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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31819-8.txt b/31819-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..49035c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/31819-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7221 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ku Klux Klan, by +J. C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. Fleming + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ku Klux Klan + Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment + +Author: J. C. Lester + D. L. Wilson + Walter L. Fleming + +Release Date: March 29, 2010 [EBook #31819] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KU KLUX KLAN *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has | + | been preserved. | + | | + | The pages in Appendix I and II are preserved as printed, | + | with latin headers and page numbers marked like so: | + | [Header: 'text' 'page number'], and latin footers like | + | so: [Footer: 'text'.] A compiled version is included at | + | the end for the benefit of the reader. | + | | + | Many of the illustrations are facsimiles, so have | + | bleedthrough in the original images. Also the first | + | image is missing in the original. | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + KU KLUX KLAN + + ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND + DISBANDMENT + + BY + + J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON + + WITH + APPENDICES CONTAINING THE PRESCRIPTS + OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, SPECIMEN + ORDERS AND WARNINGS + + WITH + INTRODUCTION AND NOTES + BY + WALTER L. FLEMING, PH. D. + + _Professor of History in West Virginia University; Author + of "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama."_ + + + + +NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT. + + +Assistance was given to me while searching for information in regard +to Ku Klux Klan, by many former members of the order, and by their +friends and relatives. Of especial value were the details given to me +by Major James R. Crowe, of Sheffield, Alabama; the late Ryland +Randolph, Esq., and his son, Ryland Randolph, Jr., of Birmingham, +Alabama; Judge Z.T. Ewing, of Pulaski, Tennessee; Miss Cora R. Jones, +of Birmingham, Alabama, niece of one of the founders of the Klan; Mr. +Lacy H. Wilson, of Bristol, Tennessee, the son of one of the authors +of the History printed within, Major S.A. Cunningham and Mr. A.V. +Goodpasture, of Nashville, and Dr. John A. Wyeth, of New York City. + +There is still much that is obscure about Ku Klux Klan and I shall be +glad to obtain additional information in regard to the order, and also +to receive notice of mistakes and errors in this account. + + W.L.F. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + +INTRODUCTION. +BY WALTER L. FLEMING. 13 + + +KU KLUX KLAN. + +BY J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON. + + PAGE + +Chapter I. The Origin 47 + +Chapter II. The Spread of the Klan 68 + +Chapter III. The Transformation 83 + +Chapter IV. The Decline 100 + +Chapter V. Disbandment 125 + + +APPENDICES. + + PAGE + +Appendix I. Prescript of Ku Klux Klan 133 + +Appendix II. Revised and Amended Prescript of Ku Klux Klan 151 + +Appendix III. Constitution of a Local Order 177 + +Appendix IV. Ku Klux Orders, Warnings, and Oaths 187 + +Index 199 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +1. Badge worn by high officials of the Klan. See outside cover. + + PAGE + +2. Some Klansmen 19 + +3. General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Grand Wizard 28 + +4. General John B. Gordon 33 + +5. Room in which the Klan was organized 53 + +6. Costumes worn in Mississippi and West Alabama 58 + +7. Costumes worn in Tennessee and North Alabama 97 + +8. Carpetbaggers Listening to a Ku Klux Report, (Cartoon) 113 + +9. The Fate of the Carpetbagger and the Scalawag, (Cartoon) 192 + +10. A Specimen Warning sent by the Klan 196 + + + + + "When laws become lawless contrivances to defeat + the ends of justice, it is not surprising that + the people resort to lawless expedients for + securing their rights."--_S.S. Cox, in "Three + Decades," p. 558._ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY + +WALTER L. FLEMING + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +By WALTER L. FLEMING, Ph. D., + +Professor of History in West Virginia University. + + +Twenty-one years ago there was privately printed in Nashville, +Tennessee, a little book by J.C. Lester and D.L. Wilson, that +purported to be an account, from inside information, of the great +secret order of Reconstruction days, known to the public as Ku Klux +Klan. It attracted little notice then; and since that time it has not +been given the attention it deserved as a historical document.[1] At +the time of writing, sectional feeling was still inflamed; the +Northern people were not ready to hear anything favorable about the Ku +Klux Klan, which they considered a band of outlaws and murderers; and +the Southern people were not desirous of being reminded of the +dreadful Reconstruction period. Many of the members of the Klan who +had been hunted for their lives, and who were still technically +outlawed, were unwilling to make known their connection with the order +and some even considered their oaths still binding. But since the book +was printed, the Prescripts or Constitutions of the order have come to +light, and the ex-members are now generally willing to tell all they +know about the organization. As yet, no other member has written an +account of the Klan, though several have been projected, and Lester +and Wilson's History seems likely to remain the only one written +altogether from inside sources. + +The authors, Capt. John C. Lester and Rev. D.L. Wilson, were in 1884, +when the booklet was written, residents in Pulaski, Tennessee, where +the first Den of the Klan was founded. Major Lester was one of the six +original members of the Pulaski Den or Circle. He made a fine record +as a soldier in the Civil War in the Third Tennessee (Confederate) +Infantry, and afterwards became a lawyer and an official in the +Methodist Church, and was a member of the Tennessee legislature at the +time of writing the book. Rev. D.L. Wilson, who put the account into +its present form, was born in 1849, in Augusta County, Virginia. He +went to school to Jed Hotchkiss and was graduated as valedictorian of +his class from Washington and Lee University, in 1873, and a year +later from the Union Theological Seminary, near Hampden-Sidney, +Virginia. From 1874 to 1880 he was pastor of a Presbyterian church at +Broadway, Virginia, and from 1880 to 1902 he served a church in +Pulaski, Tennessee. He died in 1902 after a six months' residence in +Bristol, Tennessee, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. He was +not a member of the Klan, but was acquainted with the founders and +with many other former members, and had access to all the records of +the order that had not been destroyed. In addition to information +received from other members, Wilson was assisted by Captain Lester, +who furnished most of the facts used, revised the manuscript and the +book was printed with both names on the title page. + +As a general account of the Ku Klux movement Lester and Wilson's +History leaves something to be desired. It is colored too much by +conditions in Tennessee. No knowledge is shown of other organizations +similar to Ku Klux Klan, when in fact there were several other very +important ones, such as the White Brotherhood, the White League, the +Pale Faces, the Constitutional Union Guards, and one, the Knights of +the White Camelia,[2] that was larger than the Klan and covered a +wider territory. Then, too, in an attempt to make a moderate statement +that would be generally accepted, the authors failed to portray +clearly the chaotic social, economic and political conditions that +caused the rise of such orders, and in endeavoring to condemn the acts +of violence committed under cloak of the order they went too far in +the direction of apologetic explanation. Consequently, the causes seem +somewhat trivial and the results not very important.[3] It would seem +from their account that after a partial success, the movement failed +in its attempt to regulate society, and degenerated into general +disorder. This is a superficial conclusion and is not concurred in by +the survivors of the period and those who understand the conditions of +that time. The remnants of such a secret, illegal order were certain +to degenerate finally into violence, but before it reached this stage +it had accomplished much good in reducing to order the social +chaos.[4] + + [Illustration: SOME KLANSMEN + 1. D.L. Wilson, one of the authors of "Ku Klux Klan." 2. Major + J.R. Crowe, one of the founders. 3. Captain John C. Lester, one + of the founders. 4. General Albert Pike, chief judicial officer. + 5. General W.J. Hardee. 6. Calvin Jones, one of the founders. 7. + Ryland Randolph.] + +In view of the fact that the Lester and Wilson account does not +mention names it will be of interest to examine the _personnel_ of the +original Pulaski Circle, out of which the Klan developed. (See p. 52). +There were six young men in the party that first began to meet in the +fall and winter of 1865: (1) Captain John C. Lester, of whom something +has been said. (2) Major James Richard Crowe, now of Sheffield, +Alabama, who was a native of Pulaski and was educated at Waterbury +Academy and Giles College. When the Civil War began he was studying +law in Marion, Alabama, and enlisted at once in the Marion Rifles, +Company "G," Fourth Alabama Infantry. Later he was transferred to the +35th Tennessee Infantry. He was in the battles of Manassas, Fort +Donelson, Shiloh, Shelton's Hill, White Farm, Richmond, Perrysville, +and others of less importance. Three times he was severely wounded and +twice discharged for disability. He was captured with Sam Davis and +both were tried as spies; Crowe was acquitted and Davis was hanged. He +has held high rank in the Masonic order and has been an official in +the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. (3) John Kennedy, the only +survivor of the original six except Major Crowe. He was a soldier in +the 3rd Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War, is a Presbyterian, +and an honored citizen of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. (4) Calvin Jones, +son of Judge Thomas M. Jones, was a lawyer, and a member of the +Episcopal Church. He was Adjutant of the 32nd Tennessee Infantry +during the Civil War. (5) Richard R. Reed was a lawyer, a +Presbyterian, and during the war had served in the 3rd Tennessee +Infantry. (6) Frank O. McCord was editor of the _Pulaski Citizen_, a +Methodist, and had been a private soldier in the Confederate service. +Two others came in at the second or third meeting--Capt. J.L. Pearcy, +later of Nashville, now of Washington, D.C., and James McCallum.[5] +The founders were all of Scotch-Irish descent and most of them were +Presbyterians. + +In regard to the founding of the Pulaski Circle, Major J.R. Crowe +says: "Frank O. McCord was elected Grand Cyclops, and James R. Crowe, +Grand Turk. A committee composed of Richard R. Reed and Calvin +Jones[6] was appointed to select a name for the organization. The +Greek for _circle_ was chosen. We called it Kuklos, which was changed +to Ku Klux afterward when the name was proposed to the Circle. John +Kennedy suggested that we add another _K_, and the order was then +called Ku Klux Klan.... The mysterious lights seen floating about the +ruins (See p. 61) presented a weird and uncanny appearance and filled +the superstitious with dread of the place; so we were never disturbed, +and it only required a quaint garb and a few mysterious sounds to +convince the uninitiated that we were spirits from the other world. We +were quick to catch on to this idea and we governed ourselves +accordingly.... During our parades or appearances in public the +darkies either hid out or remained close in their houses.... The +origin of the order had no political significance. It was at first +purely social and for our amusement. It proved a great blessing to the +entire South and did what the State and Federal officials could not +do--it brought order out of chaos and peace and happiness to our +beloved South.... The order was careful in the admission of members +and I have never known of a betrayal of the secrets of the order. I am +proud to say that I never knew of one single act done by the genuine +Ku Klux Klan that I am ashamed of or do not now endorse." + +Major Crowe and other members repeatedly mention the fact that the +membership of the Klan was largely of Scotch-Irish descent. This was +bound to be the case since in the territory covered by the Klan proper +the great majority of the Scotch-Irish of the South were settled. The +Ku Klux Klan extended from Virginia to Mississippi through the white +county section--the Piedmont and mountain region. It seldom extended +into the Black Belt, though it was founded on its borders. There +another similar order--the Knights of the White Camelia--held sway. In +the Piedmont region before the spread of the Klan, there were numerous +secret protective societies among the whites, and these were later +absorbed into the Klan. The Klan led a more strenuous existence than +the Black Belt orders. In most of its territory, social conditions +were worse than in the black counties. It is a mistake to consider +that in 1865-1870, the whites in the densest black districts were in +the place of greatest danger. There the blacks were usually the best +behaved; there the whites were never divided and never lost their grip +on society; there the negro still respected the white people as +beings almost superhuman. But race relations were worse in the white +districts where there was a lower class of whites, some of whom +mistreated the negro and others encouraged him to violence. Here the +negro had never had the great respect for _all_ whites that the Black +Belt negro had, and here the whites were somewhat divided among +themselves. During the war the "tories," so called, or those who +claimed to be Union sympathizers and the Confederates, alternately +mistreated one another, and the close of the war brought no peace to +such communities. To this region escaped the outlaws, deserters, etc., +of both armies during the war, and here the wreckage of war was worst. +Such was the nature of the country where the Klan flourished. It was a +kind of ex-Confederate protest against the doings of the "tories," +Unionists and outlaws, and the negroes banded in the Union League. For +several years neither the Federal Government nor the State Government +gave protection to the ex-Confederates of this region, and naturally +secret associations were formed for self-defense. This method of +self-defense is as old as history.[7] + +The members of Ku Klux Klan are nowadays inclined to consider that +their order comprehended all that took shape in resistance to the +Africanization of society and government during the Reconstruction +period. As one ex-member said: "Nearly all prominent +men--ex-Confederates--in all the Southern states were connected in +some way with the Klan." This is true only indirectly. Nearly all +white men, it may be said, took part in the movement now called the +"Ku Klux Movement." But more of them belonged to other organizations +than were members of the Klan. The Klan had the most striking name and +it was later applied to the whole movement. The more prominent +politicians, it is said, had no direct connection with any such +orders. Such connection would have embarrassed and hampered them in +their work, but most of them were in full sympathy with the objects of +the Ku Klux movement, and profited by its successes. Many of the +genuine Unionists later joined in the movement, and there were some +few negro members, I have been told. Some prominent men were honorary +members, so to speak, of the order. They sympathized with its objects, +and gave advice and encouragement, but were not initiated and did not +take active part. General John B. Gordon, of Georgia, and General W.J. +Hardee, of Alabama, were such members. The active members were, as a +rule, young men. In this respect the Klan differed from the order of +White Camelia, which discouraged the initiation of very young men. + +Some well-known members of the Klan were General John C. Brown, of +Pulaski, Tennessee; Captain John W. Morton, now Secretary of State of +Tennessee; Ryland Randolph, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, editor of the +_Independent Monitor_, the official organ of the Klan in Alabama; +General N.B. Forrest and General George W. Gordon, of Memphis, +Tennessee; Generals John B. Gordon, A.H. Colquitt, G.T. Anderson and +A.R. Lawton, of Georgia; General W.J. Hardee, of Alabama; Colonel +Joseph Fussell, of Columbia, Tennessee. General Albert Pike, who stood +high in the Masonic order, was the chief judicial officer of the Klan. + +General Forrest heard of the order after it began to spread, and after +investigation consented to become its head as Grand Wizard. He was +initiated by Captain John W. Morton, who had formerly been his chief +of artillery. Under him the order, which was becoming demoralized, was +reorganized. As soon as it had done its work he disbanded it. An +enterprising newspaper reporter interviewed General Forrest, in 1868, +on the subject of Ku Klux Klan and extracted much information;[8] but +when before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, in 1871, the General +would make only general statements and he evaded some of the +interrogatories. To the committee he appeared to be wonderfully +familiar with the principles of the order, but very ignorant as to +details. The average member of Congress, ignorant of Southern +conditions, did not understand that the members of the order +considered themselves bound by the supreme oath of the Klan and that +other oaths, if in conflict with it, were not binding. That is, the +ex-Confederates under the command of Forrest, Grand Wizard of the +Invisible Empire, were obeying the first law of nature and were bound +to reveal nothing to injure the cause, just as when Confederates under +Forrest, Lieutenant-General of the Confederate Army, they were bound +not to reveal military information to the hostile forces. The +government, in their view, had not only failed to protect them, but +was being used to oppress them. Consequently they were disregarding +its claim to obedience. + + [Illustration: GENERAL N.B. FORREST + Grand Wizard of Ku Klux Klan + FACING PAGE 28] + +Now that General Forrest's connection with the Klan is known it is +amusing to read the testimony he gave before the Ku Klux Committee of +Congress in 1871.[9] Though evading questions aimed to elicit definite +information, yet he was willing to speak of the general conditions +that caused the development of the organization in Tennessee. He +stated that it was meant as a defensive organization among the +Southern whites to offset the work of the Union League, which had +organized, armed and drilled the negroes, and had committed numerous +outrages on the whites; to protect ex-Confederates from extermination +by Brownlow's "loyal" militia, to prevent the burning by negroes of +gins, mills, dwellings, and villages, which was becoming common; to +protect white women from criminal negro men; in short to make life and +property safe and keep the South from becoming a second San Domingo. +He stated that about the time the order arose he was getting as many +as fifty letters a day from his old soldiers who were suffering under +the disordered conditions that followed the war, whose friends and +relatives were being murdered, whose wives and daughters were being +insulted, etc. They wanted advice and assistance from him. Not being +able to write himself, on account of a wounded shoulder, he kept a +secretary busy answering such letters. Most of the defensive bodies, +Forrest stated, had no names and had no connection with one another. +He admitted that he had belonged to the Pale Faces, and that he fully +approved of the objects of the Klan. A copy of the original Prescript +was shown to him and he was able to say that he had never seen it +before. In his day, the Revised and Amended Prescript was used, which +was never discovered by any investigating committee. He maintained +that the order was careful in admitting new members, only sober, +mature, discreet gentlemen being allowed to join. At one time, Forrest +estimated, so a newspaper reporter stated, that the Klan had 40,000 +members in Tennessee and 550,000 in the entire South. This estimate +was probably not exaggerated if the entire membership of all the +orders similar to the Klan be counted in. Forrest refused to give the +names of members. It is likely, from several bits of evidence, that he +had much to do with consolidating the order, giving it a military +organization, and making its work effective. + +General John B. Gordon, the most prominent military man, next to +Forrest, who was connected with the Klan, gave a clear account of the +conditions in Georgia that led to the organization of the defensive +societies of whites.[10] In Georgia the state of affairs where General +Gordon lived was in some respects unlike conditions in Tennessee. In +Tennessee the whites were somewhat divided among themselves and there +were not so many blacks. In Georgia, according to Gordon, the +principal danger was from blacks, incited to hostility and violence by +alien whites of low character. The latter organized the negroes into +armed Union Leagues, taught them that the whites were hostile to all +their rights, and that the lands of the whites were to be, or ought to +be, divided among the blacks. Under such influences the negroes who +had not made trouble began to show signs of restlessness; some of them +banded together to plunder the whites, and serious crimes became +frequent, especially that of rape, and men were afraid to leave their +families in order to attend to their business. The whites feared a +general insurrection of the blacks, and as Gordon stated, "if the sort +of teachings given [to the negroes] in Georgia had been carried out to +its logical results the negroes would have slaughtered whole +neighborhoods." That they did not do so, was, in his opinion, due to +the forbearance and self-control of the whites, and to the natural +kindness and good disposition of the negroes and their remembrance of +former pleasant relations with the whites. There was no great danger, +as one can see today, of the negro uprisings, but the whites thought +then that there was. The religious frenzy of the blacks during the +year after the war also alarmed the whites. The black troops stationed +in Georgia were frequently guilty of gross outrages against white +citizens and were a constant incitement to violence on the part of +their fellow blacks. The carpetbag government pardoned and turned +loose upon society the worst criminals. There was no law for several +years. The whites were subject to arbitrary arrest and trials by +drumhead courts-martial; military prisoners were badly mistreated. In +general, society and government were in a condition of anarchy; the +white race was disorganized, and the blacks organized, but not for +good purposes. + + [Illustration: GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON + Head of Klan in Georgia + FACING PAGE 33] + +General Gordon spoke of another matter often mentioned by the best +class of ex-Confederate soldiers: the Southern soldier believed +that the "Appomattox Program" had not been carried out. At Appomattox +the magnanimity of General Grant and the victorious soldiers had +impressed very favorably the defeated Confederates. The latter +believed that if Grant and the soldiers who had defeated them had been +allowed to settle matters, there would have been no more trouble. +Instead, the politicians had taken charge and had stirred up endless +strife. No effort at conciliation had been made; and the magnanimity +of Grant gave way to the vindictive policies of politicians.[11] The +whites believed that the "understanding of Appomattox" had been +violated and that they had been deliberately humiliated by the +Washington government. + +Such were some of the influences, in General Gordon's opinion, that +caused the spread of the Klan in Georgia. He says that he heartily +approved the objects of the order, that it was purely for +self-protection, an organization for police purposes, a peace police, +which kept the peace, prevented riots, and restrained the passionate +whites as well as the violent blacks. Its membership was, he said, of +the best citizens, mostly ex-Confederates, led by the instinct of +self-preservation to band together. It was secret because the leaders +were sure that the sympathy of the Federal Government would be against +them and would consider a public organization a fresh rebellion. It +took no part in politics and died out when the whites were able to +obtain protection from the police and the courts. + +These were the explanations of men who were high in the order but who +never attended a meeting and were never in actual contact with its +workings. Private members--Ghouls they were called--could have told +more thrilling stories. But deficient as the accounts of Gordon and +Forrest are in detail they supplement the history of Lester and Wilson +in explaining the causes that lay at the bottom of the secret +revolution generally called the Ku Klux Movement. + +As to the success or failure of the movement, Lester and Wilson, +condemning the violence that naturally resulted from the movement, +cause the impression (Ch. 4) that the main result was disorder. Such +was not the case, nor was it the intention of the writers to create +such an impression. The important work of the Klan was accomplished in +regaining for the whites control over the social order and in putting +them in a fair way to regain political control. In some States this +occurred sooner than in others. When the order accomplished its work +it passed away. It was formally disbanded before the evil results of +carpet bag governments could be seen. When it went out of existence in +1869, there had been few outrages, but its name and prestige lived +after it and served to hide the evil deeds of all sorts and conditions +of outlaws. But these could be crushed by the government, State or +Federal. In a wider and truer sense the phrase "Ku Klux Movement" +means the attitude of Southern whites toward the various measures of +Reconstruction lasting from 1865 until 1876, and, in some respects, +almost to the present day. + + * * * * * + +Two elaborate Prescripts or Constitutions were adopted by the Ku Klux +Klan--the original Prescript (See Appendix I) and the Revised and +Amended Prescript (See Appendix II). The ritual and initiatory +ceremonies and obligations were never printed. The by-laws and the +ritual of the Pulaski Circle or Den were elaborate but were in +manuscript only. They were quite absurd and were intended only to +furnish amusement to the members at the expense of the candidates for +initiation. No oaths were prescribed--only a pledge of secrecy. As the +Klan spread among neighboring towns, the Pulaski by-laws and ritual +were modified for the use of new Dens. After the Klan had changed +character and become a body of regulators, and it was decided that the +administration should be centralized, a convention of delegates from +the Dens met in Nashville, in April, 1867, and adopted the original +Prescript already referred to. Lester and Wilson are mistaken in +saying (Ch. 3) that the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted at +this convention. Where and how this Prescript was printed no one now +knows. A copy was sent, without notice or explanation, from Memphis to +the Grand Cyclops of each Den. It must have been printed in a small +printing office since in the last pages the supply of *'s and +'s ran +out and other characters were substituted. Many Dens used only this +Prescript, and most of the members have never heard of more than one +Prescript. + +In some respects this first Constitution was found defective and in +1868 the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted. Who framed it we +do not know, but it is known how it was printed. Frank O. McCord, one +of the founders of the Pulaski Circle, was editor of the _Pulaski +Citizen_. A relative of his who worked in the printing office of the +_Citizen_, made the following statement some years ago in reference to +a copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript.[12] + +"This is an exact copy of the original Prescript printed in the office +of the Pulaski (Tennessee) _Citizen_, L.W. McCord, proprietor, in +1868. I was a printer boy, and with John H. Kirk, the father of the +Rev. Harry Kirk, recently of Nashville, set the type. My brother, L.W. +McCord, received a communication one day, delivered to him by means of +a hole in the wall near the door, in which the Ku Klux deposited all +their communications for the paper, asking for an estimate for +printing this pamphlet, describing it. He delivered his reply in the +same hole, and the following morning the copy in full, the money, and +minute directions as to the disposition of the books when completed, +were in the hole. We did it all under seal of secrecy and concealment, +hid the galleys of type as they were set up, stitched them with our +own hands in a back room over Shapard's store, and trimmed them with a +shoe knife on the floor. When finished they were tied into a bundle +and deposited late at night just outside the office door, whence they +were immediately taken by unseen hands. I knew personally all the +originators of the Ku Klux Klan, and the history of its origin, its +deeds, purposes and accomplishments. + + "LAPS D. MCCORD."[13] + +It will be noticed on comparing the two Prescripts that there are some +considerable differences between the two. The Revised and Amended +Prescript is eight pages longer than the other; the name of the order +is longer; the poetical selections that introduce the first are +omitted from the second; the second has Latin quotations only at the +top of the page; and the second Prescript throws much more light on +the character and objects of the order; the register is changed, and +important changes in the administration are provided for. + +The imperfect Prescript printed in Appendix III was used in the +Carolinas and was evidently written out from memory by some person who +had belonged to the genuine Klan. The members were widely scattered +and to many of them the entire contents of the Prescript were never +known. + +When the Klan was disbanded strict orders were issued that all +documents relating to the order should be destroyed and few +Prescripts escaped. At present only one copy of the original copy is +known to be in existence. That one was used by Ryland Randolph, of +Tuscaloosa, Alabama, formerly Grand Giant of a province of the order, +and was given to me by him. It is a little brown pamphlet of sixteen +pages, and is reprinted in Appendix I. Randolph stated that he never +saw the Revised Prescript. There are two copies of the Revised and +Amended Prescript, one in the library of the Southern Society of New +York, which is now deposited with the Columbia University Library; the +other belongs to Mr. J.L. Pearcy, formerly of Nashville, now of +Washington, D.C. From the latter copy the late Dr. W.R. Garrett, of +Nashville, had the plates made that are now used in reproducing the +Revised and Amended Prescript in Appendix II. + + * * * * * + +The curious orders and warnings printed in Appendix IV had several +purposes. They were meant to warn and frighten evil-doers, to mystify +the public, and to give notice to members. Parts of the orders were +written in cypher which could be interpreted by the initiated. The +rest was gloomy sounding nonsense calculated to alarm some obnoxious +person or persons. The cypher used is found in the Register of the +Prescript. All orders that I have seen were written according to the +Register of the first Prescript. This may be accounted for by the fact +that in 1868 it was generally forbidden by law or by military order to +print or distribute notices from the Ku Klux Klan. About all that the +cypher was used for, I have been told, was to fix dates, etc. There +are thirty-one adjectives in the Register, one for each day of the +month, the first twelve for the morning hours, the last twelve for the +evening hours, and the seven in the middle for the days of the week. +The last word--"Cumberland"--is said to have been a general password. +At first the orders were printed in the newspapers, and during the +winter of 1867-1868 and the spring of 1868 many of them appeared. As +to the significance of the orders printed in Appendix IV, Ryland +Randolph wrote: "I well remember those notices you saw in _The +Monitor_ for they were concocted and posted by my own hand, disguised, +of course." ... "You ask if any of the notices you saw in _The +Monitor_ had any real meaning. Well, they had this much meaning: the +very night of the day on which these notices made their appearances, +three notably offensive negro men were dragged out of their beds, +escorted to the old bone-yard (¾ mile from Tuscaloosa) and thrashed in +the regular ante-bellum style until their unnatural nigger pride had a +tumble, and humbleness to the white man reigned supreme." + + * * * * * + +Some of the illustrations used are of historical interest. The cartoon +opposite p. 192 is taken from the _Independent Monitor_ of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama, a Ku Klux newspaper. The hanging carpetbagger was Rev. A.S. +Lakin, of Ohio, a Northern Methodist missionary to the negroes, who +had succeeded in getting himself elected President of the University +of Alabama. The other hanging figure represents Dr. N.B. Cloud, the +scalawag superintendent of public instruction who was assisting Lakin +to get his position. They were both driven from Tuscaloosa by the +Klan. The wood-cut from which this picture was printed was fashioned +by Randolph himself in _The Monitor_ office. The picture was eagerly +welcomed by the Reconstructionists as an evidence of the state of +affairs in Alabama, and it was reproduced far and wide during the +Presidential campaign of 1868. Randolph's brother Democrats were +furious because he had furnished such excellent campaign material to +the other side. In one of Randolph's letters he states: "The name of +the Ohio newspaper that republished my famous wood-cut was the +_Cincinnati Commercial_. I have good authority for stating that said +paper issued 500,000 copies for distribution throughout Ohio during +the Seymour-Grant campaign. Not only this, but a Columbus, Ohio, paper +also issued a large edition." + +The cartoon opposite p. 113 is reproduced from "The Loil Legislature," +a pamphlet by Capt. B.H. Screws, of Montgomery. The Alabama +Reconstruction Legislature was the first to make an investigation of +Ku Klux Klan and _Sibley_ and _Coon_ were two carpetbaggers active in +the investigation. + +Opposite p. 196 is a typical warning sent to persons obnoxious to the +Klan. It is taken from the Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony. + +The costumes represented opposite p. 58 were captured in Mississippi +and were worn both in Mississippi and in Western Alabama. The +costumes represented opposite p. 97 were captured after the famous Ku +Klux parade in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1868. Federal soldiers donned +the captured disguises and were photographed. During the campaign of +1868 the pictures were reproduced in the Reconstructionist newspapers. + +Miss Cora R. Jones kindly furnished a drawing (see outside cover) of +the badge worn by the higher officials of the Klan, and a sketch of +the room (see p. 53) in which the Klan was founded. Her uncle, Calvin +Jones, was one of the founders, the father, Charles P. Jones, was also +a member and the badge mentioned belonged to him. + +The text of the Lester and Wilson History is reprinted without change. + + _West Virginia University, + October, 1905._ + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Cutler, in his "Lynch Law," p. 139, is the first writer outside of +the South who has paid serious attention to this history of Ku Klux +Klan. + +[2] The Constitution and Ritual of the Knights of the White Camelia +have been printed in West Virginia University Documents relating to +Reconstruction, No. 1. + +[3] Tourgee's "Invisible Empire" gives the carpetbagger's view of the +Ku Klux movement, and, though filled with worthless testimony from the +Ku Klux Report, it shows a very clear conception of the real meaning +of the movement and a correct appreciation of its results. The best +later interpretation is that of Mr. William Garrott Brown in "The +Lower South," Ch. 4. + +[4] For a full account of its work in Alabama see Fleming's "Civil War +and Reconstruction in Alabama," Ch. 21. + +[5] Other well-known members of the Pulaski Den were: Captain Robert +Mitchell, Captain Thomas McCoy, Dr. M.S. Waters, Dr. James Bowers, +Milton Voorheis, C.P. Jones, Robert Martin, Dr. C.C. Abernathy, I.L. +Shappard, Robert Shappard, J.L. Nelson, John Moore, F.M. Crawford, +Alexander McKissick, W.H. Rose. + +[6] Charles P. Jones, brother of Calvin Jones, joined later. He now +lives in Birmingham, Alabama. + +[7] Examples in European history are the Carbonari of Italy, the +Tugenbund and the Vehmgericht of Germany, the Klephts of Greece, Young +Italy, the Nihilists of Russia, the Masonic order in most Catholic +countries during the first half of the Nineteenth Century, Beati Paoli +of Sicily, the Illuminati, etc. The "Confréries" of Medieval France +were similar illegal societies formed "pour dèfendre les innocentes et +reprimer les violences iniques."--Lavisse et Rambaud, Histoire +Generale, Vol. 2, p. 466. + +[8] See Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, p. 32. + +[9] Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, Florida and Miscellaneous, p. 3. + +[10] See Ku Klux Report, Georgia Testimony, p. 304. + +[11] General Clanton, of Alabama, complained that the Southern people +had passed "out of the hands of warriors into the hands of squaws." +General Edmund W. Pettus, now U.S. Senator from Alabama, said that the +entire Reconstruction was in violation of the understanding made at +the surrender of the Confederate armies. The Confederate soldier +surrendered with arms in hand and in return a certain contract was +made in his parole according to which, as long as he was law-abiding, +he was not to be disturbed. This contract had been violated. The +government of the United States had made a promise to men with arms in +their hands and had violated this promise by passing the +Reconstruction measures, which amounted to punishment of individuals +for alleged crime without trial by law. See Ku Klux Report, Alabama +Testimony, pp. 224, 377, 383. + +[12] It is the copy he refers to that is reproduced in Appendix II. + +[13] _American Historical Magazine_, Vol. 5, p. 4. + + + + +KU KLUX KLAN + +ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DISBANDMENT + +BY + +J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON + + + + +KU KLUX KLAN + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE ORIGIN. + + +There is no stranger chapter in American history than the one which +bears for a title "Ku Klux Klan." The organization which bore this +name went out of life as it came into it, shrouded in deepest mystery. +Its members would not disclose its secrets; others could not. Even the +investigation committee, appointed by Congress, were baffled. The +voluminous reports containing the results of that committee's tedious +and diligent inquiry do not tell when and where and how the Ku Klux +Klan originated. The veil of secrecy still hangs over its grave. We +propose to lift it. + +The time has now arrived when the history of the origin, growth and +final decay of "The Invisible Empire" may be given to the public. +Circumstances not necessary to detail have put it in the power of the +writer to compile such a history. For obvious reasons the names of +individuals are withheld. But the reader may feel assured that this +narrative is drawn from sources which are accurate and authentic. + +The writer does not profess to be able to disclose the secret signs, +grips and pass-words of the order.[14] These have never been disclosed +and probably never will be. But we claim to narrate facts relating to +the order, which have a historic and philosophic value. It is due to +the truth of history; to the student of human nature; to the +statesmen, and to the men who were engaged in this movement, that the +facts connected with this remarkable episode in our nation's history +be frankly and fairly told. + +A wave of excitement, spreading by contagions till the minds of a +whole people are in a ferment, is an event of frequent occurrent. The +Ku Klux movement was peculiar by reason of the causes which produced +and fed the excitement. It illustrates the weird and irresistible +power of the unknown and mysterious over the minds of men of all +classes and conditions in life. And it illustrates how men, by +circumstances and conditions, in part of their own creation, may be +carried away from their moorings and drifted along in a course against +which reason and judgment protest. + +The popular idea supposes the Ku Klux movement to have been conceived +in malice, and nursed by prejudice and hate, for lawlessness, rapine +and murder. The circumstances which brought the Klan into notice and +notoriety were of a character to favor such conclusions. No other +seemed possible. The report of the Congressional Investigating +Committee confirmed it.[15] Even if that report be true, like +everything else which is known of the Ku Klux, it is fragmentary +truth. The whole story has never been told. And the impression +prevails that the Ku Klux Klan was conceived and carried out in pure +and unmixed deviltry. The reader who follows this narrative to its end +will decide, with the facts before him, whether this impression is +just and true. + +The Ku Klux Klan was the outgrowth of peculiar conditions, social, +civil and political, which prevailed at the South from 1865 to 1869. +It was as much a product of those conditions as malaria is of a swamp +and sun heat. + +Its birthplace was Pulaski, the capital of Giles, one of the southern +tier of counties in Middle Tennessee. Pulaski is a town of about three +thousand inhabitants. Previous to the war its citizens possessed +wealth and culture--they retain the second--the first was lost in the +general wreck. The most intimate association with them fails to +disclose a trace of the diabolism which, according to the popular +idea, one would expect to find characterizing the people among whom +the Ku Klux Klan originated. A male college and a female seminary are +located at Pulaski, and receive liberal patronage. It is a town of +churches. + +There, in 1866, the name Ku Klux first fell from human lips. There +began a movement which in a short time spread as far north as +Virginia[16] and as far south as Texas, and which for a period +convulsed the country and attracted the attention of the civilized +world. Proclamations were fulminated against the Klan by the President +and by the Governors of States; and hostile statutes were enacted both +by State and National Legislatures. + +It was finally quieted, but not until there had become associated with +the name Ku Klux gross mistakes and lawless deeds of violence. To this +day there are localities where the utterance of it awakens awe and +fear. + +During the entire period of the Klan's organized existence, Pulaski +continued to be its central seat of authority. Some of its highest +officers resided there. This narrative, therefore, will relate +principally to the growth of the Klan and the measures taken to +suppress it in Tennessee. It is necessary to a clear understanding of +the movement to observe that the history of the Klan is marked by two +distinct and well defined periods. The first period covers the time +from its organization, in 1866, to the summer of 1867. The second from +the summer of 1867 to the date of its disbandment in the early part of +the year 1869.