Jefferson Invoked

God-fearing citizens were indignant, agnostics surprised, atheists delighted, at a letter mailed and made public last week by one Freeman Hopwood of Manhattan who signed himself "General Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, Inc." The letter:

President Herbert Hoover, The White House, Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

"The American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, Inc., with members in every state and territory of the Union, and on behalf of millions of unorganized Atheists, respectfully requests that you refrain this year from issuing the Thanksgiving Proclamation.

"Should it be your intention, however, to issue this religious document, we would call to your attention a statement made by one of your predecessors, Thomas Jefferson, who, during his eight years as Chief Executive refused to issue religious proclamations. He said:

" 'I consider the Government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from meddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. . . . But it is only proposed that I should recommend, not prescribe a day ... of praying. That is, I should indirectly assume to the United States an authority over religious exercises, which the Constitution has directly precluded them from. . . . Every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents.'

"We call upon you to return to the precedent established by Jefferson. The annual issuance of the religious document known as the Thanksgiving Proclamation is highly offensive to many loyal American citizens who do not believe in God. To recommend that these Atheists gather in places of worship and give thanks to a being whose existence they deny is not in keeping with the secular spirit of our godless Constitution.

"The past year brought disaster to many of our people. The Mediterranean fruit fly, invading the State of Florida, threatens to cause a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

"Should our protest go unheeded, we request that you refer to these catastrophes in the Thanksgiving Proclamation. Your action in this matter will be a sufficient reply to our request."