1881 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.