[17] + +The first period contains but little of general interest, but it is +necessary to describe it somewhat minutely, because of its bearing on +subsequent events. When the war ended, the young men of Pulaski, who +had escaped death on the battlefield, returned home and passed through +a period of enforced inactivity. In some respects it was more trying +than the ordeal of war which lay behind them. The reaction which +followed the excitement of army scenes and service was intense. There +was nothing to relieve it. They could not engage at once in business +or professional pursuits. In the case of many, business habits were +broken up. Few had capital to enter mercantile or agricultural +enterprises. There was a total lack of the amusements and social +diversions which prevail wherever society is in a normal condition. + + [Illustration: ROOM IN WHICH THE KLAN WAS FOUNDED + Law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, Pulaski, Tennessee. From + sketch by Miss Cora R. Jones + FACING PAGE 53] + +One evening in May, 1866,[18] a few of these young men met in the +office of one of the most prominent members of the Pulaski bar.[19] In +the course of the conversation one of the number said: "Boys, let us +get up a club or society of some description." The suggestion was +discussed with enthusiasm. Before they separated it was agreed to +invite others, whose names were mentioned, to join them, and to meet +again the next evening at the same place. At the appointed time eight +or[20] ten young men had assembled. + +A temporary organization was effected by the election of a chairman +and a secretary. There was entire unanimity among the members in +regard to the end in view, which was diversion and amusement. The +evening was spent in discussing the best means of attaining the object +for which they were seeking. Two committees were appointed, one to +select a name,[21] the other[22] to prepare a set of rules for the +government of the society, and a ritual for the initiation of new +members. The club adjourned to meet the following week to hear and act +upon the reports of these committees. Before the arrival of the +appointed time for the next meeting, one of the wealthiest and most +prominent citizens of Pulaski went on a business trip to Columbus, +Miss., taking his family with him. Before leaving he invited one of +the leading spirits of the new society to take charge of and sleep at +his house during his absence. This young man invited his comrades to +join him there. And so the place of meeting was changed from the law +office to this residence. The owner of it outlived the Ku Klux Klan +and died ignorant of the fact that his house was the place where its +organization was fully effected. + +This residence afterwards came into the possession of Judge H.M. +Spofford, of Spofford-Kellogg fame.[23] It was his home at the time +of his death, and is still owned by his widow. + +The committee appointed to select a name reported that they had found +the task difficult, and had not made a selection. They explained that +they had been trying to discover or invent a name which would be, to +some extent, suggestive of the character and objects of the society. +They mentioned several which they had been considering. In this number +was the name "Kukloi" from the Greek word _Kuklos_ (Kuklos), meaning a +band or circle. At mention of this some one cried out: "Call it Ku +Klux." "Klan" at once suggested itself, and was added to complete the +alliteration. So instead of adopting a name, as was the first +intention, which had a definite meaning, they chose one which to the +proposer of it, and to every one else, was absolutely meaningless. + +This trivial and apparently accidental incident had a most important +bearing on the future of the organization so singularly named. +Looking back over the history of the Klan, and at the causes under +which it developed, it is difficult to resist the conclusion that the +order would never have grown to the proportions which it afterwards +assumed, or wielded the power it did, had it not borne this name or +some other equally as meaningless and mysterious--mysterious because +meaningless. + +Had they called themselves the "Jolly Jokers" or the "Adelphi," or by +some similar appellation, the organization would doubtless have had no +more than the mere local and ephemeral existence which those who +organized it contemplated for it. Hundreds of societies have +originated just as this one did, and after a brief existence have +passed away. But in this case there was a weird potency in the very +name Ku Klux Klan. Let the reader pronounce it aloud. The sound of it +is suggestive of bones rattling together! The potency of the name was +not wholly in the impression made by it on the general public. It is a +singular fact that the members of the Klan were themselves the first +to feel its weird influence; they had adopted a mysterious name. +Thereupon the original plan was modified so as to make everything +connected with the order harmonize with the name. + +Amusement was still the end in view. But now the method by which they +propose to win it were those of secrecy and mystery. So when the +report of the committee on rules and ritual came up for consideration, +the recommendations were modified to adapt them to the new idea. The +report as finally adopted, provided for the following officers: a +Grand Cyclops, or President; a Grand Magi, or Vice-President; a Grand +Turk, or Marshal; a Grand Exchequer, or Treasurer; and two Lictors. +These were the outer and inner guards of the "Den," as the place of +meeting was designated. + +The one obligation exacted from members was to maintain profound and +absolute secrecy with reference to the order and everything pertaining +to it. This obligation prohibited those who assumed it from disclosing +that they were Ku Klux, or the name of any other member, and from +soliciting any one to become a member. The last requirement was a +singular one. It was enacted for two reasons. First, it was in keeping +with the determination to appear as mysterious as possible, and thus +play upon the curiosity of the public. Secondly, and mainly, it was +designed to prevent unpleasantness following initiations. They wished +to be able to say to novices: "You are here on your own solicitation, +and not by invitation from us." They desired accessions; to have them +was indispensable; but they knew human nature well enough to know that +if they made the impression that they wished to be exclusive and +select, then applications for membership would be numerous. The result +showed that they reasoned correctly. + +Each member was required to provide himself with the following outfit: +A white mask for the face, with orifices for the eyes and nose; a +tall, fantastic cardboard hat, so constructed as to increase the +wearer's apparent height; a gown, or robe, of sufficient length to +cover the entire person. No particular color or material were +prescribed. These were left to the individual's taste and fancy, and +each selected what in his judgment would be the most hideous and +fantastic, with the aim of inspiring the greatest amount of curiosity +in the novice. These robes, of different colors, often of the most +flashy patterns of "Dolly Varden" calicos, added vastly to the +grotesque appearance of the assembled Klan.[24] + + [Illustration: COSTUMES WORN IN MISSISSIPPI AND WEST ALABAMA + FACING PAGE 58] + +Each member carried also a small whistle, with which, by means of a +code of signals agreed upon, they held communications with one +another. The only utility of this device was to awaken inquiry.[25] + +And the object of all this was amusement--"only this, and nothing +more." A few young men debarred for the time by circumstances from +entering any active business or professional pursuits, and deprived of +the ordinary diversions of social life, were seeking in this way to +amuse and employ themselves. The organization of this Klan was to them +both diversion and occupation. But where, it may be asked, did the fun +come in? Partly in exciting the curiosity of the public, and then in +baffling it; but mainly in the initiation of new members. + +The ritual used in the initiation was elaborate, but not worthy of +reproduction. It is enough to say that it was modeled on and embraced +the leading features of the ritual of an order which has long been +popular in colleges and universities under various names.[26] In one +place it is the "Sons of Confucius;" in another, the "Guiasticutus;" +but everywhere, the "Ancient and the Honorable," and the +"Mirth-Provoking." + +The initiations were at first conducted in the law office, where the +suggestion for the formation of the Klan had been made. But it was not +a suitable place. The room was small. It was near the business portion +of the town, and while in session there, they never felt entirely free +from apprehensions of interruption.[27] + +They soon found a place in every respect better adapted to their +purposes. On the brow of a ridge, that runs along the western +outskirts of the town, there used to stand a handsome and commodious +residence. The front, or main building, was of brick, the "L" of wood. +In December, 1865, the brick portion of this house was demolished by a +cyclone. The "L" remained standing, but tenantless. It consisted of +three rooms. A stairway led from one of them to a large cellar +beneath. No other house stood near. Around these ruins were the +storm-torn, limbless trunks of trees, which had once formed a +magnificent grove. Now, they stood up, grim and gaunt, like spectre +sentinels. A dreary, desolate, uncanny place it was. But it was, in +every way, most suitable for a "den," and the Klan appropriated +it.[28] + +When a meeting was held, one Lictor was stationed near the house, the +other fifty yards from it on the road leading into town. These were +dressed in the fantastic regalia of the order and bore tremendous +spears as the badge of their office. + +As before stated, and for the reasons assigned, the Ku Klux did not +solicit any one to join them; yet, they had applications for +membership. While members were not allowed to disclose the fact of +their membership, they were permitted to talk with others in regard to +anything that was a matter of common report with reference to the +order. If they chose, members were allowed to say to outsiders: "I am +going to join the Ku Klux." If the persons addressed expressed a +desire to do likewise, the Ku Klux would say, if the party was a +desirable one: "Well, I think I know how to get in. Meet me at such a +place, on such a night, at such an hour, and we will join together." +Other similar subterfuges were resorted to, to secure members without +direct solicitation. Usually, curiosity would predominate over every +other consideration, and the candidate would be found waiting at the +appointed place. + +As the Ku Klux and the candidate approached the sentinel Lictor, they +were hailed and halted and questioned. Having received the assurance +that they desired to become Ku Klux, the Lictor blew the signal for +his companion to come and take charge of the novices. The candidate, +under the impression that his companion was similarly treated, was +blindfolded and led to the "den." The preliminaries of the initiation +consisted in leading the candidate around the rooms and down into the +cellar, now and then placing before him obstructions which added to +his discomfort, if not to his mystification. After some rough sport of +this description, he was led before the Grand Cyclops who solemnly +addressed to him numerous questions. Some of these questions were +grave, and occasionally a faulty answer resulted in the candidate's +rejection. For the most part they were absurd to the last degree. If +the answers were satisfactory, the obligation to secrecy, already +administered, was exacted a second time. Then the Grand Cyclops +commanded: + +"Place him before the royal altar and adorn his head with the regal +crown." + +The "royal altar" was a large looking glass. The "regal crown" was a +huge hat bedecked with two enormous donkey ears. In this headgear the +candidate was placed before the mirror and directed to repeat the +couplet: + + "O wad some power the giftie gie us + To see oursel's as ithers see us." + +As the last word was falling from his lips, the Grand Turk removed the +bandage from his eyes, and before the candidate was his own ludicrous +image in the mirror. To increase the discomfiture and chagrin which +any man in such a situation would naturally feel, the removal of the +bandage was the signal to the Klan for indulgence in the most +uproarious and boisterous mirth. The Grand Cyclops relaxed the rigor +of his rule, and the decorum hitherto maintained disappeared, and the +"den" rang with shouts and peals of laughter; and worse than all, as +he looked about him, he saw that he was surrounded by men dressed in +hideous garb and masked, so that he could not recognize one of them. + +The character of these initiatory proceedings explains why, from the +very first, secrecy was so much insisted on. A single "tale out of +school" would have spoiled the fun. For the same reason the Klan, in +its early history, was careful in regard to the character of the men +admitted. Rash and imprudent men--such as could not be confidently +relied upon to respect their obligation to secrecy--were excluded. Nor +were those admitted who were addicted to the use of intoxicants. Later +on in the history they were not so careful, but in the earlier period +of its existence the Klan was composed of men of good habits.[29] + +In some instances, persons not regarded as eligible to membership, or +not desirable, were persistent even to annoyance in their efforts to +gain admission to the order. Such persistence was occasionally rebuked +in a manner more emphatic than tender. + +One young man had a consuming desire to be a Ku Klux. The sole +objection, to him was his youth. When he presented himself to the +Lictor, the latter received him kindly, and led him blindfold, "over +the hill and far away" to a secluded spot, and left him with the +admonition to "wait there till called for." After hours of weary +waiting, the young man removed the bandage from his eyes and sought +the shelter of the paternal roof. + +Another of riper years, but for some reason not acceptable to the +order, made repeated efforts to join the Klan. For his special benefit +they arranged to have an initiation not provided for in the ritual. A +meeting was appointed to be held on the top of a hill that rises by a +gentle slope to a considerable height, on the northern limits of +Pulaski. The candidate, in the usual way--blindfold excepted--was led +into the presence of the Grand Cyclops. This dignitary was standing on +a stump. The tall hat, the flowing robe, and the elevated position +made him appear not less than ten feet tall. He addressed to the +candidate a few unimportant and absurd questions, and then, turning to +the Lictors, said: "Blindfold the candidate and proceed." + +The "procedure" in this case was to place the would-be Ku Klux in a +barrel, provided for the purpose, and to send him whirling down the +hill! To his credit, be it said, he never revealed any of the secrets +of the Ku Klux Klan.[30] + +These details have an important bearing on the subsequent history of +the Ku Klux. They show that the originators of the Klan were not +meditating treason or lawlessness in any form. Yet the Klan's later +history grew naturally out of the measures and methods which +characterized this period of it. Its projectors did not expect it to +spread. They thought it would "have its little day and die." It lived; +it grew to vast proportions. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[14] The writer, D.L. Wilson, was not a member. The secrets of the +Klan were not printed or written, but were communicated orally. In +Appendix IV, p. 197, will be found versions of the oath taken by the +members.--_Editor._ + +[15] In 1871-1872 a Committee of Congress made an investigation of +affairs in the South. Its report, with the testimony collected, was +published in 13 volumes, and is usually called the Ku Klux Report. See +Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, p. 701; Garner, +Reconstruction in Mississippi, p. 344.--_Editor._ + +[16] See above, p. 23. + +[17] General Forrest said that the order was disbanded in the fall of +1868. See Ku Klux Report, Vol. XIII., pp. 3-35.--_Editor._ + +[18] Wilson's account in the _Century Magazine_, July, 1884, says that +the order was founded in June, 1866.--_Editor._ + +[19] This was the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, father of one +of the originators.--_Editor._ + +[20] Survivors say that six men organized the club and that others +joined soon after.--_Editor._ + +[21] This committee was composed of Calvin Jones and R.R. +Reed.--_Editor._ + +[22] In this committee were J.R. Crowe, J.C. Lester and John +Kennedy.--_Editor._ + +[23] Spofford was a brother of A.R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress. +He was a native of New Hampshire, who removed to Louisiana and held +high judicial office there before the Civil War. After 1870 he spent +much of his time in Pulaski. In 1877 he was elected to the United +States Senate from Louisiana, but the Senate seated W.P. Kellogg, a +carpetbagger from Illinois, who had been voted for by the "Packard +Legislature."--_Editor._ + +[24] "Their robes used in these nocturnal campaigns consisted simply +of sheets wrapped around their bodies and belted around the waist. The +lower portion reached to the heels, whilst the upper had eye-holes +through which to see and mouth-holes through which to breathe. Of +course, every man so caparisoned had one or more pistols in holsters +buckled to his waist."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[25] It is said that the members of the Pulaski Den wore small metal +badges.--_Editor._ + +[26] In the Southern colleges of today the peculiar Greek letter +fraternity known as Alpha Sigma Sigma, and the institution of "snipe +hunting" most nearly resemble the Klan in its early stages.--_Editor._ + +[27] After leaving the law office of Judge Jones the Klan met for a +while in a room of the _Pulaski Citizen_ building. The editor of the +_Citizen_ was a member of the Klan and his paper published the orders, +proclamations and warnings sent out by the officials.--_Miss Cora R. +Jones._ + +[28] This building was the property of Dr. Benjamin Carter, +grandfather of the present postmaster of Birmingham, Alabama.--_Miss +Cora R. Jones._ + +[29] "My information was that they admitted no man who was not a +gentleman and a man who could be relied upon to act discreetly; not +men who were in the habit of drinking, boisterous men, or men liable +to commit error or wrong."--General _Forrest in Ku Klux Report, Vol. +XIII, p. 22._ + +[30] Later, when Brownlow's Administration was endeavoring to crush +out the Ku Klux Klan, one of his detectives sought to gain admission +to the order. His purposes became known and the Nashville Den, which +he was trying to join, put him into a barrel and rolled it into the +Cumberland River, drowning the detective.--_Washington Post_, _August +13, 1905._ + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE SPREAD OF THE KLAN. + + +The devices for attracting attention were eminently successful. During +the months of July and August, 1866, the Klan was much talked about by +the citizens of Pulaski. Its mysteriousness was the sensation of the +hour. Every issue of the local paper contained some notice of the +strange order. These notices were copied into other papers, and in +this manner the way was prepared for the rapid growth and spread of +the Klan which soon followed. + +Six weeks or less from the date of the organization the sensation in +Pulaski had reached its height and was waning. Curiosity in regard to +it had abated to such a degree that the Klan would have certainly +fallen to pieces but for the following circumstances: + +By the time the eligible material in the town had been used up, the +young men from the country, whose curiosity had been inflamed by the +newspaper notices, began to come in and apply for admission to the +Klan. Some of these applications were accepted. In a little while the +members from the country asked permission to establish "dens" at +various points in the county. No provision had been made for such a +contingency, but the permission was granted; had it not been, the +result in all probability would have been the same. + +As the ritual followed by the Pulaski Klan could not be conveniently +carried out in the country, various modifications and changes were +permitted. But the strictest injunctions were laid on these new +lodges, or dens, in regard to secrecy, mystery and the character of +the men admitted. The growth in the rural districts was more rapid +than it had been in the town. Applications for permission to establish +"dens" multiplied rapidly. + +The news that the Ku Klux were spreading to the country excited the +attention of the country people more generally than the existence of +the Klan in town had done. The same cause rekindled the waning +interest of the town people. Every issue of the local papers in the +"infected regions" bristled with highly mysterious and exciting +accounts of the doings of the "fantastic gentry." + +During the fall and winter of 1866 the growth of the Klan was rapid. +It spread over a wide extent of territory. Sometimes, by a sudden +leap, it appeared in localities far distant from any existing "dens." + +A stranger from West Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, +visiting in a neighborhood where the order prevailed, would be +initiated, and on his departure carry with him permission to establish +a "den" at home. In fact, it was often done without such permission. +The connecting link between these "dens" was very fragile. By a sort +of tacit agreement the Pulaski Klan was regarded as the source of +power and authority. The Grand Cyclops of this "den" was virtually the +ruler of the order, but as he had no method of communicating with +subjects or subordinates, and no way in which to enforce his mandates, +his authority was more fancy than fact. But so far there had appeared +no need for compact organization, rigid rules and close supervision. +The leading spirits of the Ku Klux Klan were contemplating nothing +more serious than amusement. They enjoyed the baffled curiosity and +wild speculations of a mystified public even more than the rude sport +afforded by the ludicrous initiations. + +Such is the account of the Ku Klux Klan in the first period of its +history from June, 1866 to April, 1867;[31] yet all this time it was +gradually, in a very natural way, taking on new features not at first +remotely contemplated by the originators of the order; features which +finally transformed the Ku Klux Klan into a band of "Regulators." + +The transformation was effected by the combined operation of several +causes: (1) The impressions made by the order upon the minds of those +who united with it; (2) The impressions upon the public by its weird +and mysterious methods; (3) The anomalous and peculiar condition of +affairs in the South at this time. + +The mystery and secrecy with which the Klan veiled itself made a +singular impression on the minds of many who united with it. + +The prevalent idea was that the Klan contemplated some great and +important mission. This idea aided in its rapid growth. And on the +other hand the rapid extensions of the Klan confirmed this idea of its +purposes. When admitted to membership this conclusion, in the case of +many, was deepened rather than removed by what they saw and heard. +There was not a word in the ritual or in the obligation or in any part +of the ceremony to favor such a conclusion; but the impression still +remained that this mysteriousness and secrecy, the high-sounding +titles of the officers, the grotesque dress of the members, and the +formidable obligation, all meant more than real sport. This impression +was ineradicable, and the attitude of many of the members continued to +be that of expecting great developments. Each had his own speculations +as to what was to be the character of the serious work which the Klan +had to do. But they were satisfied that there was such work. It was an +unhealthy and dangerous state of mind for men to be in; bad results in +some cases very naturally followed from it. + +The impression made by the Klan on the public was the second cause +which contributed to its transformation into a band of Regulators. +When the meetings first began to be held in the dilapidated house on +the hill, passers-by were frequent. Most of them passed the grim and +ghostly sentinel on the roadside in silence, but always with a +quickened step. Occasionally one would stop and ask: "Who are you?" In +awfully sepulchral tones the invariable answer was: "A spirit from the +other world. I was killed at Chickamauga." + +Such an answer, especially when given to a superstitious negro, was +extremely terrifying, and if, in addition, he heard the uproarous +noises issuing from the "den" at the moment of a candidate's +investiture with the "regal crown," he had the foundation for a most +awe-inspiring story. There came from the country similar stories. The +belated laborer, passing after nightfall, some lonely and secluded +spot, heard horrible noises and saw fearful sights. These stories were +repeated with such embellishments as the imagination of the narrator +suggested, till the feeling of the negroes and of many of the white +people, at mention of the Ku Klux, was one of awe and terror. + +In a short time the Lictor of the Pulaski "den" reported that travel +along the road on which he had his post had almost entirely stopped. +In the country it was noticed that the nocturnal perambulation of the +colored population diminished, or entirely ceased, wherever the Ku +Klux appeared. In many ways there was a noticeable improvement in the +habits of a large class who had hitherto been causing great annoyance. +In this way the Klan gradually realized that the most powerful devices +ever constructed for controlling the ignorant and superstitious were +in their hands. Even the most highly cultured were not able wholly to +resist the weird and peculiar feeling which pervaded every community +where the Ku Klux appeared. Each week some new incident occurred to +illustrate the amazing power of the unknown over the minds of men of +all classes. + +Circumstances made it evident that the measures and methods employed +for sport might be effectually used to subserve the public welfare--to +suppress lawlessness and protect property. When propositions to this +effect began to be urged, there were many who hesitated, fearing +danger. The majority regarded such fears as groundless. They pointed +to the good results which had already been produced. The argument was +forcible--almost unanswerable. And the question was decided without +formal action. The very force of circumstances had carried the Klan +away from its original purpose. So that in the beginning of the summer +of 1867 it was virtually, though not yet professedly, a band of +regulators, honestly, but in an injudicious and dangerous way, trying +to protect property and preserve peace and order.[32] + +After all, the most powerful agency in effecting this transformation, +the agency which supplied the conditions under which the two causes +just mentioned became operative, was the peculiar state of affairs +existing at the South at that time. + +As every one knows, the condition of things was wholly anomalous, but +no one can fully appreciate the circumstances by which the people of +the South were surrounded except by personal observation and +experience; and no one who is not fully acquainted with all the facts +in the case is competent to pronounce a just judgment on their +behavior. On this account, not only the Ku Klux, but the mass of the +Southern people, have been tried, convicted and condemned at the bar +of public opinion, and have been denied the equity of having the +sentence modified by mitigating circumstances, which in justice, they +have a right to plead. + +At that time the throes of the great revolution were settling down to +quiet. The almost universal disposition of the better class of the +people was to accept the arbitrament which the sword had accorded +them. On this point there was practical unanimity. Those who had +opportunity and facilities to do so, engaged at once in agricultural, +professional or business pursuits. There was but little disposition to +take part in politics. + +But there were two causes of vexation and exasperation which the +people were in no good mood to bear. One of these causes related to +that class of men who, like scum, had been thrown to the surface in +the great upheaval.[33] + +It was not simply that they were Union men from conviction. That would +have been readily forgiven then, as can be shown by pointing to +hundreds of cases. But the majority of the class referred to had +played traitor to both sides, and were Union men now only because that +was the successful side. And worse than all, they were now engaged in +keeping alive discord and strife between the sections, as the only +means of preventing themselves from sinking back into the obscurity +from which they had been upheaved. Their conduct was malicious in the +extreme and exceedingly exasperating. These men were a "thorn in the +flesh" of the body, politic and social; and the effort to expel it set +up an inflammation which for a time awakened the gravest apprehensions +as to the result. + +The second disturbing element was the negroes. Their transition from +slavery to citizenship was sudden. They were not only not fitted for +the cares of self-control, and maintenance so suddenly thrust upon +them, but many of them entered their new role in life under the +delusion that freedom meant license. They regarded themselves as +freedmen, not only from bondage to former masters, but from the common +and ordinary obligations of citizenship. Many of them looked upon +obedience to the laws of the state--which had been framed by their +former owners--as in some measure a compromise of the rights with +which they had been invested. The administration of civil law was only +partially re-established. On that account, and for other reasons, +there was an amount of disorder and violence prevailing over the +country which has never been equaled at any period of its history. If +the officers of the law had had the disposition and ability to arrest +all law-breakers, a jail and court-house in every civil district would +have been required. + +The depredations on property by theft and by wanton destruction for +the gratification of petty revenge, were to the last degree annoying. +A large part of these depredations was the work of bad white men, who +expected that their lawless deeds would be credited to the negroes. +But perhaps the most potent of all causes which brought about this +transformation was the existence in the South of a spurious and +perverted form of the "Union League."[34] + +It would be as unfair to this organization as it existed at the North, +to charge it with the outrages committed under cover of its name, as +it is to hold the Ku Klux Klan responsible for all the lawlessness and +violence with which it is credited. + +But it is a part of the history of those times that there was a +widespread and desperately active organization called the "Union +League." It was composed of the disorderly element of the negro +population and was led and controlled by white men of the basest and +meanest type just now referred to. They met frequently, went armed to +the teeth, and literally "breathed out threatening and slaughter." +They not only uttered, but in many instances executed the most +violent threats against the persons, families and property of men, +whose sole crime was that they had been in the Confederate army. It +cannot be truthfully denied that the Ku Klux committed excesses and +were charged with wrongdoing. But they were never guilty of the +disorderly and unprovoked deeds of deviltry which mark the history of +the Southern "Union League." It was partly, I may say chiefly, to +resist this aggressive and belligerent organization that the Ku Klux +transformed themselves into a protective organization.[35] + +Whatever may be the judgment of history, those who know the facts will +ever remain firm in the conviction that the Ku Klux Klan was of +immense service at this period of Southern history. Without it, in +many sections of the South, life to decent people would not have been +tolerable. It served a good purpose. Wherever the Ku Klux appeared +the effect was salutary. For a while the robberies ceased. The +lawless class assumed the habits of good behavior. + +The "Union League" relaxed its desperate severity and became more +moderate. Under their fear of the dreaded Ku Klux, the negroes made +more progress, in a few months, in the needed lessons of self-control, +industry, and respect for the rights of property and general good +behavior, than they would have done in as many years, but for this or +some equally powerful impulse. + +It was a rough and a dangerous way to teach such lessons, but under +all the circumstances it seemed the only possible way. + +Of course, these men were trying a dangerous experiment. Many of them +knew it at the time, and did not expect it on the whole to turn out +more successfully than others of a similar character. But there seemed +to be no other alternative at the time. Events soon occurred which +showed that the fears of those who apprehended danger were not +groundless, and it became evident, unless the Klan should be brought +under better control than its leaders at this time exercised over it, +that while it suppressed some evils, it would give rise to others +almost, if not fully, as great.[36] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[31] It will be remembered that in March, 1867, the Reconstruction +Acts were passed and that in April, 1867, the Reconstruction was +beginning.--_Editor._ + +[32] "It originated with returned soldiers for the purpose of +punishing those negroes who had become notoriously and offensively +insolent to white people, and, in some cases, to chastise those white +skinned men who, at that particular time, showed a disposition to +affiliate socially with negroes. The impression sought to be made upon +these latter was that these white-robed night prowlers were the ghosts +of the Confederate dead, who had arisen from their graves in order to +wreak vengeance on an undesirable class of both white and black +men."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[33] The class called "tories" during the Civil War. They should not +be confused with the genuine Unionists.--_Editor._ + +[34] Sometimes called "Loyal League." See in regard to this secret +society--Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, Ch. 16, and +(West Virginia University) Documents relating to Reconstruction, No. +3.--_Editor._ + +[35] On this point the testimony of Generals Forrest, John B. Gordon +and E.W. Pettus, and J.A. Minnis, in the Ku Klux Report, is +instructive.--_Editor._ + +[36] Pease, "In the Wake of War," (fiction) gives a very good +description of affairs in Tennessee by one who was thoroughly familiar +with conditions there. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE TRANSFORMATION. + + +Until the beginning of the year 1867, the movements of the Klan had, +in the main, been characterized by prudence and discretion; but there +were some exceptions. In some cases there had been a liberal +construction of orders and of what was by common consent the law of +the Klan. In some, the limits, which tacitly it had been agreed upon +not to pass, had been overstepped. + +Attempts had been made to correct by positive means evils which +menaces had not been sufficient to remove. Rash, imprudent and bad men +had gotten into the order. The danger which the more prudent and +thoughtful had apprehended as possible was now a reality. Had it been +possible to do so, some of the leaders would have been in favor of +disbanding. That could not well be done, because at that time the +organization was so loose and imperfect. So to speak, the tie that +bound them together was too shadowy to be cut or untied. They had +evoked a spirit from "the vasty deep." It would not down at their +bidding. + +And, besides, the Klan was needed. The only course which seemed to +promise any satisfactory solution of the difficulty was this: To +reorganize the Klan on a plan corresponding to its size and present +purposes; to bind the isolated dens together; to secure unity of +purpose and concert of action; to hedge the members up by such +limitations and regulations as were best adapted to restrain them +within proper limits; to distribute the authority among prudent men at +local centres, and exact from them a close supervision of those under +their charge. + +In this way it was hoped the impending dangers would be effectually +guarded against. With these objects in view the Grand Cyclops of the +Pulaski Den sent out a request to all the dens of which he had +knowledge, to appoint delegates to meet in convention at Nashville, +Tenn., in the early summer of 1867.[37] At the time appointed this +convention was held. Delegates were present from Tennessee, Alabama, +and a number of other States. A plan of reorganization, previously +prepared, was submitted to this convention and adopted. After the +transaction of some further business, the convention adjourned, and +the delegates returned home without having attracted any attention. + +At this convention the territory covered by the Klan was designated as +the "Invisible Empire." This was subdivided into "realms" coterminous +with the boundaries of States. The "realms" were divided into +"dominions," corresponding to Congressional districts; the "dominions" +into "provinces" coterminous with counties; and the "provinces" into +"dens." + +To each of these departments officers were assigned. + +Except in the case of the supreme officer, the duties of each were +minutely specified. + +These officers were: + +The Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire and his ten Genii. The powers +of this officer were almost autocratic. + +The Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hydras. + +The Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies. + +The Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two Night Hawks. + +A Grand Monk. + +A Grand Scribe. + +A Grand Exchequer. + +A Grand Turk. + +A Grand Sentinel. + +The Genii, Hydras, Furies, Goblins and Night Hawks were staff +officers. The gradation and distribution of authority was perfect. But +for one source of weakness, the Klan, under this new organization, was +one of the most perfectly organized orders that ever existed in the +world. + +As we shall see presently, it was vulnerable and failed because of the +character of its methods. Secrecy was at first its strength. It +afterwards became its greatest weakness. As long as mystery was +conjoined with it, it was strength. When masks and disguises ceased to +be mysterious, secrecy was weakness. + +One of the most important things done by this Nashville convention was +to make a positive and emphatic declaration of the principles of the +order. It was in the following terms: + +"We recognize our relations to the United States Government; the +supremacy of the Constitution; the constitutional laws thereof; and +the union of States thereunder." + +If these men were plotting treason, it puzzles us to know why they +should make such a statement as that in setting forth the principles +of the order. The statement above quoted was not intended for general +circulation and popular effect. So far as is known, it is now given to +the public for the first time. We must regard it, therefore, as +accurately describing the political attitude which the Ku Klux +proposed and desired to maintain. Every man who became a member of the +Klan really took an oath to support the Constitution of the United +States. + +This Nashville convention also defined and set forth the peculiar +objects of the order, as follows:[38] + +(1.) "To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from the +indignities, wrongs and outrages of the lawless, the violent and the +brutal; to relieve the injured and the oppressed; to succor the +suffering, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate +soldiers. + +(2.) "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and +all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States and +people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. + +(3.) "To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land." + +This last clause was the result of the infamous and barbarous +legislation of that day. On the 3rd of June, 1865, the Thirty-fourth +General Assembly of Tennessee revived the sedition law and restricted +the right of suffrage.