples of growing national competitiveness. Domestically, Arthur emphasized the need for legislation to better manage Native American affairs, suppress lawlessness on the frontier, and revise internal revenue laws to reduce taxation burdens. He also highlighted the importance of public health measures, education reform, and the continued reduction of the national debt as priorities for his administration. References 1880 State of the Union Address 1882 State of the Union Address State of the Union addresses 1 1881 Category:Presidency of Chester A. Arthur Category:Speeches by Chester A. Arthur Category:47th United States Congress Category:1881 in American politics Category:December 1881 in the United States Category:1881 in Washington, D.C. Category:1880s State of the Union addresses