Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-23
A DAY OF MOURNING PROCLAIMED

OaDlnet, anu SofeIh VI tho SePiS
Court and Senators and members OF
the House Of Representatives,-all who
could be notified this forenoon in time
to be present; also General Sherman,
General Grant, Hon. Hamilton Hamlip,
General Beale and few others. This
step was taken after q conference be-
tween Secretary Blaine and the Attor-
ney General. Very few persons knew
the oath was to be administered until
the funeral was oyer. The Pres
ident and members OF the Cab.
met has assembled in the marble
room shortly before IL N. The Chief
Justice was in his full robes Of office.
Accompanied by the Associate Justices
he proceeded from the Supreme Court
room, and the marble room doors were
immediately closed, and without any
formality the President arose and stand.
ing on one side Of the centre table and
Chief Justice Waite on the other, took
the oath Of office. The President was
calm and composed, and his response
"Ss help me God" was in firm tone and
without tremor. The President then
read from manuscript notes the follow
ing address:
President Arthur's Address.
"For the fourth time in the history OF
the republic its chief 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, his protract-
ed sufferings, his unyielding fortitude,
the example and achievements OF his
life and the pathos OF his death will for
ever illuminate the pages OF our history.
For the fourth time the officer elected by
the people and ordained by the consti-
tuition to fill the vacancy so created is
called to assume the executive chair The
wisdom OF our fathers foreseeing even
the most dire possibilities have made
sure that the Government should never
be imperilled because OF the uncertainty
of human life. Men may die, but the
fabrics OF our institutions remain un-
shaken. No higher or more assuring
proof could be asked of the strength and
permanence OF popular government
than the fact that though the chosen OF
the people be struck down, his constltu.
tional successor is to be peacefully in.
stalled without shock or strain except
the sorrow which mourns the bereave-
ment. All the noble aspirations OF my
lamented predecessor, which found ex-
preston in his lie, the measures devils
ed and suggested during his brief ad.
ministration to correct abuses and
enforce economy, to advance prosperity
and promote the general welfare, to
ensure domestic security and maintain
friendly and honorable relations with
the nations OF the earth, will be
Gsrnered In the Hearts of the People,
and it will be my earnest endeavor to pro-
fit and see that the nation shall profit by
that example and experience. Prosper
ity blesses our country. Our fiscal policy
as fixed by law is well grounded and
generally approved. No threatening
Issue mars our foreign intercourse, and
the wisdom, integrity and thrift OF our
people may be trusted to continue nm
distulb bed the present assured career OF
peace, tranquility and welfare. The
gloom and anxiety which have en-
shrouded the country must make re-
pose especially welcome now. No de-
mand for speedy legislation has been
heard. No adequate occasion is
apparent for any unusual
session of Congress. The Constitution
defines the functions and powers of the
Executive as clearly as those of either
of the other two departments OF the
Government, and must answer for the
lust exercise OF the discretion it permits,
and the performance of the duties it
imposes. Summoned to these high du-
ties and responsibilities and profoundly
conscious of their magnitude and gravi-
ty,
Assume the Trust Imposed
by the Constitution, relying for aid on
the Divine guidance, and the virtue,
patriotism and intelligence OF the Amer
| lean people" After the reading OF the
address by the President, Secretary
Blaine stepped forward and grasped the
Presidents hand, and after him other
members OF the Cabinet, and all present
shook hands with the President. Ex-
President Hayes arrived at the Capitol
soon after the ceremony OF
taking the oath had been
CT included, and in company with Gen.
Grant shortly after lett the capitol. A
meeting of the cabinet was inmediately
held after the ceremony OF taking the
oath was concluded and continued till
half.past l. A proclamation has been
prepared and signed by the President
designating Monday, the 26th, the day
on which the funeral takes place, as the
day OF fasting and prayer throughout
the country. No other business was
transacted. The members of the cabinet
were requested TO retain their respective
positions. Il is authoritstively learned
as well as indicated by the President s
address that there will be no session OF
Congress until the regular one. The fol-
lowing
Proclamation
has been issued by the President OF the
United States OF America:
'BY TIE PRESIDENT: A PROCLAMATION.
"wHkRrAa, In.his inscru utabls wisdom
| It has pleased Almighty God to remove
from rs the illustrious head OF the na.
LOu, SAucS n. udructu, HUG EtootooiAs
of the United States; and
"WHERE,s, 1t is fitting that the deep
grief which fills all hearts should mani
fest itself with one accord toward the
throne of infinite grace and We should
bow before the Almighty and seek from
him that consolation in our affiiction
and that sanctiication Of our loss which
he Is able and willing to vouehsafe;
"Now, therefore, in obedience to a
sacred duty and in accordance with the
desire OF the people, l, Chester A. Ar
thur, President of the United
I States Of America, doi hereby
appoint Mondsy next, the 18th dsy OF
September, 1881. on which day the re-
mains of our honored and beloved dead
will be consigned to their last resting
place on ear b, to be observed through
out the United States as day OF humil-
istion aud mourning, and l earnestly
recommend 70 all people to assemble
On that day in their reepective places OF
worship, there TO repder alike their
frihute IN a,rrowfnl suhuission tn the