[39] A negro militia, ignorant and brutal, were +afterwards put over the State, and spread terror throughout its +borders. Men felt that they had no security for life, liberty, or +property. They were persecuted if they dared to complain. It was no +strange thing if they resorted to desperate measures for protection. +The emergency was desperate. Taking all the circumstances and +aggravations into consideration one cannot but be surprised that men +so persecuted and oppressed remained so moderate and forbearing. + +The legislation of the Nashville Convention of Ku Klux bears internal +evidence of what we know from other sources to be true. Whilst +devising measures for protection to life and property, and for the +resistance of lawlessness and oppression, whether from irresponsible +parties or from those who professed to be acting legally and under +cover of authority, they were anxious also to control the Klan itself +and to keep it within what they conceived to be safe limits. + +Up to this time the majority had shown a fair appreciation of the +responsibilities of their self-imposed task of preserving social +order. But under any circumstances the natural tendency of an +organization such as this is to violence and crime--much more under +such circumstances as those then prevailing. + +Excesses had been committed. Whether justly so or not, they were +credited to the Klan. And it was foreseen and feared that if such +things continued or increased the hostility of State and Federal +Governments would be kindled against the Klan and active measures +taken to suppress it. The hope was entertained that the legislations +taken by the convention and the reorganization would not only enable +the Klan to enact its _role_ as Regulators with greater success, but +would keep its members within the prescribed limits, and so guard +against the contingencies referred to. They desired on the one hand, +to restrain and control their own members; on the other to correct +evils and promote order in society; and to do the latter _solely_ by +utilizing for this purpose the means and methods originally employed +for amusement. In each direction the success was but partial, as will +be told presently. + +By the reorganization no material change was made in the methods of +the Klan's operations. Some of the old methods were slightly modified; +a few new features were added. The essential features of mystery, +secrecy and grotesqueness were retained, and steps were taken with a +view to deepening and intensifying the impressions already made upon +the public mind. They attempted to push to the extreme limits of +illustration the power of the mysterious over the minds of men. + +Henceforth they courted publicity as assiduously as they had formerly +seemed to shun it. They appeared at different points at the same time, +and always when and where they were the least expected. Devices were +multiplied to deceive people in regard to their numbers and everything +else, and to play upon the fears of the superstitious. + +As it was now the policy of the Klan to appear in public, an order was +issued by the Grand Dragon of the Realm of Tennessee to the Grand +Giants of the Provinces for a general parade in the capital town of +each Province on the night of the 4th of July, 1867. It will be +sufficient for this narrative to describe that parade as witnessed by +the citizens of Pulaski. Similar scenes were enacted at many other +places. + +On the morning of the 4th of July, 1867, the citizens of Pulaski found +the sidewalks thickly strewn with slips of paper bearing the printed +words:[40] "The Ku Klux will parade the streets to-night." This +announcement created great excitement. The people supposed that their +curiosity, so long baffled, would now be gratified. They were +confident that this parade would at least afford them the opportunity +to find out who were the Ku Klux. + +Soon after nightfall the streets were lined with an expectant and +excited throng of people. Many came from the surrounding country. The +members of the Klan in the county left their homes in the afternoon +and traveled alone or in squads of two or three, with their +paraphernalia carefully concealed. If questioned, they answered that +they were going to Pulaski to see the Ku Klux parade. After nightfall +they assembled at designated points near the four main roads leading +into town. Here they donned their robes and disguises and put covers +of gaudy materials on their horses. A skyrocket sent up from some +point in the town was the signal to mount and move. The different +companies met and passed each other on the public square in perfect +silence; the discipline appeared to be admirable.[41] Not a word was +spoken. Necessary orders were given by means of the whistles. In +single file, in death-like stillness, with funeral slowness, they +marched and counter-marched throughout the town. While the column was +headed North on one street it was going South on another. By crossing +over in opposite directions the lines were kept up in almost unbroken +continuity. The effect was to create the impression of vast numbers. +This marching and counter-marching was kept up for about two hours, +and the Klan departed as noiselessly as they came. The public were +more than ever mystified. Curiosity had not been satisfied, as it was +expected it would be. The efforts of the most curious and cunning to +find out who were Ku Klux failed. One gentleman from the country, a +great lover of horses, who claimed to know every horse in the county, +was confident that he would be able to identify the riders by the +horses. With this purpose in view, he remained in town to witness the +parade. But, as we have said, the horses were disguised as well as the +riders. Determined not to be baffled, during a halt of the column he +lifted the cover of a horse that was near him--the rider offering no +objection--and recognized his own steed and saddle upon which he had +ridden into town. The town people were on the alert also to see who of +the young men of the town would be with the Ku Klux. All of them, +almost without exception, were marked, mingling freely and +conspicuously with the spectators. Those of them who were members of +the Klan did not go into the parade. + +This demonstration had the effect for which it was designed. Perhaps +the greatest illusion produced by it was in regard to the numbers +participating in it. Reputable citizens--men of cool and accurate +judgment--were confident that the number was not less than three +thousand. Others, whose imaginations were more easily wrought upon, +were quite certain there were ten thousand. The truth is, that the +number of Ku Klux in the parade did not exceed four hundred. This +delusion in regard to numbers prevailed wherever the Ku Klux appeared. +It illustrates how little the testimony of even an eye-witness is +worth in regard to anything which makes a deep impression on him by +reason of its mysteriousness. + +The Klan had a large membership; it exerted a vast, terrifying and +wholesome power; but its influence was never at any time dependent on, +or proportioned to, its membership. It was in the mystery in which the +comparatively few enshrouded themselves. Gen. Forrest, before the +Investigating Committee, placed the number of Ku Klux in Tennessee at +40,000,[42] and in the entire South at 550,000. This was with him only +a guessing estimate.[43] Careful investigation leads to the +conclusion that he overshoots the mark in both cases. It is an error +to suppose that the entire male population of the South were Ku Klux, +or that even a majority of them were privy to its secrets and in +sympathy with its extremest measures. To many of them, perhaps to a +majority, the Ku Klux Klan was as vague, impersonal and mysterious as +to the people of the North, or of England. They did attribute to it +great good and to this day remember with gratitude the protection it +afforded them in the most trying and perilous period of their history, +when there was no other earthly source to which to appeal.[44] + + [Illustration: COSTUMES WORN IN TENNESSEE AND NORTH ALABAMA + FACING PAGE 97] + +One or two illustrations may here be given of the methods resorted to +to play upon the superstitious fears of the negroes and others.[45] At +the parade in Pulaski, while the procession was passing a corner on +which a negro man was standing, a tall horseman in hideous garb turned +aside from the line, dismounted, and stretched out his bridle rein +toward the negro, as if he desired him to hold his horse. Not daring +to refuse, the frightened African extended his hand to grasp the rein. +As he did so, the Ku Klux took his own head from his shoulders and +offered to place that also in the outstretched hand. The negro stood +not upon the order of his going, but departed with a yell of terror. +To this day he will tell you: "He done it, suah, boss. I seed him do +it." The gown was fastened by a draw-string over the top of the +wearer's head. Over this was worn an artificial skull made of a large +gourd or of pasteboard. This with the hat could be readily removed, +and the man would then appear to be headless. Such tricks gave rise +to the belief--still prevalent among the negroes--that the Ku Klux +could take themselves all to pieces whenever they wanted to. + +Some of the Ku Klux carried skeleton hands. These were made of bone or +wood with a handle long enough to be held in the hand, which was +concealed by the gown sleeve. The possessor of one of these was +invariably of a friendly turn and offered to shake hands with all he +met, with what effect may be readily imagined. + +A trick of frequent perpetration in the country was for a horseman, +spectral and ghostly looking, to stop before the cabin of some negro +needing a wholesome impression and call for a bucket of water. If a +dipper or gourd was brought it was declined, and the bucket full of +water demanded. As if consumed by raging thirst the horseman grasped +it and pressed it to his lips. He held it there till every drop of the +water was poured into a gum or oiled sack concealed beneath the Ku +Klux robe. Then the empty bucket was returned to the amazed negro with +the remark: "That's good. It is the first drink of water I have had +since I was killed at Shiloh." Then a few words of counsel as to +future behavior made an impression not easily forgotten or likely to +be disregarded. + +Under ordinary circumstances such devices are unjustifiable. But in +the peculiar state of things then existing they served a good purpose. +It was not only better to deter the negroes from theft and other +lawlessness in this way than to put them in the penitentiary; but it +was the only way, at this time, by which they could be controlled. The +jails would not contain them. The courts could not or would not try +them. The policy of the Klan all the while was to deter men from +wrongdoing. It was only in rare, exceptional cases, and these the most +aggravated, that it undertook to punish.[46] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[37] "In the spring of 1867," says Wilson in the _Century Magazine_, +July, 1884. May was the month of meeting. This was just after the +Reconstruction Acts had been passed.--_Editor._ + +[38] I am convinced that the authors are mistaken in saying that the +first convention adopted the Prescript containing these declarations. +The Prescript adopted was the one reproduced in Appendix I. The other +one, reproduced in Appendix II, was adopted, it is believed, in +1868.--_Editor._ + +[39] Ex-Confederates were practically all excluded from the +suffrage.--_Editor._ + +[40] Notices were posted in every public place, and even pasted on the +backs of hogs and cows running loose in the streets.--_Miss Cora R. +Jones._ + +[41] Most members of the Klan had been Confederate soldiers and were +familiar with military drill and discipline.--_Editor._ + +[42] A later estimate places the membership of Ku Klux Klan at 72,000 +in Tennessee alone.--_Washington Post, August 13, 1905._ + +[43] Forrest denied that he had made such an estimate. There were many +other orders similar to Ku Klux Klan and the total membership was +probably about half a million.--_Editor._ + +[44] It made the women feel safer. "And then came the reign of martial +law, and the Freedmen's Bureau. Those dark days of the Reconstruction +period rapidly followed the horrors of civil war, and the reign of the +carpetbagger began, goading the people to desperation. For their +protection the younger and more reckless men of the community now +formed a secret society, which masqueraded at night in grotesque and +grewsome character called the Ku Klux Klan. Always silent and +mysterious, mounted on horses, they swept noiselessly by in the +darkness with gleaming death's heads, skeletons and chains. It struck +terror into the heart of the evil-doer, while the peaceful citizen +knew a faithful patrol had guarded his premises while he +slept."--_Mrs. Stubbs, in "Saunders' Early Settlers of Alabama_," p. +31. + +[45] A practice not mentioned here was that of sending out the +peculiar warnings and orders, specimens of which are printed in +Appendix IV.--_Editor._ + +[46] "We had regular meetings about once a week, at which the conduct +of certain offensive characters would be discussed, and if the +majority voted to punish such it would be accordingly done on certain +prescribed nights. Sometimes it was deemed necessary only to post +notices of warning, which, in some cases, were sufficient to alarm the +victims sufficiently to induce them to reform in their +behavior."--_Ryland Randolph._ + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE DECLINE. + + +For a while after the reorganization of the Klan, those concerned for +its welfare and right conduct congratulated themselves that all was +now well. Closer organization and stricter official supervision had a +restraining influence upon the members. Many things seemed to indicate +that the future work of the Klan would be wholly good. + +These hopes were rudely shattered. Ere long official supervision grew +less rigid or was less regarded. The membership was steadily +increasing. Among the new material added were some bad men who could +not be--at least were not--controlled. + +In the winter and spring of 1867 and 1868 many things were done by +members, or professed members, of the Klan, which were the subject of +universal regret and condemnation. In many ways the grave censure of +those who had hitherto been friendly to it was evoked against the +Klan, and occasion, long sought for, was given its enemies to petition +the intervention of the government to suppress it. The end came +rapidly. We must now trace the causes which wrought the decay and +downfall of the "Invisible Empire." + +In regard to the doings of the Ku Klux two extreme positions have been +advocated. On the one hand, it is asserted that the Ku Klux committed +no outrages. On the other, that they were the authors of all the +depredations committed by masked and disguised men in the Southern +States from 1865 to 1869. The truth lies between these two extremes. +Great outrages were committed by bands of disguised men during those +years of lawlessness and oppression. And the fact must be admitted +that some of these outrages were committed, if not by the order and +approbation of the Klan, at least by men who were members of it.[47] + +The thoughtful reader will readily understand how this came about. + +There was a cause which naturally and almost necessarily produced the +result. Men of the character of the majority of those who composed +the Klan do not disregard their own professed principles and violate +self-assumed obligations without cause. We have seen that the Klan was +in the main composed of the very best men in the country--peaceable, +law-loving and law-abiding men--men of good habits and character--men +of property and intelligence. + +We have seen that the organization had no political significance; they +expressly and in solemn secret compact declared their allegiance to +the constitution and all constitutional laws, and pledged themselves +to aid in the administration of all such laws. To see such men defying +law and creating disorder, is a sight singular enough to awake inquiry +as to the causes which had been at work upon them. The transformation +of the Ku Klux Klan, from a band of regulators, honestly trying to +preserve peace and order, into the body of desperate men who, in 1869, +convulsed the country and set at defiance the mandates of both State +and Federal governments, is greater than the transformation which we +have already traced. + +In both cases there were causes at work adequate to the results +produced; causes from which, as remarked before, the results followed +naturally and necessarily. + +These have never been fully and fairly stated. They may be classed +under three general heads: (1). Unjust charges. (2). Misapprehension +of the nature and objects of the order on the part of those not +members of it. (3). Unwise and over-severe legislation. + +As has already been pointed out, the order contained within itself, by +reason of the methods practiced, sources of weakness. The devices and +disguises by which the Klan deceived outsiders enabled all who were so +disposed, even its own members, to practice deception on the Klan +itself. It placed in the hands of its own members the facility to do +deeds of violence for the gratification of personal feeling, and have +them credited to the Klan. To evilly-disposed men membership in the +Klan was an inducement to wrongdoing. It presented to all men a +dangerous temptation, which, in certain contingencies at any time +likely to arise, it required a considerable amount of moral robustness +to resist. Many did not withstand it. And deeds of violence were done +by men who were Ku Klux, but who, while acting under cover of their +connection with the Klan, were not under its orders. But because these +men were Ku Klux, the Klan had to bear the odium of wrongdoing.[48] + +In addition to this, the very class which the Klan proposed to hold in +check and awe into good behavior, soon became wholly unmanageable. +Those who had formerly committed depredations to be laid to the charge +of the negroes, after a brief interval of good behavior, assumed the +guise of Ku Klux and returned to their old ways, but with less +boldness and more caution, showing the salutary impression which the +Klan had made upon them. In some cases the negroes played Ku Klux. +Outrages were committed by masked men in regions far remote from any +Ku Klux organizations. The parties engaged took pains to assert that +they were Ku Klux, _which the members of the Klan never did_. This was +evidence that these parties were simply aping Ku Klux disguises. The +proof on this point is ample and clear. After the passage of the Anti +Ku Klux Statute by the State of Tennessee, several instances occurred +of parties being arrested in Ku Klux disguises; but in every instance +they proved to be either negroes or "radical" Brownlow Republicans. +This occurred so often that the statute was allowed by the party in +power to become a dead letter before its repeal. It bore too hard on +"loyal" men when enforced. + +The same thing occurred in Georgia and other States. (See testimony of +General Gordon and others before the Investigating Committee.) + +_No single instance occurred of the arrest of a masked man who proved +to be--when stripped of his disguises--a Ku Klux._ + +But it came to pass that all the disorder done in the country was +charged upon the Ku Klux, because done under disguises which they had +invented and used. The Klan had no way in which to disprove or refute +the charges. They felt that it was hard to be charged with violence of +which they were innocent. At the same time they felt that it was +natural, and, under the circumstances, not wholly unjust that this +should be the case. They had assumed the office of Regulators. It was +therefore due society, due themselves, and due the Government, which, +so far, had not molested them, that they should, at least, not afford +the lawless classes facilities for the commission of excesses greater +than any they had hitherto indulged in, and above all, that they +should restrain their own members from lawlessness. + +The Klan felt all this; and in its efforts to relieve itself of the +stigma thus incurred, it acted in some cases against the offending +parties with a severity well merited, no doubt, but unjustifiable.[49] +As is frequently the case they were carried beyond the limits of +prudence and right by a hot zeal for self-vindication against unjust +aspersions. + +They felt that the charge of wrong was unfairly brought against them. +To clear themselves of the charge they did worse wrong than that +alleged against them. + +The Klan from the first shrouded itself in deepest mystery; out of +this fact grew trouble not at first apprehended. They wished people +not to understand. They tried to keep them profoundly ignorant. The +result was that the Klan and its objects were wholly misunderstood and +misinterpreted. Many who joined the Klan and many who did not, were +certain it contemplated something far more important than its overt +acts gave evidence of. Some were sure it meant treason and revolution. +The negroes and the whites whose consciences made them the subjects of +guilty fears, were sure it boded no good to them. + +When the first impressions of awe and terror which the Klan had +inspired, to some extent, wore off, a feeling of intense hostility +towards the Ku Klux followed. This feeling was the more bitter because +founded, not on overt acts which the Ku Klux had done, but on vague +fears and surmises as to what they intended to do. Those who +entertained such fears were in some cases impelled by them to become +the aggressors. They attacked the Ku Klux before receiving from them +any provocation. The negroes formed organizations of a military +character and drilled by night, and even appeared in the day armed and +threatening. The avowed purpose of these organizations was "to make +war upon and exterminate the Ku Klux." On several occasions the Klan +was fired into. The effect of such attacks was to provoke counter +hostility from the Klan, and so there was irritation and +counter-irritation, till, in some places, the state of things was +little short of open warfare. In some respects it was worse; the +parties wholly misunderstood each other. Each party felt that its +cause was the just one. Each justified its deed by the provocation. + +The Ku Klux, intending wrong, as they believed, to no one, were +aggrieved that acts which they had not done should be charged to them; +and motives which they did not entertain imputed to them and outraged +that they should be molested and assaulted. The other party satisfied +that they were acting in self-defense felt fully justified in +assaulting them, and so each goaded the other on from one degree of +exasperation to another. + +The following extracts from a general order of the Grand Dragon of the +Realm of Tennessee will illustrate the operation of both these causes. +It was issued in the fall of the year 1868. It shows what were the +principles and objects which the Klan still professed, and it also +shows how it was being forced away from them: + + + HEADQUARTERS REALM NO. 1,} + DREADFUL ERA, BLACK EPOCH,} + + DREADFUL HOUR.} + + _General Order No. 1._ + + WHEREAS, Information of an authentic character has reached these + headquarters that the blacks in the counties of Marshall, Maury, + Giles and Lawrence are organized into military companies, with + the avowed purpose to make war upon and exterminate the Ku Klux + Klan, said blacks are hereby solemnly warned and ordered to + desist from further action in such organizations, if they exist. + + The G. D. [Grand Dragon] regrets the necessity of such an order. + But this Klan shall not be outraged and interfered with by + lawless negroes and meaner white men, who do not and never have + understood our purposes. + + In the first place this Klan is not an institution of violence, + lawlessness and cruelty; it is not lawless; it is not + aggressive; it is not military; it is not revolutionary. + + It is, essentially, originally and inherently a protective + organization. It proposes to execute law instead of resisting + it; and to protect all good men, whether white or black, from + the outrages and atrocities of bad men of both colors, who have + been for the past three years a terror to society, and an injury + to us all. + + The blacks seem to be impressed with the belief that this Klan + is especially their enemy. We are not the enemy of the blacks, + as long as they behave themselves, make no threats upon us, and + do not attack or interfere with us. + + But if they make war upon us they must abide the awful + retribution that will follow. + + This Klan, while in its peaceful movements, and disturbing no + one, has been fired into three times. This will not be endured + any longer; and if it occurs again, and the parties be + discovered, a remorseless vengeance will be wreaked upon them. + + We reiterate that we are for peace and law and order. No man, + white or black, shall be molested for his political sentiments. + This Klan is not a political party; it is not a military party; + it is a protective organization, and will never use violence + except in resisting violence. + + Outrages have been perpetrated by irresponsible parties in the + name of this Klan. Should such parties be apprehended, they will + be dealt with in a manner to insure us future exemption from + such imposition. These impostors have, in some instances, + whipped negroes. This is wrong! wrong! It is denounced by this + Klan as it must be by all good and humane men. + + The Klan now, as in the past, is prohibited from doing such + things. We are striving to protect all good, peaceful, + well-disposed and law-abiding men, whether white or black. + + The G. D. deems this order due to the public, due to the Klan, + and due to those who are misguided and misinformed. We, + therefore, request that all newspapers who are friendly to law, + and peace, and the public welfare, will publish the same. + + By order of the G. D., Realm No. 1. + By the Grand Scribe. + +This order doubtless expresses the principles which the Klan, as a +body, was honestly trying to maintain. It also illustrates how they +were driven to violate them by the very earnestness and vehemence +with which they attempted to maintain them. + +The question naturally arises, Why, under the embarrassing +circumstances, did not the Klan disband and close its operations?[50] +The answer is, that the members felt that there was now more reasons +than ever for the Klan's existence. They felt that they ought not to +abandon their important and needful work because they encountered +unforeseen difficulties in accomplishing it. It is an illustration of +the fatuity which sometimes marks the lives of men that they did not +perceive what seems perfectly clear and plain to others. Nothing is +more certain than that a part of the evils which the Klan was +combating at this period of its history grew out of their own methods, +and might be expected to continue as long as the Klan existed. Men are +not always wise. But even in cases where their conduct does not permit +of vindication and excuse, justice requires that a fair and truthful +statement be made of the temptations and embarrassments which +surrounded them. Placing all the circumstances before us fully, who of +us is prepared to say that we would have acted with more wisdom and +discretion than these men? + + [Illustration: CARPETBAGGERS LISTENING TO A KU KLUX REPORT + Coon and Sibly of the Alabama Legislature. Cartoon from Screw's + "Lost Legislature." + FACING PAGE 113] + +Matters grew worse and worse, till it was imperatively necessary that +there should be interference on the part of the Government. In +September, 1868, the Legislature of Tennessee, in obedience to the +call of Governor Brownlow, assembled in extra session and passed a +most stringent and bloody anti-Ku Klux statute.[51] This was the +culmination of a long series of the most infamous legislations which +ever disgraced a statute book. + +It began in 1865, as we have seen, in the passage of the alien and +sedition act, and grew worse and worse till the passage of the anti-Ku +Klux statute in 1868. Sixteen years have passed since then, and many +into whose hands this book will come have never seen the "Anti-Ku +Klux Law." We quote it entire, to show the character of the +legislation of those times as well as for the sake of its bearing on +the matter in hand: + + SEC. 1. _Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Tennessee_, + That if any person or persons shall unite with, associate with, + promote or encourage any secret organization of persons who + shall prowl through the country or towns of this State, by day + or by night, disguised or otherwise, for the purpose of + disturbing the peace, or alarming the peaceable citizens of any + portion of this State, on conviction by any tribunal of this + State, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars, + imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than five years, and + shall be rendered infamous. + + SEC. 2. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the courts in this State, before the impaneling of any grand + jury or petit jury in any cause whatever, to inquire of the + juror, on oath, whether he shall be associated in any way + obnoxious to the first section of this act; and if such juror + shall decline to give a voluntary answer, or shall answer + affirmatively, such persons shall be disqualified as a juror in + any case in any court in this State. + + SEC. 3. _Be it further enacted_, That, for the purpose of + facilitating the execution of the provisions of this act, it + shall be the duty of the Prosecuting Attorneys of this State or + grand jurors, or either of them, to summons or cause to be + summoned, any persons he shall have a well-grounded belief has + any knowledge of such organization as described by the first + section of this act, and if any person shall fail or refuse to + obey such summons, or shall appear and refuse to testify, such + persons so summoned shall suffer the penalty imposed by the + first section of this act; and if such witness shall avoid the + service of said subpoena or summons, the sheriff, or other + officer, shall return such fact on said process, when the court + shall order a copy of said process to be left at the last place + of residence of such persons sought to be summoned; and if such + person shall fail to appear according to the command of said + process, said court shall enter a judgment _nisi_ against such + person for the sum of five hundred dollars, for which _sci. fa._ + shall issue, as in other cases of forfeiture of subpoena. + + SEC. 4. _Be it further enacted_, That no prosecutor shall be + required on any indictment under the provisions of this act; and + all the courts of the State shall give a remedial construction + to the same; and that no presentment or indictment shall be + quashed, or declared insufficient for want of form. + + SEC. 5. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the courts of this State, at every term, for two years from + and after the passage of this act, to call before it all the + officers thereof, who shall be sworn, and have this act read or + explained to them; and the court shall ask said officers if they + shall have any knowledge of any person of the State, or out of + it, that shall be guilty of any of the offenses contained in + this act, and that, if at any time they shall come to such + knowledge, or shall have a well-grounded belief that any person + or persons shall be guilty of a violation of this act or any of + its provisions, that they will immediately, inform the + Prosecuting Attorney for the State thereof; and if such + Prosecuting Attorney, upon being so informed, shall fail, + refuse, or neglect to prosecute such person or persons so + informed on, he shall be subject to the same penalties imposed + by the first section of this act, and shall be stricken from the + roll of attorneys in said court. + + SEC. 6. _Be it further enacted_, That if any officer, or other + person, shall inform any other person that he or she is to be + summoned as a witness under any of the provisions of this act, + or any other statute or law of this State, with the intent and + for the purpose of defeating any of the provisions of this act, + or any criminal law of this State; or if any officer, clerk, + sheriff or constable shall refuse or fail to perform any of the + duties imposed by this act, upon conviction, shall suffer the + penalties by the first section of this act, and shall be + disqualified from holding office in this State for two years. + + SEC. 7. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall + voluntarily inform on any person guilty of any of the provisions + of this act, upon conviction such informant shall be entitled + and receive one-half of the fine imposed; and if any officer, + three-fourths. + + SEC. 8. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person, guilty of + any of the provisions or offenses enumerated in this act, that + shall appear before any jury or prosecuting officer of the + State, and shall inform him or them of any offense committed by + any person or persons against the criminal laws of this State, + such person or witness shall not be bound to answer to any + charge for the violation of any provisions of any law about + which such person or witness shall be examined; and the court + shall protect such witness from any prosecution whatever. + + SEC. 9. _Be it further enacted_, That where any process shall be + issued against the person of any citizen in any county of this + State, for any violation of the provisions of this act, and such + shall be returned not executed, for any cause whatever, by the + sheriff or other officer, to the court from which it was issued, + with an affidavit appended thereto, plainly setting forth the + reason for the non-execution of such process, then it shall be + the duty of the clerk, without delay, to issue an _alias capias_ + to the same county, if the home of the defendant shall be in + said county, either in part or in whole, when said sheriff or + other officer shall give notice to the inhabitants of said + county by posting such notice at the court-house of said county, + of the existence of said capias; and if the inhabitants of such + county shall permit such defendant to be or to live in said + county, in part or in whole, the inhabitants shall be subject to + an assessment of not less than five hundred dollars, nor more + than five thousand dollars, at the discretion of the court, + which said assessment shall be made in the following manner, + to-wit: When the sheriff or other officer shall return his + _alias capias_, showing that said defendant is an inhabitant of + said county, in part or in whole, and that the citizens thereof + have failed or refused to arrest said defendant, which every + citizen is hereby authorized to do or perform. Said court shall + order _sci. fa._ to issue to the proper officer to make known to + the chairman, judge, or other presiding officer of the County + Court, to appear and show cause why final judgment should not + have been entered up accordingly; which, if any County Court + fails or refuses to do and perform, any judge, in vacation, + shall grant a _mandamus_ to compel said County Court to assess + and collect said assessment, to be paid into the State treasury + for the benefit of the school fund; provided, said assessment + shall not be made of the sheriff or other officer, upon the + return of the original, or _alias_ writs, show cause why the + same cannot be executed, which may be done by his affidavit and + two respectable witnesses known to the court as such. + + SEC. 10. _Be it further enacted_, That all the inhabitants in + this State shall be authorized to arrest any person defendant, + under the provisions of this act, in any county in this State + without process. + + SEC. 11. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall write, publish, advise, entreat or persuade, privately or + publicly, any class of persons, or any individual, to resist any + of the laws of this State calculated to molest or disturb the + good people and peaceable citizens of the State, such persons + shall be subject to the penalties of the first section of this + act; and if an attorney at law, he shall be stricken from the + roll of attorneys and be prevented from practicing in any court + in this State. + + SEC. 12. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall make + threats against any elector or person authorized to exercise the + elective franchise, with the intention of intimidating or + preventing such person or persons from attending any election in + this State, they shall be subject to the penalties inflicted by + the first section of this act. + + SEC. 13. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall attempt to break up any election in this State, or advise + the same to be done, with a view of preventing the lawful or + qualified citizens of this State from voting, they shall be + subject to the penalties prescribed by the first section of this + act; and the attorney of the State in all convictions under the + provisions of this act, shall be entitled to a tax fee of one + hundred dollars, to be taxed in the bill of costs, and to be + paid by the defendant. And the attorney prosecuting for the + State shall keep all information given him a secret, unless it + shall be necessary, in the opinion of the court, that the same + should be made public. + + SEC. 14. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the judges in this State to read this act to the grand + juries, and give it especially in charge to said juries. + + SEC. 15. _Be it further enacted_, That the treasurer of this + State shall not be authorized to pay any judge in this State any + salary, or to any clerk, sheriff, or attorney, any fee or bill + of costs that may accrue to such parties under the provisions of + this act, until such judge or other officer shall have filed + with the comptroller or treasurer an affidavit plainly setting + forth that he has fully complied with the provisions of this + act. + + SEC. 16. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or citizen + of this State shall voluntarily feed, or lodge, or entertain, or + conceal in the woods, or elsewhere, any offender known to such + person to be charged with any criminal offense under this act, + such person shall suffer the penalty prescribed by the first + section of this act; provided, that this section shall not apply + to persons who, under the ancient law, might feed or conceal the + party charged. + + SEC. 17. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person, guilty of + any of the offenses enumerated in this act, shall have, own or + possess any real estate held by deed, or grant, or entry, or by + fee, or entail in law, or equity, the same shall be bound for + costs, fines or penalties imposed by any of the provisions of + this act; and a lien is hereby declared to attach to all estates + in law or equity, as above, dating from the day or night of the + commission of the offense, which fact may be found by the jury + trying the cause, or any other jury impaneled for that purpose; + and if in the opinion of the court the defendant has evaded the + law, the jury shall find such fact, and the estate of the + defendant shall be made liable for the costs of the State; and + there shall be no limitation to the recovery of the same. + + SEC. 18. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall be guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this + act, to the prejudice or injury of any individual, the jury + trying the defendant shall, or may find such fact with the + amount of injury sustained, which shall be paid to the injured + party or person entitled to the same, by the laws of descent of + this State, with all costs, and who shall have the same lien on + the property of the defendant that is possessed or given to the + State by this act. + + SEC. 19. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall + knowingly make or cause to be made, any uniform or regalia, in + part or in whole, by day or night, or shall be found in + possession of the same, he, she or they shall be fined at the + discretion of the court, and shall be rendered infamous. + + SEC. 20. _Be it further enacted_, That in addition to the oath + prescribed by the constitution and oath of office, every public + officer shall swear that he has never been a member of the + organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, or other disguised body + of men contrary to the laws of the State, and that he has + neither directly nor indirectly aided, encouraged, supported, or + in any manner countenanced said organization. + + SEC. 21. _Be it further enacted_, That the attorneys or + prosecuting officers for the State, shall be entitled to and + receive five per cent, on all forfeitures or assessments made by + this act, on compensations to be paid by the defendant. + + SEC. 22. _Be it further enacted_, That the standard of damages + for injuries to individuals shall be as follows: For disturbing + any of the officers of the State or other person, by entering + the house or houses, or place of residence of any such + individual in the night, in a hostile manner, or against his + will, the sum of ten thousand dollars; and it shall be lawful + for the person so assailed to kill the assailant. For killing + any individual in the night twenty thousand dollars; provided, + such person killed was peaceable at that time. That all other + injuries shall be assessed by the court and jury in proportion; + and the court trying said causes may grant as many new trials as + may, in his opinion, be necessary to attain the end of justice. + + SEC. 23. _Be it further enacted_, That all persons present, and + not giving immediate information on the offenders, shall be + regarded as guilty of a misdemeanor against the law, and shall + be punished accordingly. + + SEC. 24. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall not be lawful + for any persons to publish any proffered or pretended order of + said secret, unlawful clans; and any person convicted under any + of the provisions of this act, shall not claim, hold, or possess + any property, real or personal, exempt from execution, fine, + penalty or costs, under this act; provided, that nothing herein + contained shall be so construed as to prevent or exempt any + person heretofore guilty of any of the offenses herein contained + from prosecution under the law as it now stands. This act to + take effect from after its passage.[52] + +The same legislature passed a bill authorizing the Governor to +organize, equip and call into active service, at his discretion, a +volunteer force, to be known as the Tennessee State Guards; to be +composed of one or more regiments from each congressional district of +the State; provided always that said Tennessee State Guards shall be +composed of loyal men. + +And it was further provided by the "Militia Law," that upon the +representation of "ten Union men, or three Justices of the Peace in +any county in the State," that the presence of these troops were +needed, that the Governor might declare martial law in such counties, +and send thither troops in such numbers as, in his judgment, were +necessary for the preservation of peace and order. And it was provided +that the expense of these troops to the State should be collected from +the counties where they were quartered. + +The reader has now some insight into the character of the legislation +direct against the Ku Klux. He will not only note the general severity +and harshness of it, but the following features in particular: + +(1). The anti-Ku Klux statute was _ex post facto_, as expressly +declared by Section 24 of it. (2). It presented no way in which a man +could relieve himself from liability to it, except by turning +informer, and as an inducement to do this a large bribe was offered. +(3). It encouraged strife, by making every inhabitant of the State an +officer extraordinary with power "to arrest without process" when he +had ground to suspect. (4). It must be remembered that in those days +in Tennessee "to be loyal" had a very limited meaning. It meant simply +to be a subservient tool and supporter of Governor Brownlow. If a man +was not that, no matter what his past record, or what his political +opinion, he was not "loyal." (5). While the law professed to be aimed +at the suppression of all lawlessness, it was not so construed and +enforced by the party in power. The "Union" or "Loyal" League was +never molested, though this organization met frequently, and its +members appeared by day and by night, armed, threatening and molesting +the life and property of as peaceable and quiet citizens as any in the +State. No attempt was ever made to arrest men except in Ku Klux +disguises. But as before remarked there is no instance on record of a +Ku Klux being arrested, tried and convicted. Invariably the party +arrested while depredating as Ku Klux turned out to be, when stripped +of their disguises, "loyal" men. + +In some sections of the State a perfect reign of terror followed this +anti-Ku Klux statute. The members of the Klan were now in the attitude +of men fighting for life and liberty. