Sunday Laws and Political Hypocrisy
Belgium goes on chopping off the hands of Kongo natives, and otherwise punishing them, when they fail to do their tasks in unpaid service for the king. But Belgium has enacted a Sunday law, to take effect next July, which is quite stringent in its provisions. So it is in this country; the more corrupt our politicians become, the more ready they are to make a show of morality by supporting enforced Sunday observance. This fact is manifest in the increased activity of Sunday agitators, and their encouragement by politicians who personally care nothing for Sunday or any other religion. The principle is the same as that which the Saviour denounced when he said, "Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widow's houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." When a professed politician, especially one who shows no personal scruples in the matter, becomes solicitous for stricter Sunday observance, it is pertinent to ask, What is he trying to conceal?