Not only is the effort of the church to control political affairs becoming more and more conspicuous, but the disposition of secular officials to regulate the morals of the country and to dip into religious matters in an official way is also looming into prominence. From a mere recommendation that the people observe a certain day for thanksgiving, etc. (which never was the legitimate province of either President or governor, as some of them have recognized), we have arrived at a time when the President arbitrarily designates and sets apart a day for thanksgiving and prayer throughout the land. The next thing will probably be a law forbidding any work on that day. In the President's proclamation setting apart Thursday, the 26th inst., he not only makes an arbitrary appointment, but he enjoins upon the people what they shall do. He says: "On that day let all our people forego their usual work and occupation, and, assembled in their accustomed places of worship, let them, with one accord, render thanks," etc. Why on that day more than on any other day? Is it just because the President says so? By what authority does the President "set apart" a day of worship? People who worship "in spirit and in truth" do so voluntarily; they give thanks every day. If they do not do so, of what avail are the thanks rendered at the behest of the President once a year. Experience has shown that such days are occasions more of gluttony and drunkenness than of thanksgiving and prayer.
Of course the President's proclamation has no legal force, but it is given with all the formality of executive authority, sealed with the seal of the United States and attested by the Secretary of State. The language is strikingly similar to the first Sunday law of Constantine, emperor of Rome, in which by way of command he used the formula, "Let all judges and all city people and all tradesmen rest upon the venerable day of the sun," etc. The National Reformers, who are seeking the enforcement of religious observances by the government, are especially elated over the progress evinced by the language of this latest proclamation. And that they expect still further advancements in this respect, is shown by the following expression by the Christian Statesman: "Let us hope that President McKinley's Thanksgiving proclamations, in more senses than one, will begin where President Cleveland's Thanksgiving proclamations end."