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of +them were not lawbreakers, and did not desire to be. There had been no +law against association with the Klan; they had conceived and done no +wrong during their connection with it. They had had no participation +in or knowledge of the excesses in which some of the Klan had indulged +or were charged with having indulged in. But now their previous +connection with the Klan was made a penal offense; and they had no +hope except on terms which to men of honor and right principle were +more odious than death. + +These men were made infamous, made liable to fine and imprisonment, +exposed to arrest without process by any malicious negro or mean white +man; and even their wives and children were outlawed and exposed to +the same indignities; and it is no strange thing if they were driven +to the very verge of desperation. It is not denied that they did many +things for which the world has been exceedingly slow to accept apology +or excuse. But history is challenged to furnish an instance of a +people bearing gross wrong and brutal outrage perpetrated in the name +of law and loyalty with patience, forbearance or forgiveness, +comparable to that exhibited by the people of the Southern States, +and especially of Tennessee, during what is called the "Reconstruction +period," and since. + +There may be in their conduct some things to regret, and some to +condemn; but he who gets a full understanding of their surroundings, +social, civil and political, if he is not incapable of noble +sentiment, will also find many things to awaken his sympathy and call +forth his admiration. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[47] See Major Crowe's statement on p. 22. + +[48] "At this late day (1901) I am gratified to be able to say that my +company did much good service to Tuscaloosa county. Had these +organizations confined their operations to their legitimate object, +viz: Punishing impudent negroes and negro-loving whites, then their +performances would have effected only good. Unfortunately, the Klan +began to degenerate into a vile means of wreaking revenge for personal +dislikes or personal animosities, and in this way many outrages were +perpetrated, ultimately resulting in casting so much well-deserved +odium on the whole concern that about the year 1870 there was almost a +universal collapse; all the good and brave men abandoning it in +disgust. Many outrages were committed in the name of Ku Klux that +really were done by irresponsible parties who never belonged to the +Klan."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[49] I have been told that in Tennessee several members of the Klan +were executed by its orders for committing evil deeds under name of +the Klan.--_Editor._ + +[50] Some of the "Dens" disbanded in 1868. "As soon as our object was +effected, viz., got the negroes to behave themselves, we +disbanded."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[51] Most of the carpetbag and negro legislatures of the other +Southern States passed similar laws, and Congress enacted a series of +three "Force Laws" in 1870-1871. See Burgess' "Reconstruction and the +Constitution," pp. 253, 262; Fleming's "Civil War and Reconstruction +in Alabama," p. 695.--_Editor._ + +[52] This is a good specimen of the "Force Laws" which were meant to +uphold the Radical governments in the South against popular +disaffection.--_Editor._ + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DISBANDMENT. + + +On the 20th day of February, 1869, Governor Brownlow resigned his +position as Governor to take the seat in the United States Senate, to +which he had been elected. The last paper to which he affixed his +signature as Governor of Tennessee, proclaimed martial law in certain +counties, and ordered troops to be sent thither. This proclamation was +dated February 20, 1869. In a short while it was followed by a +proclamation from the "Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire" to his +subjects. + +This proclamation recited the legislation directed against the Klan, +and stated that the order had now, in large measure, accomplished the +objects of its existence. At a time when the civil law afforded +inadequate protection to life and property, when robbery and +lawlessness of every description were unrebuked, when all the better +elements of society were in constant dread for the safety of their +property, persons and families, the Klan had afforded protection and +security to many firesides, and, in many ways contributed to the +public welfare. But greatly to the regret of all good citizens, some +members of the Klan had violated positive orders; others, under the +name and disguises of the organization, had assumed to do acts of +violence, for which the Klan was held responsible. The Grand Wizard +had been invested with the power to determine questions of paramount +importance to the interests of the order. Therefore, in the exercise +of that power, the Grand Wizard declared that the organization +heretofore known as the Ku Klux Klan was dissolved and disbanded. + +Members were directed to burn all regalia and paraphernalia of every +description, and to desist from any further assemblies or acts as Ku +Klux.[53] The members of the Klan were counseled in the future as +heretofore, to assist all good people of the land in maintaining and +upholding the civil laws, and in putting down lawlessness. This +proclamation was directed to all Realms, Dominions, Provinces and +"Dens" in "the Empire." It is reasonably certain that there were +portions of the Empire never reached by it. The Klan was widely +scattered and the facilities for communication exceedingly poor. The +Grand Wizard was a citizen of Tennessee. Under the statute just now +quoted newspapers were forbidden to publish anything emanating from +the Klan. So that there was no way in which this proclamation could be +generally disseminated. + +Where it was promulgated, obedience to it was prompt and implicit. +Whether obeyed or not, this proclamation terminated the Klan's +organized existence as decisively and completely as General Lee's last +general order, on the morning of the 10th of April, 1865, disbanded +the army of Northern Virginia. + +When the office of Grand Wizard was created and its duties defined, it +was explicitly provided that he should have "the power to determine +questions of paramount importance, and his decision shall be final." +To continue the organization or to disband it was such a question. He +decided in favor of disbanding, and so ordered. Therefore the Ku Klux +Klan had no organized existence after March, 1869.[54] + +The report of the Congressional Investigating Committee contains some +disreputable history, which belongs to a later date, and is attributed +to the Klan, but not justly so. For several years, after March, 1869, +the papers reported and commented on "Ku Klux outrages" committed at +various points. The authors of these outrages may have acted in the +name of the Klan, and under its disguises; it may be that in some +cases they were men who had been Ku Klux. But it cannot be charged +that they were acting by the authority of an order which had formally +disbanded. They were acting on their own responsibility. + +Thus lived, so died, this strange order. Its birth was an accident; +its growth was a comedy; its death a tragedy. It owed its existence +wholly to the anomalous condition of social and civil affairs in the +South during the years immediately succeeding the unfortunate contest +in which so many brave men in blue and gray fell, martyrs to their +convictions. + +There never was, before or since, a period of our history when such an +order could have lived. May there never be again! + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[53] In the copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript owned by +Columbia University Library is bound a letter in which is mentioned +this order of destruction.--_Editor._ + +[54] The local "Dens" were not affected by this order. Many had +already disbanded; many more remained active as long as the +Reconstruction régime lasted.--_Editor._ + + + + +APPENDIX I. + + + PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + + ADOPTED AT A CONVENTION OF THE ORDER + HELD IN NASHVILLE, APRIL, 1867 + + Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page + for page. The type used here is slightly larger than + in the original document. + + + + +[Page header: Damnant quod non intelligunt. 1] + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +* * + + What may this mean, + That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, + Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, + Making night hideous; and we fools of nature, + So horridly to shake our disposition, + With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? + + + An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin', + A certain _Ghoul_ is rantin', drinkin', + Some luckless night will send him linkin', + To your black pit; + But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin', + And cheat you yet. + + + [Header: Amici humani generis. 2] + + CREED. + + We the * * reverently acknowledge + the Majesty and Supremacy of the Divine being, + and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the + Same. + + PREAMBLE. + + We recognize our relations to the United States + Government and acknowledge the supremacy of + its laws. + + APPELLATION. + + ARTICLE I. This organization shall be styled and + denominated the * * + + TITLES. + + ART. II. The officers of this * shall consist of + a Grand Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii; + a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hy- + dras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six + Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province and his four + Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two + Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a + Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe, + a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand Ensign. + + SEC. 2. The body politic of this * shall be des- + ignated and known as "Ghouls." + + DIVISIONS. + + ART. III. This * shall be divided into five de- + partments, all combined, constituting the Grand + * of the Empire. The second department to be + called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the + Grand * of the Dominion. The fourth, the Grand + * of the Province. The fifth, the * of the Den. + + DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + + GRAND WIZARD. + + ART. IV. SEC. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Wizard, who is the Supreme Officer of the Empire + to communicate with and receive reports from the + + [Footer: Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.] + + [Header: Nec scire fas est omnia. 3] + + Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, + strength, efficiency and progress of the *s + within their respective Realms. And he shall com- + municate from time to time, to all subordinates *s, + through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength, + efficiency, and progress of the *s throughout his vast + Empire; and such other information as he may deem + expedient to impart. And it shall further be his du- + ty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without + any caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand + Dragons of the different Realms of his Empire, and + shall number such Realms with the Arabic nume- + rals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct + his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and + disbursement which he shall make of the revenue + of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have + the sole power to issue copies of this Prescript, + through his Subalterns and Deputies, for the organ- + ization and establishment of subordinate *s. And + he shall have the further power to appoint his Ge- + nii; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer + for his Department, and to appoint and ordain + Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the + more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab- + lishment of the * throughout his Empire. He is + further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu- + ties, to organize and control Realms, Dominions, + Provinces, and Dens, until the same shall elect a + Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and + a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provid- + ded. And when a question of paramount impor- + tance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises, + not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have + power to determine such question, and his decision + shall be final, until the same shall be provided for + by amendment as hereinafter provided. + + [Footer: Ne vile fano.] + + [Header: Ars est celare artem. 4] + + GRAND DRAGON. + + Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon + who is the Chief Officer of the Realm, to report to + the Grand Wizard when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of + the * within his Realm, and to transmit through + the Grand Titan to the subordinate *s of his Realm, + all information or intelligence conveyed to him by + the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such oth- + er information or instruction as he may think will + promote the interests of the *. He shall keep by his + G. Scribe a list of the names (without any caption) + of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of + his Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand + Wizard when required; and shall number the Do- + minions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1, + 2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand + Exchequer as to the appropriation and disburse- + ment of the revenue of the * that comes to his + hands. He shall have the power to appoint his + Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exche- + quer for his Department, and to appoint and ordain + Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the + more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab- + lishment of the * throughout his Realm. He is + further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu- + ties to organize and control Dominions, Provinces + and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Titan, + a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the manner + hereinafter provided. + + GRAND TITAN. + + Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan + who is the Chief Officer of the Dominion, to report + to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress + of the * within his Dominion, and to transmit + through the Grand Giants to the subordinate *s + + [Footer: Nusquam tuta fides.] + + [Header: Quid faciendum? 5] + + of his Dominion, all information or intelligence con- + veyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that pur + pose, and all such other information or instruction + as he may think will enhance the interests of the *. + He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the names + (without caption) of the Grand Giants of the differ- + ent Provinces of his Dominion, and shall report the + same to the Grand Dragon when required; and he + shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with + the Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he + shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to + the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue + of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have + power to appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand + Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his department, + and appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Ti- + tans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual + dissemination and establishment of the * throughout + his Dominion. He shall have further power to + appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and con- + trol Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect + a Grand Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the man- + ner hereinafter provided. + + GRAND GIANT. + + Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, + who is the Chief Officer of the Province, to super- + vise and administer general and special in- + struction in the formation and establishment of + *s within his Province, and to report to the Grand + Titan, when required by that officer, the condition, + strength, progress and efficiency of the * through- + out his Province, and to transmit, through the + Grand Cyclops, to the subordinate *s of his Pro- + vince, all information or intelligence conveyed to + him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such + other information and instruction as he may think + + [Footer: Fide non armis.] + + [Header: Fiat justia. 6] + + will advance the interests of the *. He shall keep by + his G. Scribe a list of the names (without caption) of + the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Prov- + ince, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan + when required; and shall number the Dens of his + Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad + finem._ And shall determine and limit the number + of Dens to be organized in his Province. And he + shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to + what appropriation and disbursement he shall make + of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. + He shall have power to appoint his Goblins; also, + a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his de- + partment, and to appoint and ordain Special Depu- + ty Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid + and effectual dissemination and establishment of + the * throughout his Province. He shall have + the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies + to organize and control Dens, until the same shall + elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner hereinafter + provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and + conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos. + + GRAND CYCLOPS. + + Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops + to take charge of the * of his Den after his election, + under the direction and with the assistance (when + practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance + with, and in conformity to the provisions of this + Prescript, a copy of which shall in all cases be obtain- + ed before the formation of a * begins. It shall fur- + ther be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of + his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregu- + lar meetings when he deems it expedient, to preserve + order in his Den, and to impose fines for irregularities + or disobedience of orders, and to receive and initiate + candidates for admission into the * after the + same shall have been pronounced competent and wor- + + [Footer: Hic manent vestigia morientis libertatis.] + + [Header: Curae leves loquntur, ingentes stupent. 7] + + thy become members by the Investigating Com- + mittee. He shall make a quarterly report to the + Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and ef- + ficiency of the * of his Den, and shall convey to + the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelli- + gence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that + purpose, and all other such information or instruc- + tion as he may think will conduce to the interests + and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and con- + duct the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have + power to appoint his Night Hawks, his Grand + Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and + his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and di- + rect the Grand Exchequer of his Den, as to what + appropriation and disbursement he shall make of + the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. + And for any small offense he may punish any mem- + ber by fine, and may reprimand him for the same: + And he may admonish and reprimand the * of + his Den for any imprudence, irregularity or trans- + gression, when he is convinced or advised that the + interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it. + + GRAND MAGI. + + Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, + who is the Second Officer, in Authority, of the Den, + to assist the Grand Cyclops and to obey all the + proper orders of that officer. To preside at all + meetings in the Den in the absence of the Grand + Cyclops; and to exercise during his absence all the + powers and authority conferred upon that officer. + + GRAND MONK. + + Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, + who is the third officer, in authority, of the Den, to + assist and obey all the proper orders of the Grand + Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence + of both of these officers, he shall preside at and con- + duct the meetings in the Den, and shall exercise all + + [Footer: Dat Deus his quoque finem.] + + [Header: Cessante causa, cessat effectus. 8] + + the powers and authority conferred upon the Grand + Cyclops. + + GRAND EXCHEQUER. + + Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exche- + quers of the different Departments of the * to keep + a correct account of all the revenue of the * that + shall come to their hands, and shall make no appro- + priation or disbursement of the same except under + the orders and direction of the chief officer of their + respective departments. And it shall further be + the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect + the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the + Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND TURK. + + Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, + who is the Executive Officer of the Grand Cyclops, + to notify the ghouls of the Den of all informal or + irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops + and to obey and execute all the lawful orders of that + officer in the control and government of his Den. + It shall further be his duty to receive and question + at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into + the *, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary + obligation required, and then to conduct such can- + didate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his + Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. + And it shall further be his duty to act as the ex- + ecutive officer of the Grand Council of Centaurs. + + GRAND SCRIBE. + + Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes + of the different departments to conduct the corres- + pondence and write the orders of the chiefs of their + departments, when required. And it shall further + be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep + a list of the names (without caption) of the ghouls + of the Den--to call the Roll at all regular meetings + and to make the quarterly report under the direc- + tion of the Grand Cyclops. + + [Footer: Droit et avant.] + + [Header: Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. 9] + + GRAND SENTINEL. + + Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Senti- + nel to detail, take charge of, post and instruct the + Grand Guard under the direction and orders of the + Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same + when directed by that officer. + + GRAND ENSIGN. + + Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign + to take charge of the Grand Banner of the *, to + preserve it sacredly, and protect it carefully, and to + bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and + on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may + direct it to be flung to the night breeze. + + ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + + ART. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand + Magi, the Grand Monk, and the Grand Exchequer + of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the + ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these + officers may take place as soon as seven ghouls have + been initiated for that purpose. + + Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the + Grand Dragons of Realms, the Grand Titans of Do- + minions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall + be elected biennially, and in the following man- + ner, to wit: The Grand Wizard by a majority vote + of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand + Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his + Realm; the Grand Titans by a like vote of the + Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the Grand Gi- + ant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Pro- + vince. + + The first election for Grand Dragon may take + place as soon as three Dominions have been organ- + ized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections shall + be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, through- + out the Realm, and biennially as aforesaid. + + The first election for Grand Titan may take place + + [Footer: Dormitur aliquando jus, moritur nunquam.] + + [Header: Deo adjuvante, non timendum. 10] + + as soon as three Provinces have been organized in a + Dominion, but all subsequent elections shall be by a + majority vote of all the Grand Giants throughout + the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid. + + The first election for Grand Giant may take place + as soon as three Dens have been organized in a + Province, but all subsequent elections shall be by a + majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout + the Province, and biennially as aforesaid. + + The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby cre- + ated, to serve three years from the First Monday + in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time, + biennial elections shall be held for that office as + aforesaid. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall + notify the Grand Dragons, at least six months be- + fore said election, at what time and place the same + will be held. + + JUDICIARY. + + ART. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this + * shall consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and + a Grand Council of Centaurs. + + Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be + the Tribunal for the trial of all elected officers, and + shall be composed of officers of equal rank with the + accused, and shall be appointed and presided over + by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by + him to administer even handed justice. The Tribu- + nal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, shall be com- + posed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and + shall be presided over and sworn by the senior + Grand Dragon. They shall have power to summon + the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and + if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and + execute the same. And they shall have power to + appoint an executive officer to attend said Council + while in session. + + [Footer: Spectemur agendo.] + + [Header: Nemo nos impune lacessit. 11] + + Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be + the Tribunal for the trial of Ghouls and non-elective + officers, and shall be composed of six judges appoint- + ed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den, + presided over and sworn by him to give the ac- + cused a fair and impartial trial. They shall + have power to summon the accused, and + witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty + they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the + same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand + Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integri- + ty and fair-mindedness, and shall render their ver- + dict without prejudice or partiality. + + REVENUE. + + ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall + be derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre- + script issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars will + be required. Two dollars of which shall go into + the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Gi- + ant; two into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of + the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand + Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining + four into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the + Grand Wizard. + + Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of the + Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the Grand + Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable + to levy the same. + + Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Domin- + ions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand + Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispen- + sable. + + Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin- + ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Pro- + + [Footer: Patria cara, carior libertas.] + + [Header: Ad unum omnes. 12] + + vinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the Grand + Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispen- + sable. + + Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces + shall be ten per cent. on all the revenue of Dens, + and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand Giant + shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + + Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be + the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax, when- + ever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such tax indis- + pensable to the interests and purposes of the *. + + Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the man- + ner herein aforesaid, shall be for the exclusive ben- + efit of the *. And shall be appropriated to the + dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a + fund to meet any disbursement that it may become + necessary to make to accomplish the objects of the + *, and to secure the protection of the same. + + OBLIGATION. + + ART. VIII. No one shall become a member of + this *, unless he shall take the following oath or + obligation: + + "I, ---- of my own free will and accord, and in + the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear + or affirm that I will never reveal to any one, not a + member of the * * by any intimation, sign, + symbol, word or act, or in any other manner what- + ever, any of the secrets, signs, grips, pass words, + mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am + a member of the same or that I know any one who + _is_ a member, and that I will abide by the Prescript + and Edicts of the * *. So help me God." + + Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be adminis- + tered before the candidate for admission is taken + to the Grand Cyclops for examination, shall be as + follows: + + "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never + + [Footer: Deo duce, ferro comitante.] + + [Header: Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. 13] + + reveal any thing that I may this day (or night) + learn concerning the * *. So help me God." + + ADMISSION. + + ART. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for + admission into this *, until he shall have been + recommended by some friend or intimate, who _is_ a + member, to the Investigating Committee, which + shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand + Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall investi- + gate his antecedents and his past and present stand- + ing and connections, and if after such investigation, + they pronounce him competent and worthy to become + a member, he may be admitted upon taking the ob- + ligation required and passing through the ceremo- + nies of initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be + admitted into this * who shall have not attain- + ed the age of eighteen years. + + Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a dis- + tant * when there is a * established and in + operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor + shall any one become a member of any * after + he shall have been rejected by any other *. + + ENSIGN. + + ART. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be + in the form of an isosceles triangle, five feet long + and three wide at the staff. The material shall be + Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three + inches in width. There shall be painted upon it, + in black, a Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55] with + the following motto inscribed above the Dragon, + + "QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS."[56] + + AMENDMENTS. + + ART. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts + thereof, shall never be changed except by a two- + + [Footer: O tempora! O mores!] + + [Header: Ad utrumque paratus. 14] + + thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in + Convention assembled, and at which Convention + the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a + vote. And upon the application of a majority of + the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the Grand + Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said + Convention; which, when assembled, shall pro- + ceed to make such modifications and amendments as + it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the + utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purpo- + ses of the *. + + INTERDICTION. + + ART. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and + ritual of this * shall never be written, but the + same shall be communicated orally. + + REGISTER. + + 1st--Dismal. 7th--Dreadful. + 2nd--Dark. 8th--Terrible. + 3rd--Furious. 9th--Horrible. + 4th--Portentous. 10th--Melancholy. + 5th--Wonderful. 11th--Mournful. + 6th--Alarming. 12th--Dying. + + II. + + I--White. IV--Black. + II--Green. V--Yellow. + III--Blue. VI--Crimson. + VII--Purple. + + III. + + 1--Fearful. 7--Doleful. + 2--Startling. 8--Sorrowful. + 3--Awful. 9--Hideous. + 4--Woeful. 10--Frightful. + 5--Horrid. 11--Appalling. + 6--Bloody. 12--Last. + + EDICTS. + + I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one + dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated + and received into the *. + + II. No member shall be allowed to take any in- + toxicating spirits to any meeting of the *. Nor + shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting + when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a + meeting in such a condition, he shall be fined the + + [Footer: Cavendo tutus.] + + [Header: Astra castra, numen lumen. 15] + + sum of not less than one nor more than five dollars, + to go into the revenue of the *. + + III. Any member may be expelled from the * + by a majority vote of the officers and ghouls of the + Den to which he belongs, and if after such expulsion + such member shall assume any of the duties, rega- + lia or insignia of the * or in any way claim to be + a member of the same, he shall be severely punish- + ed. His obligation of secrecy shall be as binding + upon him after expulsion as before, and for any + revelation made by him thereafter, he shall be held + accountable in the same manner as if he were then + a member. + + IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to + be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to the * + of his Den, at least once in every three months,-- + And shall read them to each new member when he + is initiated, or present the same to him for person- + al perusal. + + V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand + Banner of the *. + + VI. The *s of Dens may make such addition- + al Edicts for their control and government as they + shall deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, + No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the pro- + visions or Edicts of this Prescript. + + VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, con- + cerning any and everything that relates to the * + shall at all times be maintained. + + VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the + secrets or purposes of this * shall suffer the ex- + treme penalty of the Law. + + Hush, thou art not to utter what + I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant. + I said that I would see thee once again. + + [Footer: Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat.] + + [Header: Amici usque ad aras. 16] + + L' ENVOI. + + To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Jus- + tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of + the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the * * + + [Footer: Nos ducit amor libertatis.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial. + +[56] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be true." + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + +ADOPTED IN 1868 (?) + + +Reprinted _in facsimile_ + + + + + REVISED AND AMENDED + + PRESCRIPT + + OF THE + + ORDER + + OF THE + + * + * * + + + _Damnant quod non intelligunt._ + + + + + APPELLATION. + + This Organization shall be styled and + denominated, the Order of the * * *. + + CREED. + + We, the Order of the * * *, rever- + entially acknowledge the majesty and + supremacy of the Divine Being, and + recognize the goodness and providence + of the same. And we recognize our + relation to the United States Govern- + ment, the supremacy of the Constitu- + tion, the Constitutional Laws thereof, + and the Union of States thereunder. + + CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. + + This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, + Mercy, and Patriotism; embodying in its genius + and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct, + noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and + patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being + + First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and + the defenceless, from the indignities, wrongs, and + outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the + brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to + succor the suffering and unfortunate, and espe- + cially the widows and orphans of Confederate + soldiers. + + Second: To protect and defend the Constitu- + tion of the United States, and all laws passed in + conformity thereto, and to protect the States and + the people thereof from all invasion from any + source whatever. + + Third: To aid and assist in the execution of + all constitutional laws, and to protect the people + from unlawful seizure, and from trial except by + their peers in conformity to the laws of the land. + + ARTICLE I. + + TITLES. + + SECTION 1. The officers of this Order shall consist + of a Grand Wizard of the Empire, and + his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm, + + [Header: _Nec scire fas est omnia._ 4] + + and his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Do- + minion, and his six Furies; a Grand Giant of + the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand + Cyclops of the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a + Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand Scribe, a + Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand + Sentinel. + + SEC. 2. The body politic of this Order shall + be known and designated as "Ghouls." + + ARTICLE II. + + TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS. + + SECTION 1. The territory embraced within the + jurisdiction of this Order shall he coterminous + with the States of Maryland, Virginia, North + Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala- + bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, + Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; all com- + bined constituting the Empire. + + SEC. 2. The Empire shall be divided into four + departments, the first to be styled the Realm, + and coterminus with the boundaries of the + several States; the second to be styled the Do- + minion, and to be coterminous with such coun- + ties as the Grand Dragons of the several Realms + may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan. + The third to be styled the Province, and to be co- + terminous with the several counties; _provided_, + the Grand Titan may, when he deems it neces- + sary, assign two Grand Giants to one Province, + prescribing, at the same time, the jurisdiction of + + [Header: _Amici humani generis._ 5] + + each. The fourth department to be styled the + Den, and shall embrace such part of a Province + as the Grand Giant shall assign to the charge of + a Grand Cyclops. + + ARTICLE III. + + POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + + GRAND WIZARD. + + SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard, who is the + supreme officer of the Empire, shall have power, + and he shall be required to, appoint Grand + Dragons for the different Realms of the Empire; + and he shall have power to appoint his Genii, + also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer + for his Department, and he shall have the sole + power to issue copies of this Prescript, through + his subalterns, for the organization and dissemi- + nation of the Order; and when a question of + paramount importance to the interests or pros- + perity of the Order arises, not provided for in + this Prescript, he shall have power to determine + such question, and his decision shall be final + until the same shall be provided for by amend- + ment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his + duty to communicate with, and receive reports + from, the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the + condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of + the Order within their respective Realms. And, + it shall further be his duty to keep, by his Grand + Scribe, a list of the names (without any caption + or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons, + of the different Realms of the Empire, and shall + + [Header: _Quemeunque miserum videris, hominem scias._ 6] + + number such Realms with the Arabic numerals + 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_; and he shall direct and + instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appro- + priation and disbursement he shall make of the + revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + + GRAND DRAGON. + + SEC. 2. The Grand Dragon, who is the chief + officer of the Realm, shall have power, and he + shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand + Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such + Dominion not to exceed three in number for any + Congressional District) said appointments being + subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of + the Empire. He shall have power to appoint + his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand + Exchequer for his Department. + + It shall be his duty to report to the Grand + Wizard, when required by that officer, the con- + dition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the + Order within his Realm, and to transmit, + through the Grand Titan, or other authorized + sources, to the Order, all information, intelli- + gence, or instruction conveyed to him by the + Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such + other information or instruction as he may think + will promote the interest and utility of the Or- + der. He shall keep by his Grand Scribe, a list + of the names (without caption) of the Grand + Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm, + and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard + when required, and shall number the Domin- + + [Header: _Magna est veritas, et prevalebit._ 7] + + ion of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, + 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he shall direct and in- + struct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropria- + tion and disbursement he shall make of the reve- + nue of the Order that comes to his hands. + + GRAND TITAN. + + SEC. 3. The Grand Titan, who is the chief + officer of the Dominion, shall have power, and he + shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand + Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such + appointments, however, being subject to the ap- + proval of the Grand Dragon of the Realm. He + shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also, + a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his + Department. It shall be his duty to report to + the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress + of the Order within his Dominion, and to trans- + mit through the Grand Giant, or other author- + ized channels, to the Order, all information, in- + telligence, instruction or directions conveyed to + him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and + all such other information or instruction as he + may think will enhance the interest or efficiency + of the Order. + + He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of + the names (without caption or explanation) of + the Grand Giants of the different Provinces of + his Dominion, and shall report the same to the + Grand Dragon when required; and shall num- + + [Header: _Ne tentes aut perfice._ 8] + + ber the Provinces of his Dominion with the Ar- + abic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he + shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer + as to the appropriation and disbursement he shall + make of the revenue of the Order that comes to + his hands. + + GRAND GIANT. + + SEC. 4. The Grand Giant, who is the chief + officer of the Province, shall have power, and he + is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand Cy- + clops for each Den of his Province, such ap- + pointments, however, being subject to the ap- + proval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion. + And he shall have the further power to appoint + his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand + Exchequer for his Department. + + It shall be his duty to supervise and admin- + ister general and special instructions in the or- + ganization and establishment of the Order within + his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, + when required by that officer, the condition, + strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order + within his Province, and to transmit through the + Grand Cyclops, or other legitimate sources, to the + Order, all information, intelligence, instruction, + or directions conveyed to him by the Grand + Titan or other higher authority for that purpose, + and all such other information or instruction as + he may think would advance the purposes or + prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his + Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without cap- + + [Header: _Quid faciendum?