Synthesized answer
The "appalling calamity" Arthur references at the beginning of his December 6, 1881 address is the death of a "loved and illustrious citizen who was but lately the head of the nation" [1, 3]. He notes that this event has befallen the American people since their representatives last met [1].
While the passages do not explicitly detail the emotional or political challenges this event presented for Arthur and the nation, they do indicate Arthur's attempt to address them by acknowledging the sorrow and submission to this "mysterious exercise of His will" [3]. He states that the memory of the deceased leader's character, achievements, and patriotic life will be treasured [3]. He also mentions that tributes of sympathy and sorrow were received from foreign governments and peoples, which he sees as tokens of kinship between nations [3]. The passages do not contain further information on how Arthur attempts to address these challenges in his opening remarks beyond these acknowledgments and expressions of shared sentiment.
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…
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…
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…
of vexed questions respecting Presidential inability are measures which may justly receive your serious consideration. As the time draws nigh when I am to retire from the public service, I can not refrain from expressing to the members of the National Legislature with whom I have been brought into personal and official intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation with the Executive in so many measures calculated to promote the best interests of the nation. And to my fellow-citizens generally I acknowledge a deep sense of obligation…
More questions about this book
- Arthur describes both "rare prosperity" and a national "calamity." How do these contrasting themes work together in his address to paint a picture of the nation's condition, and what underlying message might he be conveying about national resilience or divine will?
- 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?