Whereas, in his inscrutable wisdom, it has pleased God to remove
from us the illustrious head of the Nation, James A. Garfield, late
President of the United States; and whereas it is fitting that the
deep grief which fills all hearts should manifest itself with one
accord toward the throne of infinite grace, and that we should bow
before the Almighty and seek from him that consolation in our
affliction and that sanctification of our loss which he is able and
willing to vouchsafe:
Now, therefore, in obedience to sacred duty, and in accordance with
the desire of the people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the
United States of America, do hereby appoint Monday next, the
twenty-sixth day of September, on which day the remains of our
honored and beloved dead will be consigned to their last
resting-place on earth; to be observed throughout the United States
as a day of humiliation and mourning; and I earnestly recommend all
the people to assemble on that day in their respective places of
divine worship, there to render alike their tribute of sorrowful
submission to the will of Almighty God and of reverence and love
for the memory and character of our late Chief Magistrate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed.
[Sidenote: [SEAL.]]
Done at the city of Washington, the twenty-second day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1881, and of the independence of the United
States the one hundred and sixth.