_ 9] + + tion or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of the + various Dens of his Province, and shall report + the same to the Grand Titan when required; and + shall number the Dens of his Province with the + Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. He + shall determine and limit the number of Dens + to be organized and established in his Province; + and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Ex- + chequer as to the appropriation and disburse- + ment he shall make of the revenue of the Order + that comes to his hands. + + GRAND CYCLOPS. + + SEC. 5. The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief + officer of the Den, shall have power to appoint + his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand + Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sen- + tinel. And for small offenses he may punish + any member by fine, and may reprimand him + for the same. And he is further empowered to + admonish and reprimand his Den, or any of the + members thereof, for any imprudence, irregu- + larity, or transgression, whenever he may think + that the interests, welfare, reputation or safety + of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to + take charge of his Den under the instruction and + with the assistance (when practicable) of the + Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in con- + formity to the provisions of this Prescript--a + copy of which shall in all cases be obtained before + the formation of a Den begins. It shall + + [Header: _Fiat justitia ruat coelum._ 10] + + further be his duty to appoint all regular meet- + ings of his Den, and to preside at the same; to + appoint irregular meetings when he deems it ex- + pedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline + in his Den; to impose fines for irregularities or + disobedience of orders; and to receive and initi- + ate candidates for admission into the Order, after + the same shall have been pronounced competent + and worthy to become members, by the Investi- + gating Committee herein after provided for. + And it shall further be his duty to make a quar- + terly report to the Grand Giant of the condition, + strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, and + shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of + his Den, all information, intelligence, instruction, + or direction, conveyed to him by the Grand Gi- + ant or other higher authority for that purpose; + and shall from time to time administer all such + other counsel, instruction or direction, as in his + sound discretion, will conduce to the interests, + and more effectually accomplish, the real objects + and designs of the Order. + + GRAND MAGI. + + SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Magi, who is the second officer in authority of + the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to obey + all the orders of that officer; to preside at all + meetings in the Den, in the absence of the Grand + Cyclops; and to discharge during his absence + all the duties and exercise all the powers and + authority of that officer. + + [Header: _Dormitus aliquando jus, moritus nunquam._ 11] + + GRAND MONK. + + SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Monk, who is the third officer in authority of + the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of the + Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in + the absence of both of these officers, he shall pre- + side at and conduct the meetings in the Den, and + shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the + powers and authority of the Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND EXCHEQUER. + + SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ex- + chequers of the different Departments to keep a + correct account of all the revenue of the Order + that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by + them; and shall make no appropriation or dis- + bursement of the same except under the orders + and direction of the chief officer of their respect- + ive Departments. And it shall further be the + duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect the + initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand + Cyclops, or the officer discharging his functions. + + GRAND TURK. + + SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Turk, who is the executive officer of the Grand + Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the + Den, of all informal or irregular meetings ap- + pointed by the Grand Cyclops, and to obey and + execute all the orders of that officer in the con- + trol and government of his Den. It shall further + be his duty to receive and question at the out- + + [Header: _Quieta non movere._ 12] + + posts, all candidates for admission into the Order, + and shall _there_ administer the preliminary obli- + gation required, and then to conduct such candi- + date or candidates to the Grand Cyclops, and to + assist him in the initiation of the same. + + GRAND SCRIBE. + + SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Scribes of the different Departments to conduct + the correspondence and write the orders of the + Chiefs of their Departments, when required. + And it shall further be the duty of the Grand + Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names + (without any caption or explanation whatever) + of the Officers and Ghouls of the Den, to call the + roll at all meetings, and to make the quarterly + reports under the direction and instruction of the + Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND SENTINEL. + + SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Sentinel to take charge of post, and instruct the + Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of + the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss + the same when directed by that officer. + + THE STAFF. + + SEC. 12. The Genii shall constitute the staff of + the Grand Wizard; the Hydras, that of the + Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand + Titan; the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant; + and the Night-hawks, that of the Grand Cyclops, + + [Header: _Quid verum alque decens._ 13] + + REMOVAL. + + SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and sub- + stantial cause, any appointee may be removed by + the authority that appointed him, and his place + supplied by another appointment. + + ARTICLE IV + + ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + + SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard shall be elected + biennially by the Grand Dragons of Realms. + The first election for this office to take place on + the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard + having been created, by the original Prescript, + to serve three years from the 1st Monday in May, + 1867); all subsequent elections to take place every + two years thereafter. And the incumbent Grand + Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons of the + different Realms, at least six months before said + election, at what time and place the same will + be held; a majority vote of all the Grand + Dragons _present_ being necessary and sufficient to + elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be + by ballot, and shall be held by three Commis- + sioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that + purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand + Wizard shall have the casting-vote. + + SEC. 2. The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk + of Dens shall be elected annually by the Ghouls + of Dens; and the first election for these officers + may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been + initiated for the formation of a Den. All subse- + + [Header: _Art est colare artem._ 14] + + quent elections to take place every year there- + after. + + SEC. 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office + of Grand Wizard, by death, resignation, removal, + or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of the + Empire shall immediately assume and enter + upon the discharge of the duties of the Grand + Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and per- + form the duties of said office until the same shall + be filled by election; and the said senior Grand + Dragon, as soon as practicable after the happen- + ing of such vacancy, shall call a convention of + the Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at + such time and place as in his discretion he may + deem most convenient and proper. _Provided_, + however, that the time for assembling such Con- + vention for the election of a Grand Wizard shall + in no case exceed six months from the time such + vacancy occurred; and in the event of a va- + cancy in any other office, the same shall imme- + diately be filled in the manner herein before + mentioned. + + SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or ap- + pointed may retain their offices during the time + for which they have been so elected or appointed, + at the expiration of which time said offices shall + be filled as herein-before provided. + + ARTICLE V + + JUDICIARY. + + SECTION 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this + Order shall consist of a Court at the Head-quar- + + [Header: _Nusquam tuta fides._ 15] + + ters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the + Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the + Chiefs of these several Departments. + + SEC. 2. The Court at the Head-quarters of + the Empire shall consist of three Judges for the + trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and at- + tachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the + Empire. + + SEC. 3. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Realm shall consist of three Judges for the trial + of Grand Titans, and the Officers and attachés + belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm. + + SEC. 4. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Dominion shall consist of three Judges for the + trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and at- + tachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the + Dominion. + + SEC. 5. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Province shall consist of five Judges for the + trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand + Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and + the Officers and attachés belonging to the Head- + quarters of the Province. + + SEC. 6. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Den shall consist of seven Judges appointed + from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the + officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den. + + SEC. 7. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand + Wizard shall be composed of at least seven Grand + Dragons, to be convened by the senior Grand + Dragon upon charges being preferred against the + + [Header: _Fide non armis._ 16] + + Grand Wizard; which Tribunal shall be organ- + ized and presided over by the senior Grand + Dragon _present_; and if they find the accused + guilty, they shall prescribe the penalty, and the + senior Grand Dragon of the Empire shall cause + the same to be executed. + + SEC. 8. The aforesaid Courts shall summon + the accused and witnesses for and against him, + and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the pen- + alty, and the Officers convening the Court shall + cause the same to be executed. _Provided_ the ac- + cused shall always have the right of appeal to + the next Court above, whose decision shall be + final. + + SEC. 9. The Judges constituting the aforesaid + Courts shall be selected with reference to their + intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, and + shall render their verdict without prejudice, + favor, partiality, or affection, and shall be so + sworn, upon the organization of the Court; and + shall further be sworn to administer even-handed + justice. + + SEC. 10. The several Courts herein provided + for shall be governed in their deliberations, pro- + ceedings, and judgments by the rules and regu- + lations governing the proceedings of regular + Courts-martial. + + ARTICLE VI. + + REVENUE. + + SECTION 1. The revenue of this Order shall be + derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre- + + [Header: _Dat Deus his quoque finem._ 17] + + script issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2 + of which shall go into the hands of the Grand + Exchequer of the Grand Giant, $2 into the hands + of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan, + $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of + the Grand Dragon, and the remaining $4 into + the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand + Wizard. + + SEC. 2. A further source of revenue to the + Empire shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue + of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the + Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and in- + dispensable to levy the same. + + SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Do- + minions, and a tax upon Dominions when the + Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and in- + dispensable to levy the same. + + SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin- + ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of + Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the + Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and + indispensable. + + SEC. 5. A further source of revenue to Provin- + ces shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of + Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand + Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indis- + pensable. + + SEC. 6. The source of revenue to Dens shall + be the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax, + whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such + + [Header: _Cessante causa, cessat effectus._ 18] + + tax necessary and indispensable to the interests + and objects of the Order. + + SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the man- + ner aforesaid, shall be for the _exclusive_ benefit of + the Order, and shall be appropriated to the + dissemination of the same and to the creation of + a fund to meet any disbursement that it may be- + come necessary to make to accomplish the ob- + jects of the Order and to secure the protection of + the same. + + ARTICLE VII. + + ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. + + SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for ad- + mission into the Order until he shall have first + been recommended by some friend or intimate + who _is_ a member, to the Investigating Commit- + tee, (which shall be composed of the Grand Cy- + clops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,) + and who shall have investigated his antecedents + and his past and present standing and connec- + tions; and after such investigation, shall have + pronounced him competent and worthy to become + a member. _Provided_, no one shall be presented + for admission into, or become a member of, this + Order who shall not have attained the age of + eighteen years. + + SEC. 2. No one shall become a member of this + Order unless he shall _voluntarily_ take the follow- + ing oaths or obligations, and shall _satisfactorily_ + answer the following interrogatories, while kneel- + + [Header: _Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui._ 19] + + ing, with his right hand raised to heaven, and + his left hand resting on the Bible: + + PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION. + + "I ---- solemnly swear or affirm that I will + never reveal any thing that I may this day (or + night) learn concerning the Order of the * * *, + and that I will true answer make to such interrog- + atories as may be put to me touching my com- + petency for admission into the same. So help + me God." + + INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED: + + 1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon appli- + cation for membership in the * * *, or have you + ever been expelled from the same? + + 2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a + member of the Radical Republican party, or + either of the organizations known as the "Loyal + League" and the "Grand Army of the Re- + public?". + + 3d. Are you opposed to the principles and + policy of the Radical party, and to the Loyal + League, and the Grand Army of the Republic, + so far as you are informed of the character and + purposes of those organizations? + + 4th. Did you belong to the Federal army + during the late war, and fight against the South + during the existence of the same? + + 5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both + social and political? + + 6th. Are you in favor of a white man's gov- + ernment in this country? + + [Header: _Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare._ 20] + + 7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty, + and a Government of equitable laws instead of a + Government of violence and oppression? + + 8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Con- + stitutional rights of the South? + + 9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchise- + ment and emancipation of the white men of + the South, and the restitution of the Southern + people to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil, + and political? + + 10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right + of self-preservation of the people against the ex- + ercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power? + + If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfacto- + rily answered, and the candidate desires to go + further (after something of the character and na- + ture of the Order has thus been indicated to him) + and to be admitted to the benefits, mysteries, + secrets and purposes of the Order, he shall then + be required to take the following final oath or + obligation. But if said interrogatories are not + satisfactorily answered, or the candidate declines + to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after + being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi- + cer of the deep secresy to which the oath already + taken has bound him, and that the extreme pen- + alty of the law will follow a violation of the same. + + FINAL OBLIGATION. + + "I ---- of my own free will and accord, + and in the presence of Almighty God, do sol- + emnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to + + [Header: _Deo adjuvante, non timendum._ 21] + + any one not a member of the Order of the * * *, + by any intimation, sign, symbol, word or act, or + in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets, + signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order + of the * * *, or that I am a member of the same, + or that I know any one who _is_ a member; and + that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of + the Order of the * * * So help me God." + + The initiating officer will then proceed to ex- + plain to the new members the character and ob- + jects of the Order, and introduce him to the mys- + teries and secrets of the same; and shall read to + him this Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or + present the same to him for personal perusal. + + ARTICLE VIII. + + AMENDMENTS. + + This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof + shall never be changed, except by a two-thirds + vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in + convention assembled, and at which convention + the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled + to a vote. And upon the application of a ma- + jority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the + Grand Wizard shall call and appoint the time + and place for said convention; which, when as- + sembled, shall proceed to make such modifica- + tions and amendments as it may think will + promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and + more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the + Order. + + [Header: _Spectemus agendo._ 22] + + ARTICLE IX. + + INTERDICTION. + + The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order + shall never be written, but the same shall be + communicated orally. + + ARTICLE X. + + EDICTS. + + 1. No one shall become a member of a distant + Den, when there is a Den established and in ope- + ration in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall + any one become a member of any Den, or of this + Order in any way after he shall have been once + rejected, upon application for membership. + + 2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members + thereof, shall operate beyond their prescribed + limits, unless invited or ordered by the proper + authority so to do. + + 3. No member shall be allowed to take any + intoxicating spirits to any meeting of the Den; + nor shall any member be allowed to attend a + meeting while intoxicated; and for every ap- + pearance at a meeting in such condition, he shall + be fined the sum of not less than one nor more + than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the + Order. + + 4. Any member may be expelled from the + Order by a majority vote of the Officers and + Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if + after such expulsion, such member shall assume + any of the duties, regalia, or insignia of the Or- + + [Header: _Nemo nos impune lacissit._ 23] + + der, or in any way claim to be a member of the + same, he shall be severely punished. His obli- + gation of secrecy shall be as binding upon him + after expulsion as before, and for any revelation + made by him thereafter, he shall be held ac- + countable in the same manner as if he were then + a member. + + 5. Upon the expulsion of any member from + the Order, the Grand Cyclops, or the officer act- + ing in his stead, shall immediately report the + same to the Grand Giant of the Province, who + shall cause the fact to be made known and read + in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit + the same, through the proper channels, to the + Grand Dragon of the Realm, who shall cause it + to be published to every Den in his Realm, and + shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous + Realms of the same. + + 6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause + to be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to his + Den, at least once in every month; and shall read + them to each new member when he is initiated, + or present the same to him for personal perusal. + + 7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one + dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated + and received into the Order. + + 8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for + their control and government as they may deem + requisite and necessary. _Provided_, no Edict + shall be made to conflict with any of the provi- + sions or Edicts of this Prescript. + + [Header: _Ad unum omnes._ 24] + + 9. The most profound and rigid secrecy con- + cerning any and everything that relates to the + Order, shall at all times be maintained. + + 10. Any member who shall reveal or betray + the secrets of this Order, shall suffer the extreme + penalty of the law. + + ADMONITION. + + Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, be- + think thee! it was our covenant! + + REGISTER. + + I. + + 1. Dismal, 7. Painful, + 2. Mystic, 8. Portentous, + 3. Stormy, 9. Fading, + 4. Peculiar, 10. Melancholy, + 5. Blooming, 11. Glorious, + 6. Brilliant, 12. Gloomy. + + II. + + I. White, II. Green, III. Yellow, IV. Amber, + V. Purple, VI. Crimson, VII. Emerald. + + III. + + 1. Fearful, 7. Hideous, + 2. Startling, 8. Frightful, + 3. Wonderful, 9. Awful, + 4. Alarming, 10. Horrible, + 5. Mournful, 11. Dreadful, + 6. Appalling, 12. Last. + + IV. + + Cumberland. + + L'ENVOI. + + To the lovers of law and order, peace and jus- + tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of the + venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the + Order of the * * * + + _Resurgamus._ + + + + +APPENDIX III. + +CONSTITUTION OF A LOCAL +ORDER MODELED UPON +KU KLUX KLAN + +Used in South Carolina and in North Carolina + +From The Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony + + +CONSTITUTION + + +ARTICLE I. + +This organization shall be known as the ---- Order, No. --, of the Ku +Klux Klan of the State of South Carolina. + + +ARTICLE II. + +The officers shall consist of a cyclops and a scribe, both of whom +shall be elected by a majority vote of the order, and to hold their +office during good behavior. + + +ARTICLE III. + +SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the C. to preside in the order, +enforce a due observance of the constitution and by-laws, and an exact +compliance to the rules and usages of the order; to see that all the +members perform their respective duties; to appoint all committees +before the order; inspect the arms and dress of each member on +special occasions; to call meetings when necessary; draw upon members +for all sums needed to carry on the order. + +SEC. 2. The S. shall keep a record of the proceedings of the order; +write communications; notify other Klans when their assistance is +needed; give notice when any member has to suffer the penalty for +violating his oath; see that all books, papers or other property +belonging to his office, are placed beyond the reach of any one not a +member of the order. He shall perform such other duties as may be +required of him by the C. + + +ARTICLE IV. + +SECTION 1. No person shall be initiated into this order under eighteen +years of age. + +SEC. 2. No person of color shall be admitted into this order. + +SEC. 3. No person shall be admitted into this order who does not +sustain a good moral character, and who is in any way incapacitated to +perform the duties of a Ku Klux. + +SEC. 4. The name of a person proposed for membership must be proposed +by the committee appointed by the chief, verbally, stating age, +residence, and occupation; state if he was a soldier in the late war, +his rank, whether in the Federal or Confederate service, and his +command. + +ARTICLE V. + +SECTION 1. Any member who shall offend against these articles, or the +by-laws shall be subject to be fined and reprimanded by the C., as +two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting may +determine. + +SEC. 2. Every member shall be entitled to a fair trial for any offense +involving reprimand or criminal punishment. + + +BY-LAWS + +ARTICLE I. + +SECTION 1. This order shall meet at ----. + +SEC. 2. Five members shall constitute a quorum, provided the C. or S. +be present. + +SEC. 3. The C. shall have power to appoint such members of the order +to attend the sick, the needy, and those distressed, and those +suffering from radical misrule, as the case may require. + +SEC. 4. No person shall be appointed on a committee unless the person +is present at the time of appointment. Members of committees +neglecting to report shall be fined 30 cents. + + +ARTICLE II. + +SECTION 1. Every member, on being admitted, shall sign the +constitution and by-laws and pay the initiation fee. + +SEC. 2. A brother of the Klan wishing to become a member of this +order, who shall present his application with the proper papers of +transfer from the order of which he was a member formerly, shall be +admitted to the order only by a unanimous vote of the members present. + + +ARTICLE III. + +SECTION 1. The initiation fee shall be ----. + + +ARTICLE IV. + +SECTION 1. Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his fine or +dues shall be dealt with as the chief thinks proper. + +SEC. 2. Sickness or absence from the country or being engaged in any +important business shall be a valid excuse for any neglect of duty. + + +ARTICLE V. + +SECTION 1. Each member shall provide himself with a pistol, Ku Klux +gown and signal instruments. + +SEC. 2. When charges have been preferred against a member in proper +manner, or any matters of grievance between brother Ku Klux are +brought before the order, they shall be referred to a committee of +three or more members, who shall examine the parties and determine the +matters in question, reporting their decision to the order. If the +parties interested desire, two-thirds of the members present voting in +favor of the report, it shall be carried. + + +ARTICLE VI. + +SECTION 1. It is the duty of every member who has evidence that +another has violated Article II. to prefer the charges and specify the +offense to the order. + +SEC. 2. The charge for violating Article II. shall be referred to a +committee of five or more members, who shall as soon as practicable, +summon the parties and investigate the matter. + +SEC. 3. If the committee agree that the charges are sustained, that +the member on trial has intentionally violated his oath, or Article +II., they shall report the fact to the order. + +SEC. 4. If the committee agree that the charges are not sustained, +that the member is not guilty of violating his oath or Article II., +they shall report to that effect to the order and the charges shall be +dismissed. + +SEC. 5. When the committee report that the charges are sustained, and +the unanimous vote of the members is given thereof, the offending +person shall be sentenced to death by the chief. + +SEC. 6. The person, through the cyclops of the order of which he is a +member, can make application for pardon to the Great Grand Cyclops of +Nashville, Tennessee, in which case execution of the sentence can be +stayed until pardoning power is heard from. + + +ARTICLE VII. + +SECTION 1. Any member who shall betray or divulge any of the matters +of the order shall suffer death. + + +ARTICLE VIII. + +SECTION 1. The following shall be the rules of any order to any matter +herein not provided for; shall be managed in strict accordance with +the Ku Klux rules. + +SEC. 2. When the chief takes his position on the right, the scribe, +with the members forming a half-circle around them, and at the sound +of the signal instrument there shall be profound silence. + +SEC. 3. Before proceeding to business, the scribe shall call the roll +and note the absentees. + +SEC. 4. Business shall be taken up in the following order: + +1. Reading the minutes. + +2. Excuse of members at preceding meeting. + +3. Report of committee of candidates for membership. + +4. Collection of dues. + +5. Are any of the order sick or suffering? + +6. Report of committees. + +7. New business. + + + + +APPENDIX IV. + +KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS +AND OATHS + + +KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS, OATHS. + + + KU KLUX KLAN. + + ALERT! + + (Crossed muskets) + (and pistol.) (Spade ax ax.) + + ALERT! ALERT! + + T T T T T T T T T T T + +The B. G. C. of the K. K. K. is in town. You who know the signal of +his presence and have seen it be on the _alert_. You who do not--to a +brother--_mark the nail of the finger and the_ (?) must be organized +in the future. _Traitors_ to their race _will not always flemish like +the bay. Dimity marks them. Look out. And meet at the cave where the +Greased Lightning Slumbers._ + + By order of the + B. G. C. + In Pro., Per. + + D. W. S. + Forerunner.[57] + +KU KLUX. + + Serpent's Den--Death's Retreat + Hollow Tomb--Misery Cave of the + Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000. + Windy Month--Bloody Moon, + Muddy Night--Twelfth Hour. + +_General Orders No. 1._ + +Make ready! Make ready! Make ready! + +The mighty hobgoblins of the Confederate dead in Hell-a-Bulloo +assembled! + +Revenge, Revenge! + +Be secret, be cautious, be terrible! + +By special grant, Hell freezes over for your passage. Offended ghosts, +put on your skates, and cross over to mother earth! + + Work! Work!! Work!!! + Double, double, toil and trouble; + Fire burn and cauldron bubble. + +Ye white men who stick to black, soulless beasts! the time arrives for +you to part. Q. W. X. W. V. U., and so, from Omega to Alpha. + + Cool it with a baboon's blood + Then the charm is firm and good. + +Ye niggers who stick to low whites! + +Begone, Begone, Begone! The world turns around--the thirteenth hour +approacheth. + +S. one, two, and three--beware! White and yellow. + +J. and T---- P---- and L---- begone.--The handwriting on the wall +warns you! + + From the murderer's gibbet, throw + Into the flame. Come high and low. + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K. + + +KU KLUX. + + Hell-a-Bulloo Hole--Den of Skulls. + Bloody Bones--Headquarters of the + Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000. + Windy Month--New Moon. + Cloudy Night--Thirteenth Hour. + + +_General Orders No. 2._ + + The great chief Simulacre summons you! + Be ready! Crawl slowly! Strike hard! + Fire around the pot! + Sweltered venom, sleeping got + Boil thou first i' the charmed pot! + Like a hell-broth boil and bubble! + The Great High Priest Cyclops! C. J. F. Y. + Varnish, Tar and Turpentine! + The fifth Ghost sounds his Trumpet! + The mighty Genii wants two black wethers! + Make them, make them, make them! Presto! + The Great Giantess must have a white barrow. + Make him, make him, make him! Presto! + +Meet at once--the den of Snakes--the Giants jungle--the hole of Hell! + +The second Hobgoblin will be there, a mighty Ghost of valor! His eyes +of fire, his voice of thunder! Clean the streets--clean the serpents' +dens. + +Red hot pincers! Bastinado!! Cut Clean!!! No more to be born. Fire and +brimstone. + +Leave us, leave us, leave us! One, two, three tonight! Others soon! + +Hell freezes! On with skates--glide on. Twenty from Atlanta. Call the +roll. _Bene dicite!_ The Great Ogre orders it! + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K. + + +KU KLUX. + + Hollow Hell, Devil's Den, Horrible + Shadows. Ghostly Sepulchre. + Head Quarters of the Immortal Ate + of the K. K. K. Gloomy month. Bloody + Moon. Black Night, Last Hour. + +_General Orders No. 3._ + +Shadowed Brotherhood! Murdered heroes! + +Fling the bloody dirt that covers you to the four winds! Erect thy +Goddess on the banks of the Avernus. Mark well your foes! Strike with +the red hot spear! Prepare Charon for his task! + +Enemies reform! The skies shall be blackened! A single Star shall look +down upon horrible deeds! The night owl shall hoot a requiem o'er +Ghostly Corpses! + +Beware! Beware! Beware! + +The Great Cyclops is angry! Hobgoblins report! Shears and lash! Tar +and Feathers! Hell and Fury! + +Revenge! Revenge! Revenge! + +Bad men! white, black, yellow, repent! + +The hour is at hand! Be ye ready! Life is short. J. H. S. Y. W.!!! + +Ghosts! Ghosts!! Ghosts!!! + +Drink thy tea made of distilled hell, stirred with the lightning of +heaven, and sweetened with the gall of thine enemies! + +All will be well!!! + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K.[58] + +[Illustration: + + Prospective scene in the "City of Oaks," 4th of March, 1868. + + + "Hang, curs, hang! * * * * * _Their_ complexion is + perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to _their_ + hanging! * * * * * If they be not born to be hanged, + our case is miserable." + + The above cut represents the fate in store for those great pests + of Southern society--the carpet-bagger and scallawag--if found + in Dixie's Land after the break of day on the 4th of March next. + + The genus carpet-bagger is a man with a lank head of dry hair, a + lank stomach and long legs, club knees and splay feet, dried + legs and lank jaws with eyes like a fish and mouth like a shark. + Add to this a habit of sneaking and dodging about in unknown + places--habiting with negroes in dark dens and back streets--a + look like a hound and the smell of a polecat. + + Words are wanting to do full justice to the genus scallawag. He + is a cur with a contracted head, downward look, slinking and + uneasy gait; sleeps in the woods, like old Crossland, at the + bare idea of a Ku-Klux raid. + + Our scallawag is the local leper of the community. Unlike the + carpet-bagger, he is native, which is so much the worse. Once he + was respected in his circle; his head was level, and he would + look his neighbor in the face. Now, possessed of the itch of + office and the salt rheum of Radicalism, he is a mangy dog, + slinking through the alleys, haunting the Governor's office, + defiling with tobacco juice the steps of the Capitol, stretching + his lazy carcass in the sun on the Square, or the benches of the + Mayor's Court. + + He waiteth for the troubling of the political waters, to the end + that he may step in and be healed of the itch by the ointment of + office. For office he 'bums' as a toper 'bums' for the + satisfying dram. For office, yet in prospective, he hath + bartered respectability; hath abandoned business, and ceased to + labor with his hands, but employs his feet kicking out + boot-heels against lamp post and corner curb, while discussing + the question of office + +THE FATE OF THE CARPETBAGGER AND THE SCALAWAG + +Cartoon by Ryland Randolph in _Independent Monitor_, September 1, +1868.] + + +TO THE PUBLIC + +K. K. K. + +TAKEN BY HABEAS CORPUS. + +In silence and secrecy thought has been working, and the benignant +efficacies of concealment speak for themselves. Once again have we +been forced by force to use _Force_. Justice was lame, and she had to +lean upon us. Information being obtained that a "doubting Thomas," the +inferior of nothing, the superior of nothing, and of consequence the +equal of nothing, who has neither eyes to see the scars of oppression, +nor ears to hear the cause of humanity, even though he wears the +Judicial silk, had ordered some guilty prisoners from Union to the +City of Columbia, and of injustice and prejudice, for an _unfair trial +of life_; thus clutching at the wheel-spokes of destiny--then this +thing was created and projected; otherwise it would never have been. +We yield to the inevitable and inexorable, and account this the +_best_. "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth," is our +motto. + +We want peace, but this cannot be till justice returns. We want and +will have justice, but this cannot be till the bleeding fight of +freedom is fought. Until then the Moloch of Iniquity will have his +victims, even if the Michael of Justice must have his martyrs. + + K. K. K.[59] + + +ANOTHER KU KLUX PROCLAMATION.[60] + +The following document was discovered on yesterday morning posted on +the "legal advertisement" board hanging at the court-house door. We +have examined the original and find it is in the same handwriting as +the one left with the jailer on the night of the late raid on the +jail: + +HEADQUARTERS K. K. K, DEPARTMENT OF S. C., + +_General Orders No. 49._ + +_From the G. G. C., S. S._ + +We delight not in speech, but there is language which, when meant in +earnest, becomes desperate. We raise the voice of warning, beware! +beware! Persons there are, (_and not unknown to us_,) who, to gratify +some private grudge or selfish end, like Wheeler's men, so called, are +executing their low, paltry, and pitiful designs at the expense, not +only of the noble creed we profess and act, but also to the great +trouble and annoyance of their neighbors in various communities. We +stay our hand for once; but if such conduct is frightening away +laborers, robbery, and connivance at the secrets of our organization +is repeated, then the mockers _must_ suffer and the traitors meet +their merited doom. We dare not promise what we do not perform. We +want no substitutes or conscripts in our ranks. We can be as generous +as we are terrible; but, _stand back_. We've said it, and there can be +no interference. + + By order of the Grand Chief, + A.O., + _Grand Secretary._ + + +KU KLUX MANIFESTO.