Synthesized answer
In his 1881 address, Arthur contrasts "rare prosperity" with an "appalling calamity" that had befallen the American people [1]. The nation's harvests were plenteous, its industries thrived, and its people were healthy, maintaining peaceful relations with foreign governments. However, this prosperity was overshadowed by a significant event [1].
This calamity is further explained as the death of a beloved and illustrious citizen, who was "but lately the head of the nation" [2]. Arthur bows to this "mysterious exercise of His will" with sorrow and submission, attributing these events to "Him who holds our destiny in His hands" [2]. While the passages do not explicitly detail how these contrasting themes work together to convey a message about national resilience or divine will beyond acknowledging a divine hand in national events and expressing sorrow and submission, they do indicate that the nation is blessed by favorable circumstances and then struck by a profound loss attributed to a higher power [1, 2].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines. State of the Union Addresses of Chester A. Arthur The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** Dates of addresses by Chester A. Arthur in this eBook: December 6, 1881 December 4, 1882 December 4, 1883 December 1, 1884 *** State of the Union Address Chester A. Arthur December 6, 1881 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: An appalling calamity has befallen the American people since their chosen representatives last met in the halls where you are now assembled. We…
ese 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. The memory of his exalted character, of his noble achievements, and of his patriotic life will be treasured forever as a sacred possession of the whole people. The announcement of his death drew from foreign governments and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow which history will record as signal…
Arthur December 4, 1882 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: It is provided by the Constitution that the President shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. In reviewing the events of the year which has elapsed since the commencement of your sessions, I first call your attention to the gratifying condition of our foreign affairs. Our intercourse with other powers has continued to be of the most friendly character. Such…
Arthur December 1, 1884 To the Congress of the United States: Since the close of your last session the American people, in the exercise of their highest right of suffrage, have chosen their Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing. When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has the long political contest which customarily precedes the day of the national election been waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is a subject of general congratulation that after the controversy at the polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the issue had…
Arthur December 4, 1883 To the Congress of the United States: At the threshold of your deliberations I congratulate you upon the favorable aspect of the domestic and foreign affairs of this Government. Our relations with other countries continue to be upon a friendly footing. With the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santo Domingo, and Sweden and Norway no incident has occurred which calls for special comment. The recent opening of new lines of telegraphic communication with Central America and Brazil permitted the interchange of messages of…
More questions about this book
- Explain, in simple terms, the "appalling calamity" Arthur references at the beginning of his address. What emotional and political challenges did this event present for him and the nation, and how does he attempt to address them in his opening remarks?
- Consider the mention of the "Fortune Bay claims" settlement and the "salute to the British flag at Yorktown." How do these two distinct events, one a resolution of conflict and the other a gesture of goodwill, illustrate the complexities of Anglo-American relations at the time, and what might each action communicate to an international audience?
- Looking at the broader context of foreign relations discussed (international sympathy for the deceased president, trade exhibitions, copyright, Panama Canal), what specific aspects of American foreign policy and national identity in the 1880s are highlighted by Arthur's choices of what to include or emphasize in this address?
- Arthur briefly alludes to "correspondence... in relation to the proposed canal across the Isthmus of Panama." What questions does this brief mention raise about the strategic interests and potential future challenges for the United States, even without further detail in this excerpt?