[61] + +Below we publish a document which we received through the postoffice +on Monday last, it having been dropped into the letter box the +previous night, as we are informed by the postmaster. As to whether or +not the paper is genuine, and emanates from the mysterious Ku Klux +Klan, we have no means of knowing, as the handwriting is evidently +disguised. Although it is our rule to decline the publication of all +anonymous communications, we have decided to waive the rule in this +instance, and print the document for what it is worth. Here it is in +full: + + +EXTRACT OF MINUTES. + +ARTICLE 1. Whereas there are malicious and evil disposed persons, who +endeavor to perpetrate their malice, serve notices, and make threats +under the cover of our august name, now we warn all such bogus +organizations that we will not allow of any interference. Stop it. + +ARTICLE 2. There shall be no interference with any honest, decent, +well-behaved person, whether white or black; and we cordially invite +all such to continue at their appropriate labor, and they shall be +protected therein by the whole power of this organization. But we do +intend that the honest, intelligent white people (the tax payers) of +this county shall rule it! We can no longer put up with negro rule, +black bayonets, and a miserably degraded, thievish set of lawmakers, +(God save the mark!) the scum of the earth, the scrapings of creation. +We are pledged to stop it; we are determined to end it, even if we are +"forced by force to use force." + +ARTICLE 3. Our attention having been called to the letter of one Rose, +county treasurer of York, we brand it as a lie! Our lieutenant was +ordered to arrest him, that he might be tried on alleged charges of +incendiarism, (and if convicted he will be executed). But there were +no shots fired at him and no money stolen; that is not in our line, +the legislature of the State of South Carolina have a monopoly in that +line. + + By command of the Chief. + Official: K. K. K., A. A. G. + + +K. K. K.[62] + +HEADQUARTERS; NINTH DIVISION, S.C., + +_Special Orders No. 3, K. K. K._ + +"Ignorance is the curse of God." For this reason we are determined +that the members of the legislature, the school commissioners, and the +county commissioners of Union, shall no longer officiate. Fifteen (15) +days' notice from this date is therefore given and if they, _one and +all_, do not _at once and forever resign_ their present inhuman, +disgraceful, and outrageous rule, then retributive justice will as +surely be used as night follows day. + +Also, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." For this reason, if +the clerk of the said board of county commissioners and school +commissioners does not _immediately_ renounce and relinquish his +present position, then harsher measures than these will most assuredly +and _certainly_ be used. + +For confirmation, reference to the orders heretofore published in the +_Union Weekly Times_ and _Yorkville Enquirer_ will more fully and +completely show our intention. + + A.O., + _Grand Secretary._ + +March 9, 1871. + +[Illustration: + + "Dam Your Soul. The Horrible _Sepulchre_ and Bloody Moon has at + last arrived. Some live to-day to-morrow "_Die._" We the + undersigned understand through our Grand "_Cyclops_" that you + have recommended a big Black Nigger for Male agent on our nu + rode; wel, sir, Jest you understand in time if he gets on the + rode you can make up your mind to pull roape. If you have any + thing to say in regard to the Matter, meet the Grand Cyclops and + Conclave at Den No. 4 at 12 o'clock midnight, Oct. 1st, 1871. + + "When you are in Calera we warn you to hold your tounge and not + speak so much with your mouth or otherwise you will be taken on + supprise and led out by the Klan and learnt to stretch hemp. + Beware. Beware. Beware. Beware. + + (Signed) "PHILLIP ISENBAUM, + "_Grand Cyclops_. + "JOHN BANKSTOWN. + "ESAU DAVES. + "MARCUS THOMAS. + "BLOODY BONES. + +"You know who. And all others of the Klan." + +WARNING SENT BY THE KLAN + +From Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony.] + + +THE OATH.[63] + +I, before the great immaculate God of heaven and earth, do take and +subscribe to the following sacred binding oath and obligation: I +promise and swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of +the United States as it was handed down by our forefathers in its +original purity. I promise and swear that I will reject and oppose the +principles of the radical party in all its forms, and forever maintain +and contend that intelligent white men shall govern this country. I +promise and pledge myself to assist, according to my pecuniary +circumstances, all brothers in distress. Females, widows, and their +households shall ever be specially in my care and protection. I +promise and swear that I will obey all instructions given me by my +chief, and should I ever divulge or cause to be divulged any secrets, +signs or pass-words of the Invisible Empire, I must meet with the +fearful and just penalty of the traitor, which is death, death, death, +at the hands of my brethren.[64] + + * * * * * + +I, T. A. Hope, before the Great Immaculate Judges of Heaven and Earth, +and upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, do, of my own free will +and accord, subscribe to the following sacred, binding obligation: + +I. I am on the side of justice and humanity, and constitutional +liberty as bequeathed to us by our forefathers in its original purity. + +II. I reject and oppose the principles of the radical party. + +III. I pledge aid to a brother of the Ku Klux Klan in sickness, +distress, or pecuniary embarrassments; females, friends, and widows, +and their households shall be the special object of my care and +devoted protection. + +IV. Should I ever divulge, or cause to be divulged, any of the secrets +of this order, or any of the foregoing obligations, I must meet with +the fearful punishment of death and traitor's doom, which is death, +death, death, at the hands of the brethren.[65] + + * * * * * + +I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Invisible +Circle; that I will defend our families, our wives, our children, and +brethren; that I will assist a brother in distress to the best of my +ability; that I will never reveal the secrets of this order or +anything in regard to it that may come to my knowledge, and if I do +may I meet a traitor's doom, which is death, death, death: so help me +God, and so punish me my brethren.[66] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[57] Montgomery Mail, March 23, 1868. + +[58] This and the two preceding orders were written by Ryland Randolph +and printed in his paper _The Independent Monitor_, of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama. + +[59] From the _Weekly Union Times_ of Unionville, S.C., February 17, +1871; South Carolina Testimony, pp. 1003, 1092. The negro militia of +South Carolina had killed a man who refused to sell whisky to them. +Several were arrested and imprisoned. A radical judge named Thomas, in +Columbia, 60 or 70 miles away and out of the district where the crime +was committed, directed that the prisoners be removed to Columbia for +trial. The whites believed that this was done as the first step toward +releasing the criminals. A mob came in, took the men from jail, shot +them and gave to the sheriff the above notice with instructions to +have it published in the newspapers. + +[60] Weekly Union Times, Unionville, S.C., February 24, 1871; Ku Klux +Report, South Carolina Testimony, p. 1004. The Ku Klux Klan had many +imitators, and lawless conduct was often carried on under the +protection of the name and prestige of the Klan. The above warning was +meant for those who had been using the name of the order to cloak evil +deeds. + +[61] _Yorkville Enquirer_, Yorkville, S.C., March 9, 1871; South +Carolina Testimony, p. 1347. Another warning to those engaged in +lawlessness and using the name of the Klan. + +[62] _Union Weekly Times_, March 17, 1871; South Carolina Testimony, +p. 1096. This order illustrates one method of getting rid of obnoxious +officials. + +[63] The oath of Ku Klux Klan was not printed. The three versions here +given were given from memory. The similarity is marked, however. + +[64] Ku Klux Report. North Carolina Testimony. Court Proceedings, p. +422. + +[65] Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony, pp. 399, 400. + +[66] South Carolina Testimony, p. 361. + + + + +INDEX + + +A. + +Abernathy, Dr. C.C., a member of the Klan, 21 + +Admission of members, 147, 170 + +Admonition, 176 + +Alabama, Costumes worn in, 43, 58, 97; + investigation in, 43; + Klan extends to, 70 + +Amendment of Prescript, 147, 173 + +"American Historical Magazine," cited, 39 + +Anderson, Gen. G.T., a member of the Klan, 27 + +Appellation Official, of the Order, 136, 154 + +"Appomattox Program," not carried out, 33 + + +B. + +Badges worn by high officials, 59 + (See also outside cover.) + +Beati Paoli, 25 + +Black Belt, Ku Klux Klan mainly outside of, 23 + +Bowers, Dr. James, a member, 21 + +Brown, Gen. John C., a member, 26 + +Brown, W.G., "The Lower South," cited, 18 + +Brownlow, W.G., Governor of Tennessee, 1865-1868, 125; + his militia a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 29; + proclaims martial law, 128; + has "Force Laws" passed, 113; + his detective drowned by the Klan, 67 + +Brownlow Republicans in Ku Klux disguise, 105 + +Burgess, J.W., "Reconstruction and the Constitution," cited, 113 + + +C. + +Carbonari, 25 + +Carpetbag and negro legislators pass "Force Laws", 113 + +Carpetbag rule a cause of the Ku Klux Movement,. 29, 31, 32, 35 + +Carter, Dr. Benjamin, a member, 61 + +Cartoon from the "Independent Monitor," 42, 192; + from the "Loil Legislature", 43, 113 + +Causes of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 28, 31, 50, 75-81 + (See also Ku Klux Klan.) + +Centaurs, Grand Council of, 144 + +"Century Magazine," cited, 53, 84 + +Certificate of Laps D. McCord, 38 + +"Cincinnati Commercial," prints the Randolph cartoons, 43, 192 + +"Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," by W.L. Fleming, + cited, 49, 79, 113 + +Character and objects of Ku Klux Klan, 155 + +Clanton, Gen. James H., 33 + +Cloud, Dr. N.B., driven from Tuscaloosa by the Klan, 42; + see cartoon facing page, 192 + +Colquitt, Gen. A.H. Colquitt, a member, 27 + +Conditions in the South, 75, 76 + +Confederates disfranchised, 88 + +Confréries, 25 + +Congress investigates Ku Klux Klan, 27, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131; + passes "Force Laws", 113 + +Constitutions, see Prescript. + +Constitutional Union Guards, 18 + +Convention of Ku Klux Klan, 36, 37, 84, 133 + +Coon and Sibley, carpetbaggers, cartoon of, 43, and facing, 113 + +Costumes worn in the Klan, 43, 58, 59, 97 + +Council of Centaurs, 144; of Yahoos, 144 + +Cox, S.S., "Three Decades," quotation from. 11 + +Crawford, F.M., a member, 21 + +Creed of the Klan, 136, 154 + +Crowe, Major James R., one of the founders of the Klan, 19; + first Grand Turk, 21; + statement in regard to origin of the Pulaski Den, 22; + one of committee to prepare a constitution and a ritual, 54 + +Cutler, "Lynch Law," cited, 15 + +Cyclops, Grand, an official of the Klan, 57; + ruler of a Den, 86; + duties, 140, 161; + election of, 143; + appointment of, 160; + in a local order, 179 + +Cypher Code, 148, 176 + (See also Register.) + + +D. + +Decline of the Klan, 100-127; + causes of, 103 + +Dedication of Prescript, 150, 176 + +Den, the lowest division of the Order, 85, 136, 157; + at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19-21, 53 + +Disbandment of the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130 + +Divisions of the Invisible Empire of Ku Klux Klan, 156 + +"Documents Relating to Reconstruction," cited, 18, 79 + +Dominions or Congressional Districts, 85, 136, 156 + +Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon, 147 + +Dragon, Grand, ruler of a Realm, 86; + duties, 138, 158; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 157 + +Duties of officials, 136-143, 157-165 + + +E. + +Edicts, or By-laws of the Order, 148, 174 + +Empire, The, 136, 156 + +Ensign, Grand, duties, 143 + +Ensign or banner of the Ku Klux Klan, 147 + +Exchequer, Grand, or treasurer, 57, 86; + duties, 142, 163; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 157-161 + +Expansion of the Klan's territory, 68-82, 156 + +Expulsion of members, 149, 174 + + +F. + +Fleming, W.L., "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," + cited, 49, 79, 113 + +Flying Dragon, 147 + +"Force Laws," effect on Klan, 125, 126 + +Forrest, Gen. Nathan Bedford, Grand Wizard, 26, 27, 28; + testimony before Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 28-30, 80; + his estimate of the number of members, 95; + his opinion of the character of members, 65; + belongs to the order of Pale Faces, 30; + disbands the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130 + +Founders of the Klan, 19 + +Furies, the staff of the Grand Titan, 86, 136, 156, 159, 164 + +Fussell, Col. Joseph, a member, 27 + + +G. + +Garner, J.W., "Reconstruction in Mississippi," cited, 49 + +Garrett, Dr. W.R., makes plates used on pages 153-176 40 + +Genii, the staff of the Grand Wizard, 85, 136, 155, 157 164 + +Georgia, candidates in Georgia, 31 + +Ghouls, private members, 136, 156; + elect officials 143, 165 + +Giant, Grand, ruler of a Province, duties, 139, 160; + how elected, 143; + appointed 159 + +Giles County, Tennessee 50 + +Goblins, 136, 156, 160, 164 + +Gordon, Gen. John B., 26, 27, 33; + testimony before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 30-33, 80, 105 + +Grand Army of the Republic 171 + +Grant, Gen. U.S., magnanimity of, 33 + + +H. + +Hanging picture, cartoon by Ryland Randolph, 42, 192; + republished in the North 192 + +Hardee, Gen. W.J., a member, 26 + +"Histoire Générale," by Lavisse & Rambaud, cited 25 + +Huntsville, Alabama, parade of Klan in, 44 + +Hydras, the staff of the Grand Dragon, 86, 136, 156, 158 164 + + +I. + +"Independent Monitor," cited 26, 41, 192 + +Initiations into the Pulaski Den, 60, 63, 64 + +Interrogations to be asked candidates for admission, 171 + +Investigation of Ku Klux Klan, by Congress, 26, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131; + by Alabama, 43 + +Invisible Circle 198 + +Invisible Empire, 47, 85, 101 + + +J. + +Jones, Calvin, one of the founders, 20, 21; + on committee to choose a name for the order, 53; + Charles P., a member, 21; + Miss Cora R., daughter of Charles P., and niece of Calvin, article + in "Advance," cited, 61, 92; + Judge Thomas M., father of Calvin and Charles P., 20, 53 + +Judiciary of the Klan, 27, 144, 166 + + +K. + +Kennedy, John, one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 21; + on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54 + +Kirk, John H., aided in printing the Prescript, 38 + +Klephts, 25 + +Knights of the White Camelia, 18, 23 + +Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 27 + +Ku Klux Klan, causes of, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 47-67, 75-81; + founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19, 21, 51, 53; + headquarters at Pulaski, 51; + initiations at Pulaski, 61-64; + original object, 59; + selection of name, 22, 53, 55; + costumes worn, 43, 58, 59, 97; + expansion, 68-82; + transformation, 71, 83-99; + reorganized, 84-99; + territorial extent, 23, 24, 85, 136, 156; + Prescripts, 37, 39, 133-150, 151-176; + officers and their duties, 85-86, 136; + oaths and obligations, 171, 172, 197, 198; + parades, 44, 91; + character and objects, 28, 31, 109-111, 155, 171-172; + creed, 136, 154; + declaration of principles, 87; + edicts, 148, 174; + admission of members, 147, 170; + character and conduct of members, 30, 34, 101, 102; + numbers, 30, 95; + secrets, 48, 148, 174; + revenue, 145, 168; + judiciary, 27, 144, 166; + convention at Nashville, 36, 37; + methods, 71-75, 91, 96-99, 183-196; + orders and warnings, 40, 130, 187-198; + disciplines its members, 106; outrages, 131; + decline and disbandment, 35, 100-127, 128-130; + regalia destroyed, 129; + investigation by Congress, 27, 28, 30, 43, 47, 48, 49, 131; + effect of "force laws;" popular idea of the Klan, 49; + results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35, 73, 80, 81; + other secret orders, 18 + +Ku Klux Klan, Lester and Wilson's History of, 15-19, 35, 37, 47 + +Ku Klux Movement, 25 + +Ku Klux Report, cited, 18, 27, 28, 33, 49, 52, 65, 80, 196, 197, 198 + + +L. + +Lakin, Rev. A.S., president of University of Alabama, driven away by + the Klan, 42; + see cartoon, 192 + +Lavisse and Rambaud, "Histoire Générale," cited, 25 + +Lawton, Gen. A.R., a member, 27 + +Lester, Capt. J. C, one of the founders of the Klan and one of the + authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan, 15, 16, 17, 19; + on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54 + +Lictor, an official title, 57 + +"Loil Legislature," by Capt. B.H. Screws, cartoon from, 43, 113 + +"Lower South," by W.G. Brown, cited, 18 + +Loyal League, 79, 125, 171 + (See also Union League.) + +"Loyalty," meaning of, 125 + +"Lynch Law," by Cutler, cited, 15 + + +M. + +McCallum, James, a member, 21 + +McCoy, Capt. Thomas, a member, 21 + +McCord, Frank O., one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 37; + first Grand Cyclops, 21; + Laps D., prints the Prescripts, 38; + L.W., editor of the "Pulaski Citizen," a Ku Klux newspaper, 38 + +McKissick, Alex., a member, 21 + +Magi, Grand, 57; + duties, 141, 162; + how elected, 143, 165 + +Martial law proclaimed in Tennessee, 128 + +Masonic order, 25 + +Members, admission of, 102, 147, 170; + expulsion, 149, 174; + none ever arrested, 106 + +Methods employed by the Klan, 91, 96, 97, 187-196 + +Militia law of Tennessee, 124 + +Mississippi, Klan extends to, 70; + costumes worn in, 43, 58 + +Minnis, J.A., testimony, 80 + +Mitchell, Capt. Robert, a member, 21 + +Monk, Grand, 86; + duties, 141, 163; + how elected, 143, 165 + +"Montgomery Mail," cited, 189 + +Moore, John A., a member, 21 + +Morton, Capt. John W., a member, 21, 26; + initiates General Forrest, 27 + +Motto, on ensign, 147 + + +N. + +Name of the order, selection of, 53, 55; + influence of name on the career of the order, 55, 56, 136, 154 + +Nashville Convention of the Klan, 84, 89; + adopts Prescript, 33 + +Nashville Den drowns a detective, 67 + +Negro equality, Klan opposed to, 171 + +Negro members of the Klan, 26 + +Negro troops, conduct of, 32 + +Negroes, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 31, 32; + conduct of, 77; + frightened by Klan, 97-99 + +Nelson, J.L., a member, 21 + +Newspapers forbidden to print Ku Klux notices, 41, 130 + +Night Hawks, the staff of a Cyclops, 86, 136, 156, 161, 164 + +Nihilists, 25 + +North Carolina, a local order in, 177-186 + +Number of members, 30, 95 + + +O. + +Oaths and obligations, 146, 147, 171, 172, 197, 198 + +Officials of the Klan, duties, 85, 86; + how elected, 143, 165 + +Order issued by the Grand Dragon of Tennessee, 109-111 + +Orders and warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 41, 187-196 + +Origin of Ku Klux Klan, 47-67 + +Outrages attributed to the Klan, 105 + + +P. + +Pale Faces, 18; + Gen. Forrest a member of, 30 + +Parades of the Klan, 44, 91-95 + +Pearcy, Capt. J.L., a member, 21; + owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40 + +Penalty for betrayal of secrets, 149, 176 + +Pettus, Gen. Edmund W, 33, 80 + +Pike, Gen. Albert, chief judicial officer, 27 + +Principles of the Klan, 87, 88, 171, 182 + +Province, or county, 85, 136, 156 + +Pulaski, Tennessee, description of, 50; + conditions in 1865, 52; + Ku Klux Klan founded there, 16, 53; + Ku Klux parade, 91-95 + +Pulaski Den, origin and membership, 19-21, 53, 57, 61 + +Prescripts, 16, 30, 36, 87, 88; + original, adopted at Nashville Convention, 37, 40, 133-150; + Revised and Amended, 37, 38, 40, 151-176; + an imperfect copy used by a local order, 39, 177-186; + sold by Grand Wizard, 137, 145, 157, 169; + dedication, 150, 176; + Amendment, 147, 173; + Register, 148, 176 + +Purpose of the original Den, 22 + + +Q. + +Quotations, poetical, in original Prescript, 135; + Latin, in the Prescripts, _passim_, 133-176 + + +R. + +Radical Republican party, 171 + +Radicals in Ku Klux disguise, 105 + +Randolph, Ryland, 26, 40; + quoted, 99, 104; + author of orders and warnings, 41, 190-192; + publishes cartoon of Coon and Sibley, 43, 113 + +Realm, or state, 85, 136, 156 + +Reconstruction Acts, 71, 84 + +"Reconstruction of the Constitution," by J.W. Burgess, cited, 113 + +"Reconstruction in Mississippi," by J.W. Garner, cited, 49 + +Reed, Richard R., one of the founders, 20, 21; + on committee to choose a name for the order, 53 + +Regalia and records of Klan destroyed, 129 + +Register of the Prescript, 41, 148, 176 + +Regulators, 71, 73, 106 + +Results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35 + +Revenue of the Klan, 145, 168 + +Revised and Amended Prescript, 38, 151-176 + +Ritual of Pulaski Den, 54, 57 + +Rose, W.H., a member, 21 + + +S. + +Saunders, "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96 + +Scotch-Irish descent of the members of the Klan, 21, 23 + +Screws, Capt. B.H., "Loil Legislature," cartoon from, 43, 113 + +Scribe, of a local order, 179 + +Scribe, Grand, 86; + duties, 142, 164 + +Secrets of the Klan, 148, 174; + penalty for betrayal of, 149, 176 + +Sentinel, Grand, 86; + duties, 143, 164 + +Shapard, I.L. and Robt., members, 21, 38 + +Sibley and Coon, carpetbaggers, 43, 113 + +South Carolina, local order in, 177-186; + warnings sent by Klan in, 193-196 + +Southern Society of New York, owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40 + +Spofford, Judge H.M., residence used by Klan 54 + +Staff officers, 86, 164 + +State Guards of Tennessee, 123 + +Stubbs, Mrs. Elizabeth, in "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96 + + +T. + +Taxes levied in Klan, 145, 169 + +Tennessee, conditions in, 17, 29; + the Klan in 51, 70, 95; + Confederates disfranchised, 88; + State Guards, 123; Militia law, 124; + order of a Grand Dragon, 109-111; + Anti-Ku Klux law, 113-123 + +Term of office, 144, 165 + +Texas, Klan extends to, 70 + +"Three Decades," by S.S. Cox, quoted, 11 + +Titan, Grand, ruler of a Dominion, 86; + duties, 138, 159; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 158 + +Titles of officials, 136, 155 + +Tories, 24, 77 + +Tourgee, "Invisible Empire," cited, 18 + +Transformation of the Klan, 71, 83-99 + +Tribunal of Justice, 166 + +Tugenbund, 25 + +Turk, Grand, 57, 86; + duties, 142, 163; + office first held by Major J.R. Crowe, 21 + +Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Klan at, 42 + + +U. + +"Understanding of Appomattox," violated, 34 + +Union League, a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 29, 31, 79-81, 125 + +Unionists, 24, 26, 77 + +University of Alabama, 42 + + +V. + +Vehmgericht, 25 + +Voorheis, Milton, a member, 21 + + +W. + +Warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 43, 196 + +"Washington Post," cited, 67, 95 + +Waters, Dr. M.S., a member, 21 + +Webster's "Unabridged Pictorial," cited, 147 + +"Weekly Union Times," cited, 193, 194, 196 + +White Brotherhood, 18 + +White Camelia, 18 + +White League, 18 + +"White Man's Government", 171 + +Wilson, Rev. D.L., one of the authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan + 15, 16, 17, 19; + article in "Century Magazine" cited, 53, 84 + +Wizard, Grand, 85; + duties, 136, 157; + how elected, 143, 165, 166; + term of office, 144, 165; + disbands the Klan, 128-130 + + +Y. + +Yahoos, Grand Council of, 144 + +"Yorkville Enquirer," cited, 195 + +Young Italy, 25 + + + * * * * * + +Compiled versions of Appendix I and Appendix II + + * * * * * + + + +APPENDIX I. + + + PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + + ADOPTED AT A CONVENTION OF THE ORDER + HELD IN NASHVILLE, APRIL, 1867 + + Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page + for page. The type used here is slightly larger than + in the original document. + + + + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +* * + + What may this mean, + That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, + Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, + Making night hideous; and we fools of nature, + So horridly to shake our disposition, + With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? + + + An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin', + A certain _Ghoul_ is rantin', drinkin', + Some luckless night will send him linkin', + To your black pit; + But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin', + And cheat you yet. + + +CREED. + +We the * * reverently acknowledge the Majesty and Supremacy of the +Divine being, and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the Same. + +PREAMBLE. + +We recognize our relations to the United States Government and +acknowledge the supremacy of its laws. + +APPELLATION. + +ARTICLE I. This organization shall be styled and denominated the * * + +TITLES. + +ART. II. The officers of this * shall consist of a Grand Wizard of the +Empire and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight +Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies; a Grand +Giant of the Province and his four Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den +and his two Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand +Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand +Ensign. + +SEC. 2. The body politic of this * shall be designated and known as +"Ghouls." + +DIVISIONS. + +ART. III. This * shall be divided into five departments, all combined, +constituting the Grand * of the Empire. The second department to be +called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the Grand * of the +Dominion. The fourth, the Grand * of the Province. The fifth, the * of +the Den. + +DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + +GRAND WIZARD. + +ART. IV. SEC. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand Wizard, who is the +Supreme Officer of the Empire to communicate with and receive reports +from the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, strength, +efficiency and progress of the *s within their respective Realms. And +he shall communicate from time to time, to all subordinates *s, +through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength, efficiency, and +progress of the *s throughout his vast Empire; and such other +information as he may deem expedient to impart. And it shall further +be his duty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without any +caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons of the different +Realms of his Empire, and shall number such Realms with the Arabic +numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct his Grand +Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement which he shall make +of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have the +sole power to issue copies of this Prescript, through his Subalterns +and Deputies, for the organization and establishment of subordinate +*s. And he shall have the further power to appoint his Genii; also, a +Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint +and ordain Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the more +rapid and effectual dissemination and establishment of the * +throughout his Empire. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct +Deputies, to organize and control Realms, Dominions, Provinces, and +Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a +Grand Giant, and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter providded. +And when a question of paramount importance to the interest or +prosperity of the * arises, not provided for in this Prescript, he +shall have power to determine such question, and his decision shall be +final, until the same shall be provided for by amendment as +hereinafter provided. + +GRAND DRAGON. + +Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon who is the Chief +Officer of the Realm, to report to the Grand Wizard when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +* within his Realm, and to transmit through the Grand Titan to the +subordinate *s of his Realm, all information or intelligence conveyed +to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such other +information or instruction as he may think will promote the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +any caption) of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of his +Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard when required; +and shall number the Dominions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, +1, 2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand Exchequer as to +the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue of the * that comes +to his hands. He shall have the power to appoint his Hydras; also, a +Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint +and ordain Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the more +rapid and effectual dissemination and establishment of the * +throughout his Realm. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct +Deputies to organize and control Dominions, Provinces and Dens, until +the same shall elect a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, +in the manner hereinafter provided. + +GRAND TITAN. + +Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan who is the Chief +Officer of the Dominion, to report to the Grand Dragon when required +by that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of +the * within his Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giants to +the subordinate *s of his Dominion, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and all such +other information or instruction as he may think will enhance the +interests of the *. He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the +names (without caption) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and he shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct and +direct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have power to +appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand Scribe and a Grand +Exchequer for his department, and appoint and ordain Special Deputy +Grand Titans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his Dominion. He +shall have further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to organize +and control Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand +Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provided. + +GRAND GIANT. + +Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, who is the Chief +Officer of the Province, to supervise and administer general and +special instruction in the formation and establishment of *s within +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, progress and efficiency of the * +throughout his Province, and to transmit, through the Grand Cyclops, +to the subordinate *s of his Province, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such other +information and instruction as he may think will advance the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +caption) of the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Province, and +shall report the same to the Grand Titan when required; and shall +number the Dens of his Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, +&c., _ad finem._ And shall determine and limit the number of Dens to +be organized in his Province. And he shall instruct and direct his +Grand Exchequer as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall +make of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have +power to appoint his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand +Exchequer for his department, and to appoint and ordain Special Deputy +Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid and effectual +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his Province. He +shall have the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to +organize and control Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Cyclops +in the manner hereinafter provided. And in all cases, he shall preside +at and conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos. + +GRAND CYCLOPS. + +Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops to take charge of +the * of his Den after his election, under the direction and with the +assistance (when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance +with, and in conformity to the provisions of this Prescript, a copy of +which shall in all cases be obtained before the formation of a * +begins. It shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings +of his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregular meetings +when he deems it expedient, to preserve order in his Den, and to +impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders, and to +receive and initiate candidates for admission into the * after the +same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy come members by +the Investigating Committee. He shall make a quarterly report to the +Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and efficiency of the * of his +Den, and shall convey to the Ghouls of his Den, all information or +intelligence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that purpose, and +all other such information or instruction as he may think will conduce +to the interests and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and conduct +the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have power to appoint his +Night Hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and +his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and direct the Grand Exchequer +of his Den, as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall make of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. And for any small +offense he may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for +the same: And he may admonish and reprimand the * of his Den for any +imprudence, irregularity or transgression, when he is convinced or +advised that the interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it. + +GRAND MAGI. + +Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the Second +Officer, in Authority, of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops and to +obey all the proper orders of that officer. To preside at all meetings +in the Den in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to exercise during +his absence all the powers and authority conferred upon that officer. + +GRAND MONK. + +Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the third +officer, in authority, of the Den, to assist and obey all the proper +orders of the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence of +both of these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings +in the Den, and shall exercise all the powers and authority conferred +upon the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND EXCHEQUER. + +Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the different +Departments of the * to keep a correct account of all the revenue of +the * that shall come to their hands, and shall make no appropriation +or disbursement of the same except under the orders and direction of +the chief officer of their respective departments. And it shall +further be the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect the +initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND TURK. + +Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the Executive +Officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the ghouls of the Den of all +informal or irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops and to +obey and execute all the lawful orders of that officer in the control +and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to receive and +question at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into the *, +and shall _there_ administer the preliminary obligation required, and +then to conduct such candidate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at +his Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. And it shall +further be his duty to act as the executive officer of the Grand +Council of Centaurs. + +GRAND SCRIBE. + +Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the different +departments to conduct the correspondence and write the orders of the +chiefs of their departments, when required. And it shall further be +the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep a list of the names +(without caption) of the ghouls of the Den--to call the Roll at all +regular meetings and to make the quarterly report under the direction +of the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND SENTINEL. + +Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to detail, take +charge of, post and instruct the Grand Guard under the direction and +orders of the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when +directed by that officer. + +GRAND ENSIGN. + +Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign to take charge of +the Grand Banner of the *, to preserve it sacredly, and protect it +carefully, and to bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and +on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may direct it to be flung +to the night breeze. + +ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + +ART. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, the Grand Monk, and +the Grand Exchequer of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the +ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these officers may take +place as soon as seven ghouls have been initiated for that purpose. + +Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the Grand Dragons of Realms, +the Grand Titans of Dominions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, +shall be elected biennially, and in the following manner, to wit: The +Grand Wizard by a majority vote of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, +the Grand Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his Realm; the +Grand Titans by a like vote of the Grand Giants of his Dominion, and +the Grand Giant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Province. + +The first election for Grand Dragon may take place as soon as three +Dominions have been organized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections +shall be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, throughout the Realm, +and biennially as aforesaid. + +The first election for Grand Titan may take place as soon as three +Provinces have been organized in a Dominion, but all subsequent +elections shall be by a majority vote of all the Grand Giants +throughout the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid. + +The first election for Grand Giant may take place as soon as three +Dens have been organized in a Province, but all subsequent elections +shall be by a majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout the +Province, and biennially as aforesaid. + +The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby created, to serve three years +from the First Monday in May, 1867, after the expiration of which +time, biennial elections shall be held for that office as aforesaid. +And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons, at +least six months before said election, at what time and place the same +will be held. + +JUDICIARY. + +ART. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this * shall consist of a +Grand Council of Yahoos, and a Grand Council of Centaurs. + +Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of all elected officers, and shall be composed of officers of +equal rank with the accused, and shall be appointed and presided over +by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by him to administer +even handed justice. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, +shall be composed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and shall be +presided over and sworn by the senior Grand Dragon. They shall have +power to summon the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and if +found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the same. +And they shall have power to appoint an executive officer to attend +said Council while in session. + +Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of Ghouls and non-elective officers, and shall be composed of +six judges appointed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den, +presided over and sworn by him to give the accused a fair and +impartial trial. They shall have power to summon the accused, and +witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty they shall +prescribe the penalty and execute the same. Said Judges shall be +selected by the Grand Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, +integrity and fair-mindedness, and shall render their verdict without +prejudice or partiality. + +REVENUE. + +ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall be derived as follows: +For every copy of this Prescript issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars +will be required. Two dollars of which shall go into the hands of the +Grand Exchequer of the Grand Giant; two into the hands of the Grand +Exchequer of the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand +Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining four into the hands +of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Wizard. + +Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when +the Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent. +of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the +Grand Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when +the Grand Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten per +cent. on all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon the Dens, when the +Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be the initiation fees, +fines, and a _per capita_ tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem +such tax indispensable to the interests and purposes of the *. + +Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the manner herein aforesaid, +shall be for the exclusive benefit of the *. And shall be appropriated +to the dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a fund to +meet any disbursement that it may become necessary to make to +accomplish the objects of the *, and to secure the protection of the +same. + +OBLIGATION. + +ART. VIII. No one shall become a member of this *, unless he shall +take the following oath or obligation: + +"I, ---- of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of +Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal to +any one, not a member of the * * by any intimation, sign, symbol, word +or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets, signs, +grips, pass words, mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am a +member of the same or that I know any one who _is_ a member, and that +I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of the * *. So help me God." + +Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be administered before the +candidate for admission is taken to the Grand Cyclops for examination, +shall be as follows: + +"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing that +I may this day (or night) learn concerning the * *. So help me God." + +ADMISSION. + +ART. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for admission into this *, +until he shall have been recommended by some friend or intimate, who +is a member, to the Investigating Committee, which shall be composed +of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall +investigate his antecedents and his past and present standing and +connections, and if after such investigation, they pronounce him +competent and worthy to become a member, he may be admitted upon +taking the obligation required and passing through the ceremonies of +initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be admitted into this * who +shall have not attained the age of eighteen years. + +Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a distant * when there is a * +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor shall +any one become a member of any * after he shall have been rejected by +any other *. + +ENSIGN. + +ART. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be in the form of an +isosceles triangle, five feet long and three wide at the staff. The +material shall be Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three +inches in width. There shall be painted upon it, in black, a +Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55a] with the following motto inscribed +above the Dragon, + +"QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS.[56a]" + +AMENDMENTS. + +ART. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof, shall never be +changed except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the +Realms, in Convention assembled, and at which Convention the Grand +Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the +application of a majority of the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the +Grand Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said Convention; +which, when assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and +amendments as it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the +utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the *. + +INTERDICTION. + +ART. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and ritual of this * shall +never be written, but the same shall be communicated orally. + +REGISTER. + + 1st--Dismal. 7th--Dreadful. + 2nd--Dark. 8th--Terrible. + 3rd--Furious. 9th--Horrible. + 4th--Portentous. 10th--Melancholy. + 5th--Wonderful. 11th--Mournful. + 6th--Alarming. 12th--Dying. + +II. + + I--White. IV--Black + II--Green. V--Yellow + III--Blue. VI--Crimson + VII--Purple + +III. + + 1--Fearful. 7--Doleful. + 2--Startling. 8--Sorrowful. + 3--Awful. 9--Hideous. + 4--Woeful. 10--Frightful. + 5--Horrid. 11--Appalling. + 6--Bloody. 12--Last. + +EDICTS. + +I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one dollar, to be paid when +the candidate is initiated and received into the *. + +II. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the *. Nor shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting +when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in such a +condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor more +than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the *. + +III. Any member may be expelled from the * by a majority vote of the +officers and ghouls of the Den to which he belongs, and if after such +expulsion such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia or +insignia of the * or in any way claim to be a member of the same, he +shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation +made by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same +manner as if he were then a member. + +IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to the * of his Den, at least once in every three +months,--And shall read them to each new member when he is initiated, +or present the same to him for personal perusal. + +V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand Banner of the *. + +VI. The *s of Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control +and government as they shall deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, +No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or +Edicts of this Prescript. + +VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, concerning any and +everything that relates to the * shall at all times be maintained. + +VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets or purposes of +this * shall suffer the extreme penalty of the Law. + + Hush, thou art not to utter what + I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant. + I said that I would see thee once again. + +L' ENVOI. + +To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate +the * * + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55a] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial. + +[56a] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be true." + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + +ADOPTED IN 1868 (?) + +REVISED AND AMENDED + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +ORDER + +OF THE + + * +* * + + +_Damnant quod non intelligunt._ + + + + +APPELLATION. + +This Organization shall be styled and denominated, the Order of the * +* *. + +CREED. + +We, the Order of the * * *, reverentially acknowledge the majesty and +supremacy of the Divine Being, and recognize the goodness and +providence of the same. And we recognize our relation to the United +States Government, the supremacy of the Constitution, the +Constitutional Laws thereof, and the Union of States thereunder. + +CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. + +This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, Mercy, and Patriotism; +embodying in its genius and its principles all that is chivalric in +conduct, noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and patriotic in +purpose; its peculiar objects being + +First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from +the indignities, wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and +the brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to succor the +suffering and unfortunate, and especially the widows and orphans of +Confederate soldiers. + +Second: To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, +and all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States +and the people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. + +Third: To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land. + +ARTICLE I. + +TITLES. + +SECTION 1. The officers of this Order shall consist of a Grand Wizard +of the Empire, and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm, and his +eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion, and his six Furies; a +Grand Giant of the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of +the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand +Scribe, a Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand Sentinel. + +SEC. 2. The body politic of this Order shall be known and designated +as "Ghouls." + +ARTICLE II. + +TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS. + +SECTION 1. The territory embraced within the jurisdiction of this +Order shall he coterminous with the States of Maryland, Virginia, +North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, +Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and +Tennessee; all combined constituting the Empire. + +SEC. 2. The Empire shall be divided into four departments, the first +to be styled the Realm, and coterminus with the boundaries of the +several States; the second to be styled the Dominion, and to be +coterminous with such counties as the Grand Dragons of the several +Realms may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan. The third to be +styled the Province, and to be coterminous with the several counties; +_provided_, the Grand Titan may, when he deems it necessary, assign +two Grand Giants to one Province, prescribing, at the same time, the +jurisdiction of each. The fourth department to be styled the Den, and +shall embrace such part of a Province as the Grand Giant shall assign +to the charge of a Grand Cyclops. + +ARTICLE III. + +POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + +GRAND WIZARD. + +SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard, who is the supreme officer of the Empire, +shall have power, and he shall be required to, appoint Grand Dragons +for the different Realms of the Empire; and he shall have power to +appoint his Genii, also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer for his +Department, and he shall have the sole power to issue copies of this +Prescript, through his subalterns, for the organization and +dissemination of the Order; and when a question of paramount +importance to the interests or prosperity of the Order arises, not +provided for in this Prescript, he shall have power to determine such +question, and his decision shall be final until the same shall be +provided for by amendment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his +duty to communicate with, and receive reports from, the Grand Dragons +of Realms, as to the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of +the Order within their respective Realms. And, it shall further be his +duty to keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without any +caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons, of the +different Realms of the Empire, and shall number such Realms with the +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_; and he shall direct and +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement +he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND DRAGON. + +SEC. 2. The Grand Dragon, who is the chief officer of the Realm, shall +have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand +Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such Dominion not to exceed +three in number for any Congressional District) said appointments +being subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of the Empire. He +shall have power to appoint his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a +Grand Exchequer for his Department. + +It shall be his duty to report to the Grand Wizard, when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +Order within his Realm, and to transmit, through the Grand Titan, or +other authorized sources, to the Order, all information, intelligence, +or instruction conveyed to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, +and all such other information or instruction as he may think will +promote the interest and utility of the Order. He shall keep by his +Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without caption) of the Grand +Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm, and shall report the +same to the Grand Wizard when required, and shall number the Dominion +of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And +he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the +appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the +Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND TITAN. + +SEC. 3. The Grand Titan, who is the chief officer of the Dominion, +shall have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and instruct a +Grand Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such appointments, +however, being subject to the approval of the Grand Dragon of the +Realm. He shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department. It shall be his duty +to report to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, the +condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order within his +Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giant, or other authorized +channels, to the Order, all information, intelligence, instruction or +directions conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and +all such other information or instruction as he may think will enhance +the interest or efficiency of the Order. + +He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without +caption or explanation) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he shall direct and +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement +he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND GIANT. + +SEC. 4. The Grand Giant, who is the chief officer of the Province, +shall have power, and he is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand +Cyclops for each Den of his Province, such ap-pointments, however, +being subject to the approval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion. And +he shall have the further power to appoint his Goblins; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department. + +It shall be his duty to supervise and administer general and special +instructions in the organization and establishment of the Order within +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +Order within his Province, and to transmit through the Grand Cyclops, +or other legitimate sources, to the Order, all information, +intelligence, instruction, or directions conveyed to him by the Grand +Titan or other higher authority for that purpose, and all such other +information or instruction as he may think would advance the purposes +or prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list +of the names (without caption or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of +the various Dens of his Province, and shall report the same to the +Grand Titan when required; and shall number the Dens of his Province +with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. He shall determine +and limit the number of Dens to be organized and established in his +Province; and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to +the appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the +Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND CYCLOPS. + +SEC. 5. The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief officer of the Den, shall +have power to appoint his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand +Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sentinel. And for small +offenses he may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for +the same. And he is further empowered to admonish and reprimand his +Den, or any of the members thereof, for any imprudence, irregularity, +or transgression, whenever he may think that the interests, welfare, +reputation or safety of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to +take charge of his Den under the instruction and with the assistance +(when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in +conformity to the provisions of this Prescript--a copy of which shall +in all cases be obtained before the formation of a Den begins. It +shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of his Den, +and to preside at the same; to appoint irregular meetings when he +deems it expedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline in his +Den; to impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders; and +to receive and initiate candidates for admission into the Order, after +the same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy to become +members, by the Investigating Committee herein after provided for. And +it shall further be his duty to make a quarterly report to the Grand +Giant of the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, +and shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of his Den, all +information, intelligence, instruction, or direction, conveyed to him +by the Grand Giant or other higher authority for that purpose; and +shall from time to time administer all such other counsel, instruction +or direction, as in his sound discretion, will conduce to the +interests, and more effectually accomplish, the real objects and +designs of the Order. + +GRAND MAGI. + +SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the second +officer in authority of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to +obey all the orders of that officer; to preside at all meetings in the +Den, in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to discharge during his +absence all the duties and exercise all the powers and authority of +that officer. + +GRAND MONK. + +SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the third +officer in authority of the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of +the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in the absence of both of +these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings in the +Den, and shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the powers +and authority of the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND EXCHEQUER. + +SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the different +Departments to keep a correct account of all the revenue of the Order +that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by them; and shall make +no appropriation or disbursement of the same except under the orders +and direction of the chief officer of their respective Departments. +And it shall further be the duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect +the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand Cyclops, or +the officer discharging his functions. + +GRAND TURK. + +SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the executive +officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the +Den, of all informal or irregular meetings appointed by the Grand +Cyclops, and to obey and execute all the orders of that officer in the +control and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to +receive and question at the outposts, all candidates for admission +into the Order, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary +obligation required, and then to conduct such candidate or candidates +to the Grand Cyclops, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. + +GRAND SCRIBE. + +SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the different +Departments to conduct the correspondence and write the orders of the +Chiefs of their Departments, when required. And it shall further be +the duty of the Grand Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names +(without any caption or explanation whatever) of the Officers and +Ghouls of the Den, to call the roll at all meetings, and to make the +quarterly reports under the direction and instruction of the Grand +Cyclops. + +GRAND SENTINEL. + +SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to take charge of +post, and instruct the Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of +the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when directed +by that officer. + +THE STAFF. + +SEC. 12. The Genii shall constitute the staff of the Grand Wizard; the +Hydras, that of the Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand Titan; +the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant; and the Night-hawks, that of the +Grand Cyclops, + +REMOVAL. + +SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and substantial cause, any appointee +may be removed by the authority that appointed him, and his place +supplied by another appointment. + +ARTICLE IV + +ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + +SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard shall be elected biennially by the Grand +Dragons of Realms. The first election for this office to take place on +the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard having been created, by +the original Prescript, to serve three years from the 1st Monday in +May, 1867); all subsequent elections to take place every two years +thereafter. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand +Dragons of the different Realms, at least six months before said +election, at what time and place the same will be held; a majority +vote of all the Grand Dragons _present_ being necessary and sufficient +to elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be by ballot, and shall +be held by three Commissioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that +purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand Wizard shall have the +casting-vote. + +SEC. 2. The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk of Dens shall be elected +annually by the Ghouls of Dens; and the first election for these +officers may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been initiated for +the formation of a Den. All subsequent elections to take place every +year thereafter. + +SEC. 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Grand Wizard, by +death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of +the Empire shall immediately assume and enter upon the discharge of +the duties of the Grand Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and +perform the duties of said office until the same shall be filled by +election; and the said senior Grand Dragon, as soon as practicable +after the happening of such vacancy, shall call a convention of the +Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at such time and place as in his +discretion he may deem most convenient and proper. _Provided_, +however, that the time for assembling such Convention for the election +of a Grand Wizard shall in no case exceed six months from the time +such vacancy occurred; and in the event of a vacancy in any other +office, the same shall immediately be filled in the manner herein +before mentioned. + +SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or appointed may retain their +offices during the time for which they have been so elected or +appointed, at the expiration of which time said offices shall be +filled as herein-before provided. + +ARTICLE V + +JUDICIARY. + +SECTION 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this Order shall consist of a +Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the +Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the Chiefs of these several +Departments. + +SEC. 2. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire shall consist of +three Judges for the trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and +attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Empire. + +SEC. 3. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Realm shall consist of +three Judges for the trial of Grand Titans, and the Officers and +attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm. + +SEC. 4. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Dominion shall consist +of three Judges for the trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and +attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Dominion. + +SEC. 5. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Province shall consist +of five Judges for the trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand +Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and the Officers and attachés +belonging to the Head-quarters of the Province. + +SEC. 6. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Den shall consist of +seven Judges appointed from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the +officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den. + +SEC. 7. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard shall be +composed of at least seven Grand Dragons, to be convened by the senior +Grand Dragon upon charges being preferred against the Grand Wizard; +which Tribunal shall be organized and presided over by the senior +Grand Dragon _present_; and if they find the accused guilty, they +shall prescribe the penalty, and the senior Grand Dragon of the Empire +shall cause the same to be executed. + +SEC. 8. The aforesaid Courts shall summon the accused and witnesses +for and against him, and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the +penalty, and the Officers convening the Court shall cause the same to +be executed. _Provided_ the accused shall always have the right of +appeal to the next Court above, whose decision shall be final. + +SEC. 9. The Judges constituting the aforesaid Courts shall be selected +with reference to their intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, +and shall render their verdict without prejudice, favor, partiality, +or affection, and shall be so sworn, upon the organization of the +Court; and shall further be sworn to administer even-handed justice. + +SEC. 10. The several Courts herein provided for shall be governed in +their deliberations, proceedings, and judgments by the rules and +regulations governing the proceedings of regular Courts-martial. + +ARTICLE VI. + +REVENUE. + +SECTION 1. The revenue of this Order shall be derived as follows: For +every copy of this Prescript issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2 +of which shall go into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Giant, $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan, $2 +into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the +remaining $4 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Wizard. + +SEC. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the +Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent. +of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the +Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when +the Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +SEC. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand +Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +SEC. 6. The source of revenue to Dens shall be the initiation fees, +fines, and a _per capita_ tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem +such tax necessary and indispensable to the interests and objects of +the Order. + +SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the manner aforesaid, shall be for +the _exclusive_ benefit of the Order, and shall be appropriated to the +dissemination of the same and to the creation of a fund to meet any +disbursement that it may become necessary to make to accomplish the +objects of the Order and to secure the protection of the same. + +ARTICLE VII. + +ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. + +SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for admission into the Order +until he shall have first been recommended by some friend or intimate +who _is_ a member, to the Investigating Committee, (which shall be +composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,) +and who shall have investigated his antecedents and his past and +present standing and connections; and after such investigation, shall +have pronounced him competent and worthy to become a member. +_Provided_, no one shall be presented for admission into, or become a +member of, this Order who shall not have attained the age of eighteen +years. + +SEC. 2. No one shall become a member of this Order unless he shall +_voluntarily_ take the following oaths or obligations, and shall +_satisfactorily_ answer the following interrogatories, while kneeling, +with his right hand raised to heaven, and his left hand resting on the +Bible: + +PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION. + +"I ---- solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing +that I may this day (or night) learn concerning the Order of the * * +*, and that I will true answer make to such interrogatories as may be +put to me touching my competency for admission into the same. So help +me God." + +INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED: + +1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon application for membership in +the * * *, or have you ever been expelled from the same? + +2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Radical +Republican party, or either of the organizations known as the "Loyal +League" and the "Grand Army of the Republic?". + +3d. Are you opposed to the principles and policy of the Radical party, +and to the Loyal League, and the Grand Army of the Republic, so far as +you are informed of the character and purposes of those organizations? + +4th. Did you belong to the Federal army during the late war, and fight +against the South during the existence of the same? + +5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both social and political? + +6th. Are you in favor of a white man's government in this country? + +7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty, and a Government of +equitable laws instead of a Government of violence and oppression? + +8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Constitutional rights of the +South? + +9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchisement and emancipation of +the white men of the South, and the restitution of the Southern people +to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil, and political? + +10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right of self-preservation of +the people against the exercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power? + +If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfactorily answered, and the +candidate desires to go further (after something of the character and +nature of the Order has thus been indicated to him) and to be admitted +to the benefits, mysteries, secrets and purposes of the Order, he +shall then be required to take the following final oath or obligation. +But if said interrogatories are not satisfactorily answered, or the +candidate declines to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after +being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi-cer of the deep +secresy to which the oath already taken has bound him, and that the +extreme pen-alty of the law will follow a violation of the same. + +FINAL OBLIGATION. + +"I ---- of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of +Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to +any one not a member of the Order of the * * *, by any intimation, +sign, symbol, word or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the +secrets, signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order of the * +* *, or that I am a member of the same, or that I know any one who +_is_ a member; and that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of +the Order of the * * * So help me God." + +The initiating officer will then proceed to explain to the new members +the character and objects of the Order, and introduce him to the +mysteries and secrets of the same; and shall read to him this +Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or present the same to him for +personal perusal. + +ARTICLE VIII. + +AMENDMENTS. + +This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof shall never be changed, +except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in +convention assembled, and at which convention the Grand Wizard shall +preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the application of a +majority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the Grand Wizard shall +call and appoint the time and place for said convention; which, when +assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and amendments as +it may think will promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and more +thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the Order. + +ARTICLE IX. + +INTERDICTION. + +The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order shall never be +written, but the same shall be communicated orally. + +ARTICLE X. + +EDICTS. + +1. No one shall become a member of a distant Den, when there is a Den +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall +any one become a member of any Den, or of this Order in any way after +he shall have been once rejected, upon application for membership. + +2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members thereof, shall operate +beyond their prescribed limits, unless invited or ordered by the +proper authority so to do. + +3. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the Den; nor shall any member be allowed to attend a +meeting while intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in +such condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor +more than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the Order. + +4. Any member may be expelled from the Order by a majority vote of the +Officers and Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if after such +expulsion, such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia, or +insignia of the Order, or in any way claim to be a member of the same, +he shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation +made by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same +manner as if he were then a member. + +5. Upon the expulsion of any member from the Order, the Grand Cyclops, +or the officer acting in his stead, shall immediately report the same +to the Grand Giant of the Province, who shall cause the fact to be +made known and read in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit +the same, through the proper channels, to the Grand Dragon of the +Realm, who shall cause it to be published to every Den in his Realm, +and shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous Realms of the same. + +6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to his Den, at least once in every month; and shall +read them to each new member when he is initiated, or present the same +to him for personal perusal. + +7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one dollar, to be paid +when the candidate is initiated and received into the Order. + +8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control and +government as they may deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, no +Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or Edicts +of this Prescript. + +9. The most profound and rigid secrecy concerning any and everything +that relates to the Order, shall at all times be maintained. + +10. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets of this Order, +shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law. + +ADMONITION. + +Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, bethink thee! it was our +covenant! + +REGISTER. + +I. + + 1. Dismal, 7. Painful, + 2. Mystic, 8. Portentous, + 3. Stormy, 9. Fading, + 4. Peculiar, 10. Melancholy, + 5. Blooming, 11. Glorious, + 6. Brilliant, 12. Gloomy. + +II. + + I. White, II. Green, III. Yellow, IV. Amber, + V. Purple, VI. Crimson, VII. Emerald. + +III. + + 1. Fearful, 7. Hideous, + 2. Startling, 8. Frightful, + 3. Wonderful, 9. Awful, + 4. Alarming, 10. Horrible, + 5. Mournful, 11. Dreadful, + 6. Appalling, 12. Last. + +IV. + + Cumberland. + +L'ENVOI. + +To the lovers of law and order, peace and justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the +Order of the * * * + + _Resurgamus._ + + * * * * * + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ku Klux Klan, by +J. C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. 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C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. Fleming + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ku Klux Klan + Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment + +Author: J. C. Lester + D. L. Wilson + Walter L. Fleming + +Release Date: March 29, 2010 [EBook #31819] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KU KLUX KLAN *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="noin">Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.</p> +<p class="noin">The pages in Appendix I and II are preserved as printed, with the original image displayed next to each page. +A compiled version is included at the end for the benefit of the reader.</p> +<p class="noin">Many of the illustrations are facsimiles, so have bleedthrough in the original images. +Transcripts are available for the those in the appendices. Unfortunately the first image is missing in the original. +Click on the images to see a larger version.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h1 class="sc">Ku Klux Klan</h1> + +<h2>ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DISBANDMENT</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h3>J.C. LESTER <span style="font-size: 80%;">AND</span> D.L. WILSON</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>WITH<br /> + APPENDICES CONTAINING THE PRESCRIPTS<br /> + OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, SPECIMEN<br /> + ORDERS AND WARNINGS</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>WITH<br /> + INTRODUCTION AND NOTES<br /> + BY<br /> + WALTER L. FLEMING, PH. D.</h4> + +<h4><i>Professor of History in West Virginia University; Author<br /> + of "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama."</i></h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT.</h3> +<br /> + +<div class="block"><p>Assistance was given to me while searching for information in regard to +Ku Klux Klan, by many former members of the order, and by their friends +and relatives. Of especial value were the details given to me by Major +James R. Crowe, of Sheffield, Alabama; the late Ryland Randolph, Esq., +and his son, Ryland Randolph, Jr., of Birmingham, Alabama; Judge Z.T. +Ewing, of Pulaski, Tennessee; Miss Cora R. Jones, of Birmingham, +Alabama, niece of one of the founders of the Klan; Mr. Lacy H. Wilson, +of Bristol, Tennessee, the son of one of the authors of the History +printed within, Major S.A. Cunningham and Mr. A.V. Goodpasture, of +Nashville, and Dr. John A. Wyeth, of New York City.</p> + +<p>There is still much that is obscure about Ku Klux Klan and I shall be +glad to obtain additional information in regard to the order, and also +to receive notice of mistakes and errors in this account.</p> + +<p class="right">W.L.F.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="60%" summary="Table of Contents"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION.</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">BY WALTER L. FLEMING.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdr" style="font-size: 80%;">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="80%"> </td> + <td class="tdr" width="20%">13</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">KU KLUX KLAN.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">BY J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I. The Origin</a></td> + <td class="tdr">47</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Chapter II. The Spread of the Klan</a></td> + <td class="tdr">68</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chapter III. The Transformation</a></td> + <td class="tdr">83</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Chapter IV. The Decline</a></td> + <td class="tdr">100</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V. Disbandment</a></td> + <td class="tdr">125</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc"><br />APPENDICES.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#APPENDIX_I">Appendix I. Prescript of Ku Klux Klan</a></td> + <td class="tdr">133</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#APPENDIX_II">Appendix II. Revised and Amended Prescript of Ku Klux Klan</a></td> + <td class="tdr">151</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#APPENDIX_III">Appendix III. Constitution of a Local Order</a></td> + <td class="tdr">177</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#APPENDIX_IV">Appendix IV. Ku Klux Orders, Warnings, and Oaths</a></td> + <td class="tdr">187</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#INDEX">Index</a></td> + <td class="tdr">199</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="toi" id="toi"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="60%" summary="List of Illustrations"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="80%">1. Badge worn by high officials of the Klan. See outside cover.</td> + <td class="tdr" width="20%"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep019">2. Some Klansmen</a></td> + <td class="tdr">19</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep028">3. General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Grand Wizard</a></td> + <td class="tdr">28</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep033">4. General John B. Gordon</a></td> + <td class="tdr">33</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep053">5. Room in which the Klan was organized</a></td> + <td class="tdr">53</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep058">6. Costumes worn in Mississippi and West Alabama</a></td> + <td class="tdr">58</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep097">7. Costumes worn in Tennessee and North Alabama</a></td> + <td class="tdr">97</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep113">8. Carpetbaggers Listening to a Ku Klux Report, (Cartoon)</a></td> + <td class="tdr">113</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep192">9. The Fate of the Carpetbagger and the Scalawag, (Cartoon)</a></td> + <td class="tdr">192</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><a href="#imagep196">10. A Specimen Warning sent by the Klan</a></td> + <td class="tdr">196</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="block3"><p>"When laws become lawless contrivances to defeat +the ends of justice, it is not surprising that +the people resort to lawless expedients for +securing their rights."—<i>S.S. Cox, in "Three +Decades," p. 558.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h3>WALTER L. FLEMING</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION.</h3> + +<h4>By <span class="sc">Walter L. Fleming</span>, Ph. D.,</h4> + +<h4>Professor of History in West Virginia University.</h4> +<br /> + + +<p>Twenty-one years ago there was privately printed in Nashville, +Tennessee, a little book by J.C. Lester and D.L. Wilson, that purported +to be an account, from inside information, of the great secret order of +Reconstruction days, known to the public as Ku Klux Klan. It attracted +little notice then; and since that time it has not been given the +attention it deserved as a historical document.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> At the time of +writing, sectional feeling was still inflamed; the Northern people were +not ready to hear anything favorable about the Ku Klux Klan, which they +considered a band of outlaws and murderers; and the Southern people +were not desirous of being reminded of the dreadful Reconstruction +period. Many of the members of the Klan who had been hunted for their +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>lives, and who were still technically outlawed, were unwilling to make +known their connection with the order and some even considered their +oaths still binding. But since the book was printed, the Prescripts or +Constitutions of the order have come to light, and the ex-members are +now generally willing to tell all they know about the organization. As +yet, no other member has written an account of the Klan, though several +have been projected, and Lester and Wilson's History seems likely to +remain the only one written altogether from inside sources.</p> + +<p>The authors, Capt. John C. Lester and Rev. D.L. Wilson, were in 1884, +when the booklet was written, residents in Pulaski, Tennessee, where +the first Den of the Klan was founded. Major Lester was one of the six +original members of the Pulaski Den or Circle. He made a fine record as +a soldier in the Civil War in the Third Tennessee (Confederate) +Infantry, and afterwards became a lawyer and an official in the +Methodist Church, and was a member of the Tennessee legislature at the +time of writing the book. Rev. D.L. Wilson, who put the account into +its present form, was born in 1849, in Augusta <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>County, Virginia. He +went to school to Jed Hotchkiss and was graduated as valedictorian of +his class from Washington and Lee University, in 1873, and a year later +from the Union Theological Seminary, near Hampden-Sidney, Virginia. +From 1874 to 1880 he was pastor of a Presbyterian church at Broadway, +Virginia, and from 1880 to 1902 he served a church in Pulaski, +Tennessee. He died in 1902 after a six months' residence in Bristol, +Tennessee, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. He was not a +member of the Klan, but was acquainted with the founders and with many +other former members, and had access to all the records of the order +that had not been destroyed. In addition to information received from +other members, Wilson was assisted by Captain Lester, who furnished +most of the facts used, revised the manuscript and the book was printed +with both names on the title page.</p> + +<p>As a general account of the Ku Klux movement Lester and Wilson's +History leaves something to be desired. It is colored too much by +conditions in Tennessee. No knowledge is shown of other organizations +similar to Ku Klux Klan, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>when in fact there were several other very +important ones, such as the White Brotherhood, the White League, the +Pale Faces, the Constitutional Union Guards, and one, the Knights of +the White Camelia,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> that was larger than the Klan and covered a wider +territory. Then, too, in an attempt to make a moderate statement that +would be generally accepted, the authors failed to portray clearly the +chaotic social, economic and political conditions that caused the rise +of such orders, and in endeavoring to condemn the acts of violence +committed under cloak of the order they went too far in the direction +of apologetic explanation. Consequently, the causes seem somewhat +trivial and the results not very important.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> It would seem from their +account that after a partial success, the movement failed in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>its +attempt to regulate society, and degenerated into general disorder. +This is a superficial conclusion and is not concurred in by the +survivors of the period and those who understand the conditions of that +time. The remnants of such a secret, illegal order were certain to +degenerate finally into violence, but before it reached this stage it +had accomplished much good in reducing to order the social chaos.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep019" id="imagep019"></a> +<a href="images/imagep019.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep019.jpg" width="40%" alt="Some Klansmen" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="sc">Some Klansmen</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%;">1. D.L. Wilson, one of the authors of "Ku Klux Klan." 2. Major J.R. +Crowe, one of the founders. 3. Captain John C. Lester, one of the +founders. 4. General Albert Pike, chief judicial officer. 5. General +W.J. Hardee. 6. Calvin Jones, one of the founders. 7. Ryland Randolph.</p> +</div> + +<p>In view of the fact that the Lester and Wilson account does not mention +names it will be of interest to examine the <i>personnel</i> of the original +Pulaski Circle, out of which the Klan developed. (See p. 52). There +were six young men in the party that first began to meet in the fall +and winter of 1865: (1) Captain John C. Lester, of whom something has +been said. (2) Major James Richard Crowe, now of Sheffield, Alabama, +who was a native of Pulaski and was educated at Waterbury Academy and +Giles College. When the Civil War began he was studying law in Marion, +Alabama, and enlisted at once in the Marion Rifles, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>Company "G," +Fourth Alabama Infantry. Later he was transferred to the 35th Tennessee +Infantry. He was in the battles of Manassas, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, +Shelton's Hill, White Farm, Richmond, Perrysville, and others of less +importance. Three times he was severely wounded and twice discharged +for disability. He was captured with Sam Davis and both were tried as +spies; Crowe was acquitted and Davis was hanged. He has held high rank +in the Masonic order and has been an official in the Cumberland +Presbyterian Church. (3) John Kennedy, the only survivor of the +original six except Major Crowe. He was a soldier in the 3rd Tennessee +Infantry during the Civil War, is a Presbyterian, and an honored +citizen of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. (4) Calvin Jones, son of Judge +Thomas M. Jones, was a lawyer, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He +was Adjutant of the 32nd Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War. (5) +Richard R. Reed was a lawyer, a Presbyterian, and during the war had +served in the 3rd Tennessee Infantry. (6) Frank O. McCord was editor of +the <i>Pulaski Citizen</i>, a Methodist, and had been a private soldier in +the Confederate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>service. Two others came in at the second or third +meeting—Capt. J.L. Pearcy, later of Nashville, now of Washington, +D.C., and James McCallum.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> The founders were all of Scotch-Irish +descent and most of them were Presbyterians.</p> + +<p>In regard to the founding of the Pulaski Circle, Major J.R. Crowe says: +"Frank O. McCord was elected Grand Cyclops, and James R. Crowe, Grand +Turk. A committee composed of Richard R. Reed and Calvin Jones<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> was +appointed to select a name for the organization. The Greek for <i>circle</i> +was chosen. We called it Kuklos (<span class="Greek">Κυκλοσ</span>), which was changed to +Ku Klux afterward when the name was proposed to the Circle. John +Kennedy suggested that we add another <i>K</i>, and the order was then +called Ku Klux Klan.... <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>The mysterious lights seen floating about the +ruins (See p. 61) presented a weird and uncanny appearance and filled +the superstitious with dread of the place; so we were never disturbed, +and it only required a quaint garb and a few mysterious sounds to +convince the uninitiated that we were spirits from the other world. We +were quick to catch on to this idea and we governed ourselves +accordingly.... During our parades or appearances in public the darkies +either hid out or remained close in their houses.... The origin of the +order had no political significance. It was at first purely social and +for our amusement. It proved a great blessing to the entire South and +did what the State and Federal officials could not do—it brought order +out of chaos and peace and happiness to our beloved South.... The order +was careful in the admission of members and I have never known of a +betrayal of the secrets of the order. I am proud to say that I never +knew of one single act done by the genuine Ku Klux Klan that I am +ashamed of or do not now endorse."</p> + +<p>Major Crowe and other members repeatedly mention the fact that the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>membership of the Klan was largely of Scotch-Irish descent. This was +bound to be the case since in the territory covered by the Klan proper +the great majority of the Scotch-Irish of the South were settled. The +Ku Klux Klan extended from Virginia to Mississippi through the white +county section—the Piedmont and mountain region. It seldom extended +into the Black Belt, though it was founded on its borders. There +another similar order—the Knights of the White Camelia—held sway. In +the Piedmont region before the spread of the Klan, there were numerous +secret protective societies among the whites, and these were later +absorbed into the Klan. The Klan led a more strenuous existence than +the Black Belt orders. In most of its territory, social conditions were +worse than in the black counties. It is a mistake to consider that in +1865-1870, the whites in the densest black districts were in the place +of greatest danger. There the blacks were usually the best behaved; +there the whites were never divided and never lost their grip on +society; there the negro still respected the white people as <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>beings +almost superhuman. But race relations were worse in the white districts +where there was a lower class of whites, some of whom mistreated the +negro and others encouraged him to violence. Here the negro had never +had the great respect for <i>all</i> whites that the Black Belt negro had, +and here the whites were somewhat divided among themselves. During the +war the "tories," so called, or those who claimed to be Union +sympathizers and the Confederates, alternately mistreated one another, +and the close of the war brought no peace to such communities. To this +region escaped the outlaws, deserters, etc., of both armies during the +war, and here the wreckage of war was worst. Such was the nature of the +country where the Klan flourished. It was a kind of ex-Confederate +protest against the doings of the "tories," Unionists and outlaws, and +the negroes banded in the Union League. For several years neither the +Federal Government nor the State Government gave protection to the +ex-Confederates of this region, and naturally secret <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>associations were +formed for self-defense. This method of self-defense is as old as +history.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + +<p>The members of Ku Klux Klan are nowadays inclined to consider that +their order comprehended all that took shape in resistance to the +Africanization of society and government during the Reconstruction +period. As one ex-member said: "Nearly all prominent +men—ex-Confederates—in all the Southern states were connected in some +way with the Klan." This is true only indirectly. Nearly all white men, +it may be said, took part in the movement now called the "Ku Klux +Movement." But more of them belonged to other organizations than were +members of the Klan. The Klan had the most striking name and it was +later applied to the whole movement. The more prominent <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>politicians, +it is said, had no direct connection with any such orders. Such +connection would have embarrassed and hampered them in their work, but +most of them were in full sympathy with the objects of the Ku Klux +movement, and profited by its successes. Many of the genuine Unionists +later joined in the movement, and there were some few negro members, I +have been told. Some prominent men were honorary members, so to speak, +of the order. They sympathized with its objects, and gave advice and +encouragement, but were not initiated and did not take active part. +General John B. Gordon, of Georgia, and General W.J. Hardee, of +Alabama, were such members. The active members were, as a rule, young +men. In this respect the Klan differed from the order of White Camelia, +which discouraged the initiation of very young men.</p> + +<p>Some well-known members of the Klan were General John C. Brown, of +Pulaski, Tennessee; Captain John W. Morton, now Secretary of State of +Tennessee; Ryland Randolph, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, editor of the +<i>Independent Monitor</i>, the official organ of the Klan in Alabama; +General N.B. Forrest and General George <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>W. Gordon, of Memphis, +Tennessee; Generals John B. Gordon, A.H. Colquitt, G.T. Anderson and +A.R. Lawton, of Georgia; General W.J. Hardee, of Alabama; Colonel +Joseph Fussell, of Columbia, Tennessee. General Albert Pike, who stood +high in the Masonic order, was the chief judicial officer of the Klan.</p> + +<p>General Forrest heard of the order after it began to spread, and after +investigation consented to become its head as Grand Wizard. He was +initiated by Captain John W. Morton, who had formerly been his chief of +artillery. Under him the order, which was becoming demoralized, was +reorganized. As soon as it had done its work he disbanded it. An +enterprising newspaper reporter interviewed General Forrest, in 1868, +on the subject of Ku Klux Klan and extracted much information;<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> but +when before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, in 1871, the General +would make only general statements and he evaded some of the +interrogatories. To the committee he appeared to be wonderfully +familiar with the principles of the order, but very ignorant as to +details. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>average member of Congress, ignorant of Southern +conditions, did not understand that the members of the order considered +themselves bound by the supreme oath of the Klan and that other oaths, +if in conflict with it, were not binding. That is, the ex-Confederates +under the command of Forrest, Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire, +were obeying the first law of nature and were bound to reveal nothing +to injure the cause, just as when Confederates under Forrest, +Lieutenant-General of the Confederate Army, they were bound not to +reveal military information to the hostile forces. The government, in +their view, had not only failed to protect them, but was being used to +oppress them. Consequently they were disregarding its claim to +obedience.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep028" id="imagep028"></a> +<a href="images/imagep028.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep028.jpg" width="45%" alt="General N.B. Forrest" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="sc">General N.B. Forrest</span><br /> +Grand Wizard of Ku Klux Klan<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 28</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p>Now that General Forrest's connection with the Klan is known it is +amusing to read the testimony he gave before the Ku Klux Committee of +Congress in 1871.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Though evading questions aimed to elicit definite +information, yet he was willing to speak of the general conditions that +caused the development of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>organization in Tennessee. He stated +that it was meant as a defensive organization among the Southern whites +to offset the work of the Union League, which had organized, armed and +drilled the negroes, and had committed numerous outrages on the whites; +to protect ex-Confederates from extermination by Brownlow's "loyal" +militia, to prevent the burning by negroes of gins, mills, dwellings, +and villages, which was becoming common; to protect white women from +criminal negro men; in short to make life and property safe and keep +the South from becoming a second San Domingo. He stated that about the +time the order arose he was getting as many as fifty letters a day from +his old soldiers who were suffering under the disordered conditions +that followed the war, whose friends and relatives were being murdered, +whose wives and daughters were being insulted, etc. They wanted advice +and assistance from him. Not being able to write himself, on account of +a wounded shoulder, he kept a secretary busy answering such letters. +Most of the defensive bodies, Forrest stated, had no names and had no +connection with one another. He <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>admitted that he had belonged to the +Pale Faces, and that he fully approved of the objects of the Klan. A +copy of the original Prescript was shown to him and he was able to say +that he had never seen it before. In his day, the Revised and Amended +Prescript was used, which was never discovered by any investigating +committee. He maintained that the order was careful in admitting new +members, only sober, mature, discreet gentlemen being allowed to join. +At one time, Forrest estimated, so a newspaper reporter stated, that +the Klan had 40,000 members in Tennessee and 550,000 in the entire +South. This estimate was probably not exaggerated if the entire +membership of all the orders similar to the Klan be counted in. Forrest +refused to give the names of members. It is likely, from several bits +of evidence, that he had much to do with consolidating the order, +giving it a military organization, and making its work effective.</p> + +<p>General John B. Gordon, the most prominent military man, next to +Forrest, who was connected with the Klan, gave a clear account of the +conditions in Georgia that led to the organization of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>the defensive +societies of whites.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> In Georgia the state of affairs where General +Gordon lived was in some respects unlike conditions in Tennessee. In +Tennessee the whites were somewhat divided among themselves and there +were not so many blacks. In Georgia, according to Gordon, the principal +danger was from blacks, incited to hostility and violence by alien +whites of low character. The latter organized the negroes into armed +Union Leagues, taught them that the whites were hostile to all their +rights, and that the lands of the whites were to be, or ought to be, +divided among the blacks. Under such influences the negroes who had not +made trouble began to show signs of restlessness; some of them banded +together to plunder the whites, and serious crimes became frequent, +especially that of rape, and men were afraid to leave their families in +order to attend to their business. The whites feared a general +insurrection of the blacks, and as Gordon stated, "if the sort of +teachings given [to the negroes] in Georgia had been carried out to its +logical results the negroes would <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>have slaughtered whole +neighborhoods." That they did not do so, was, in his opinion, due to +the forbearance and self-control of the whites, and to the natural +kindness and good disposition of the negroes and their remembrance of +former pleasant relations with the whites. There was no great danger, +as one can see today, of the negro uprisings, but the whites thought +then that there was. The religious frenzy of the blacks during the year +after the war also alarmed the whites. The black troops stationed in +Georgia were frequently guilty of gross outrages against white citizens +and were a constant incitement to violence on the part of their fellow +blacks. The carpetbag government pardoned and turned loose upon society +the worst criminals. There was no law for several years. The whites +were subject to arbitrary arrest and trials by drumhead courts-martial; +military prisoners were badly mistreated. In general, society and +government were in a condition of anarchy; the white race was +disorganized, and the blacks organized, but not for good purposes.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep033" id="imagep033"></a> +<a href="images/imagep033.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep033.jpg" width="40%" alt="General John B. Gordon" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="sc">General John B. Gordon</span><br /> +Head of Klan in Georgia<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 33</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p>General Gordon spoke of another matter often mentioned by the best +class of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>ex-Confederate soldiers: the Southern soldier believed that +the "Appomattox Program" had not been carried out. At Appomattox the +magnanimity of General Grant and the victorious soldiers had impressed +very favorably the defeated Confederates. The latter believed that if +Grant and the soldiers who had defeated them had been allowed to settle +matters, there would have been no more trouble. Instead, the +politicians had taken charge and had stirred up endless strife. No +effort at conciliation had been made; and the magnanimity of Grant gave +way to the vindictive policies of politicians.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>The whites believed +that the "understanding of Appomattox" had been violated and that they +had been deliberately humiliated by the Washington government.</p> + +<p>Such were some of the influences, in General Gordon's opinion, that +caused the spread of the Klan in Georgia. He says that he heartily +approved the objects of the order, that it was purely for +self-protection, an organization for police purposes, a peace police, +which kept the peace, prevented riots, and restrained the passionate +whites as well as the violent blacks. Its membership was, he said, of +the best citizens, mostly ex-Confederates, led by the instinct of +self-preservation to band together. It was secret because the leaders +were sure that the sympathy of the Federal Government would be against +them and would consider a public organization a fresh rebellion. It +took no part in politics and died out when the whites were able to +obtain protection from the police and the courts.</p> + +<p>These were the explanations of men who were high in the order but who +never attended a meeting and were never in actual contact with its +workings. Private <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>members—Ghouls they were called—could have told +more thrilling stories. But deficient as the accounts of Gordon and +Forrest are in detail they supplement the history of Lester and Wilson +in explaining the causes that lay at the bottom of the secret +revolution generally called the Ku Klux Movement.</p> + +<p>As to the success or failure of the movement, Lester and Wilson, +condemning the violence that naturally resulted from the movement, +cause the impression (Ch. 4) that the main result was disorder. Such +was not the case, nor was it the intention of the writers to create +such an impression. The important work of the Klan was accomplished in +regaining for the whites control over the social order and in putting +them in a fair way to regain political control. In some States this +occurred sooner than in others. When the order accomplished its work it +passed away. It was formally disbanded before the evil results of +carpet bag governments could be seen. When it went out of existence in +1869, there had been few outrages, but its name and prestige lived +after it and served to hide the evil deeds of all sorts and conditions +of outlaws. But these could be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>crushed by the government, State or +Federal. In a wider and truer sense the phrase "Ku Klux Movement" means +the attitude of Southern whites toward the various measures of +Reconstruction lasting from 1865 until 1876, and, in some respects, +almost to the present day.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>Two elaborate Prescripts or Constitutions were adopted by the Ku Klux +Klan—the original Prescript (See Appendix I) and the Revised and +Amended Prescript (See Appendix II). The ritual and initiatory +ceremonies and obligations were never printed. The by-laws and the +ritual of the Pulaski Circle or Den were elaborate but were in +manuscript only. They were quite absurd and were intended only to +furnish amusement to the members at the expense of the candidates for +initiation. No oaths were prescribed—only a pledge of secrecy. As the +Klan spread among neighboring towns, the Pulaski by-laws and ritual +were modified for the use of new Dens. After the Klan had changed +character and become a body of regulators, and it was decided that the +administration should be centralized, a convention of delegates from +the Dens <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>met in Nashville, in April, 1867, and adopted the original +Prescript already referred to. Lester and Wilson are mistaken in saying +(Ch. 3) that the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted at this +convention. Where and how this Prescript was printed no one now knows. +A copy was sent, without notice or explanation, from Memphis to the +Grand Cyclops of each Den. It must have been printed in a small +printing office since in the last pages the supply of *'s and +†'s ran out and other characters were substituted. Many Dens +used only this Prescript, and most of the members have never heard of +more than one Prescript.</p> + +<p>In some respects this first Constitution was found defective and in +1868 the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted. Who framed it we do +not know, but it is known how it was printed. Frank O. McCord, one of +the founders of the Pulaski Circle, was editor of the <i>Pulaski +Citizen</i>. A relative of his who worked in the printing office of the +<i>Citizen</i>, made the following statement some years ago in reference to +a copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> + +<div class="block2"> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>"This is an exact copy of the original Prescript printed in the office +of the Pulaski (Tennessee) <i>Citizen</i>, L.W. McCord, proprietor, in 1868. +I was a printer boy, and with John H. Kirk, the father of the Rev. +Harry Kirk, recently of Nashville, set the type. My brother, L.W. +McCord, received a communication one day, delivered to him by means of +a hole in the wall near the door, in which the Ku Klux deposited all +their communications for the paper, asking for an estimate for printing +this pamphlet, describing it. He delivered his reply in the same hole, +and the following morning the copy in full, the money, and minute +directions as to the disposition of the books when completed, were in +the hole. We did it all under seal of secrecy and concealment, hid the +galleys of type as they were set up, stitched them with our own hands +in a back room over Shapard's store, and trimmed them with a shoe knife +on the floor. When finished they were tied into a bundle and deposited +late at night just outside the office door, whence they were +immediately taken by unseen hands. I knew personally <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>all the +originators of the Ku Klux Klan, and the history of its origin, its +deeds, purposes and accomplishments.</p> + +<p class="right sc">"Laps D. McCord."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> +</div> + +<p>It will be noticed on comparing the two Prescripts that there are some +considerable differences between the two. The Revised and Amended +Prescript is eight pages longer than the other; the name of the order +is longer; the poetical selections that introduce the first are omitted +from the second; the second has Latin quotations only at the top of the +page; and the second Prescript throws much more light on the character +and objects of the order; the register is changed, and important +changes in the administration are provided for.</p> + +<p>The imperfect Prescript printed in Appendix III was used in the +Carolinas and was evidently written out from memory by some person who +had belonged to the genuine Klan. The members were widely scattered and +to many of them the entire contents of the Prescript were never known.</p> + +<p>When the Klan was disbanded strict orders were issued that all +documents <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>relating to the order should be destroyed and few Prescripts +escaped. At present only one copy of the original copy is known to be +in existence. That one was used by Ryland Randolph, of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama, formerly Grand Giant of a province of the order, and was given +to me by him. It is a little brown pamphlet of sixteen pages, and is +reprinted in Appendix I. Randolph stated that he never saw the Revised +Prescript. There are two copies of the Revised and Amended Prescript, +one in the library of the Southern Society of New York, which is now +deposited with the Columbia University Library; the other belongs to +Mr. J.L. Pearcy, formerly of Nashville, now of Washington, D.C. From +the latter copy the late Dr. W.R. Garrett, of Nashville, had the plates +made that are now used in reproducing the Revised and Amended Prescript +in Appendix II.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>The curious orders and warnings printed in Appendix IV had several +purposes. They were meant to warn and frighten evil-doers, to mystify +the public, and to give notice to members. Parts of the orders were +written in cypher which could be interpreted by the initiated. The +rest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>was gloomy sounding nonsense calculated to alarm some obnoxious +person or persons. The cypher used is found in the Register of the +Prescript. All orders that I have seen were written according to the +Register of the first Prescript. This may be accounted for by the fact +that in 1868 it was generally forbidden by law or by military order to +print or distribute notices from the Ku Klux Klan. About all that the +cypher was used for, I have been told, was to fix dates, etc. There are +thirty-one adjectives in the Register, one for each day of the month, +the first twelve for the morning hours, the last twelve for the evening +hours, and the seven in the middle for the days of the week. The last +word—"Cumberland"—is said to have been a general password. At first +the orders were printed in the newspapers, and during the winter of +1867-1868 and the spring of 1868 many of them appeared. As to the +significance of the orders printed in Appendix IV, Ryland Randolph +wrote: "I well remember those notices you saw in <i>The Monitor</i> for they +were concocted and posted by my own hand, disguised, of course." ... +"You ask if any of the notices you saw in <i>The Monitor</i> had any <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>real +meaning. Well, they had this much meaning: the very night of the day on +which these notices made their appearances, three notably offensive +negro men were dragged out of their beds, escorted to the old bone-yard +(¾ mile from Tuscaloosa) and thrashed in the regular ante-bellum style +until their unnatural nigger pride had a tumble, and humbleness to the +white man reigned supreme."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>Some of the illustrations used are of historical interest. The cartoon +opposite p. 192 is taken from the <i>Independent Monitor</i> of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama, a Ku Klux newspaper. The hanging carpetbagger was Rev. A.S. +Lakin, of Ohio, a Northern Methodist missionary to the negroes, who had +succeeded in getting himself elected President of the University of +Alabama. The other hanging figure represents Dr. N.B. Cloud, the +scalawag superintendent of public instruction who was assisting Lakin +to get his position. They were both driven from Tuscaloosa by the Klan. +The wood-cut from which this picture was printed was fashioned by +Randolph himself in <i>The Monitor</i> office. The picture was eagerly +welcomed by the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>Reconstructionists as an evidence of the state of +affairs in Alabama, and it was reproduced far and wide during the +Presidential campaign of 1868. Randolph's brother Democrats were +furious because he had furnished such excellent campaign material to +the other side. In one of Randolph's letters he states: "The name of +the Ohio newspaper that republished my famous wood-cut was the +<i>Cincinnati Commercial</i>. I have good authority for stating that said +paper issued 500,000 copies for distribution throughout Ohio during the +Seymour-Grant campaign. Not only this, but a Columbus, Ohio, paper also +issued a large edition."</p> + +<p>The cartoon opposite p. 113 is reproduced from "The Loil Legislature," +a pamphlet by Capt. B.H. Screws, of Montgomery. The Alabama +Reconstruction Legislature was the first to make an investigation of Ku +Klux Klan and <i>Sibley</i> and <i>Coon</i> were two carpetbaggers active in the +investigation.</p> + +<p>Opposite p. 196 is a typical warning sent to persons obnoxious to the +Klan. It is taken from the Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony.</p> + +<p>The costumes represented opposite p. 58 were captured in Mississippi +and were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>worn both in Mississippi and in Western Alabama. The costumes +represented opposite p. 97 were captured after the famous Ku Klux +parade in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1868. Federal soldiers donned the +captured disguises and were photographed. During the campaign of 1868 +the pictures were reproduced in the Reconstructionist newspapers.</p> + +<p>Miss Cora R. Jones kindly furnished a drawing (see outside cover) of +the badge worn by the higher officials of the Klan, and a sketch of the +room (see p. 53) in which the Klan was founded. Her uncle, Calvin +Jones, was one of the founders, the father, Charles P. Jones, was also +a member and the badge mentioned belonged to him.</p> + +<p>The text of the Lester and Wilson History is reprinted without change.</p> + +<p><i>West Virginia University,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">October, 1905.</span></i></p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Cutler, in his "Lynch Law," p. 139, is the first writer +outside of the South who has paid serious attention to this history of +Ku Klux Klan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The Constitution and Ritual of the Knights of the White +Camelia have been printed in West Virginia University Documents +relating to Reconstruction, No. 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Tourgee's "Invisible Empire" gives the carpetbagger's view +of the Ku Klux movement, and, though filled with worthless testimony +from the Ku Klux Report, it shows a very clear conception of the real +meaning of the movement and a correct appreciation of its results. The +best later interpretation is that of Mr. William Garrott Brown in "The +Lower South," Ch. 4.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> For a full account of its work in Alabama see Fleming's +"Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," Ch. 21.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Other well-known members of the Pulaski Den were: Captain +Robert Mitchell, Captain Thomas McCoy, Dr. M.S. Waters, Dr. James +Bowers, Milton Voorheis, C.P. Jones, Robert Martin, Dr. C.C. Abernathy, +I.L. Shappard, Robert Shappard, J.L. Nelson, John Moore, F.M. Crawford, +Alexander McKissick, W.H. Rose.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Charles P. Jones, brother of Calvin Jones, joined later. +He now lives in Birmingham, Alabama.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Examples in European history are the Carbonari of Italy, +the Tugenbund and the Vehmgericht of Germany, the Klephts of Greece, +Young Italy, the Nihilists of Russia, the Masonic order in most +Catholic countries during the first half of the Nineteenth Century, +Beati Paoli of Sicily, the Illuminati, etc. The "Confréries" of +Medieval France were similar illegal societies formed "pour dèfendre +les innocentes et reprimer les violences iniques."—Lavisse et Rambaud, +Histoire Generale, Vol. 2, p. 466.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> See Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, p. 32.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, Florida and Miscellaneous, p. 3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> See Ku Klux Report, Georgia Testimony, p. 304.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> General Clanton, of Alabama, complained that the Southern +people had passed "out of the hands of warriors into the hands of +squaws." General Edmund W. Pettus, now U.S. Senator from Alabama, said +that the entire Reconstruction was in violation of the understanding +made at the surrender of the Confederate armies. The Confederate +soldier surrendered with arms in hand and in return a certain contract +was made in his parole according to which, as long as he was +law-abiding, he was not to be disturbed. This contract had been +violated. The government of the United States had made a promise to men +with arms in their hands and had violated this promise by passing the +Reconstruction measures, which amounted to punishment of individuals +for alleged crime without trial by law. See Ku Klux Report, Alabama +Testimony, pp. 224, 377, 383.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> It is the copy he refers to that is reproduced in +Appendix II.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <i>American Historical Magazine</i>, Vol. 5, p. 4.</p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>KU KLUX KLAN</h2> + +<h3>ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DISBANDMENT</h3> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h3>J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span><br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span><br /> + +<h2><a name="KU_KLUX_KLAN" id="KU_KLUX_KLAN"></a>KU KLUX KLAN</h2> + +<br /> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> + +<br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER I.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>THE ORIGIN.</h4> +<br /> + +<p>There is no stranger chapter in American history than the one which +bears for a title "Ku Klux Klan." The organization which bore this name +went out of life as it came into it, shrouded in deepest mystery. Its +members would not disclose its secrets; others could not. Even the +investigation committee, appointed by Congress, were baffled. The +voluminous reports containing the results of that committee's tedious +and diligent inquiry do not tell when and where and how the Ku Klux +Klan originated. The veil of secrecy still hangs over its grave. We +propose to lift it.</p> + +<p>The time has now arrived when the history of the origin, growth and +final decay of "The Invisible Empire" may be given <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>to the public. +Circumstances not necessary to detail have put it in the power of the +writer to compile such a history. For obvious reasons the names of +individuals are withheld. But the reader may feel assured that this +narrative is drawn from sources which are accurate and authentic.</p> + +<p>The writer does not profess to be able to disclose the secret signs, +grips and pass-words of the order.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> These have never been disclosed +and probably never will be. But we claim to narrate facts relating to +the order, which have a historic and philosophic value. It is due to +the truth of history; to the student of human nature; to the statesmen, +and to the men who were engaged in this movement, that the facts +connected with this remarkable episode in our nation's history be +frankly and fairly told.</p> + +<p>A wave of excitement, spreading by contagions till the minds of a whole +people are in a ferment, is an event of frequent occurrent. The Ku Klux +movement was peculiar by reason of the causes <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>which produced and fed +the excitement. It illustrates the weird and irresistible power of the +unknown and mysterious over the minds of men of all classes and +conditions in life. And it illustrates how men, by circumstances and +conditions, in part of their own creation, may be carried away from +their moorings and drifted along in a course against which reason and +judgment protest.</p> + +<p>The popular idea supposes the Ku Klux movement to have been conceived +in malice, and nursed by prejudice and hate, for lawlessness, rapine +and murder. The circumstances which brought the Klan into notice and +notoriety were of a character to favor such conclusions. No other +seemed possible. The report of the Congressional Investigating +Committee confirmed it.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> Even if that report be true, like +everything else which is known of the Ku Klux, it is fragmentary truth. +The whole story has never been told. And the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>impression prevails that +the Ku Klux Klan was conceived and carried out in pure and unmixed +deviltry. The reader who follows this narrative to its end will decide, +with the facts before him, whether this impression is just and true.</p> + +<p>The Ku Klux Klan was the outgrowth of peculiar conditions, social, +civil and political, which prevailed at the South from 1865 to 1869. It +was as much a product of those conditions as malaria is of a swamp and +sun heat.</p> + +<p>Its birthplace was Pulaski, the capital of Giles, one of the southern +tier of counties in Middle Tennessee. Pulaski is a town of about three +thousand inhabitants. Previous to the war its citizens possessed wealth +and culture—they retain the second—the first was lost in the general +wreck. The most intimate association with them fails to disclose a +trace of the diabolism which, according to the popular idea, one would +expect to find characterizing the people among whom the Ku Klux Klan +originated. A male college and a female seminary are located at +Pulaski, and receive liberal patronage. It is a town of churches.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>There, in 1866, the name Ku Klux first fell from human lips. There +began a movement which in a short time spread as far north as +Virginia<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> and as far south as Texas, and which for a period +convulsed the country and attracted the attention of the civilized +world. Proclamations were fulminated against the Klan by the President +and by the Governors of States; and hostile statutes were enacted both +by State and National Legislatures.</p> + +<p>It was finally quieted, but not until there had become associated with +the name Ku Klux gross mistakes and lawless deeds of violence. To this +day there are localities where the utterance of it awakens awe and +fear.</p> + +<p>During the entire period of the Klan's organized existence, Pulaski +continued to be its central seat of authority. Some of its highest +officers resided there. This narrative, therefore, will relate +principally to the growth of the Klan and the measures taken to +suppress it in Tennessee. It is necessary to a clear understanding of +the movement to observe that the history of the Klan is marked by two +distinct and well defined periods. The first period <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>covers the time +from its organization, in 1866, to the summer of 1867. The second from +the summer of 1867 to the date of its disbandment in the early part of +the year 1869.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> + +<p>The first period contains but little of general interest, but it is +necessary to describe it somewhat minutely, because of its bearing on +subsequent events. When the war ended, the young men of Pulaski, who +had escaped death on the battlefield, returned home and passed through +a period of enforced inactivity. In some respects it was more trying +than the ordeal of war which lay behind them. The reaction which +followed the excitement of army scenes and service was intense. There +was nothing to relieve it. They could not engage at once in business or +professional pursuits. In the case of many, business habits were broken +up. Few had capital to enter mercantile or agricultural enterprises. +There was a total lack of the amusements and social diversions which +prevail wherever society is in a normal condition.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep053" id="imagep053"></a> +<a href="images/imagep053.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep053.jpg" width="55%" alt="Room in Which the Klan Was Founded" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="sc">Room in Which the Klan Was Founded</span><br /> +Law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, Pulaski, Tennessee. From sketch by Miss Cora R. Jones<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 53</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>One evening in May, 1866,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> a few of these young men met in the +office of one of the most prominent members of the Pulaski bar.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> In +the course of the conversation one of the number said: "Boys, let us +get up a club or society of some description." The suggestion was +discussed with enthusiasm. Before they separated it was agreed to +invite others, whose names were mentioned, to join them, and to meet +again the next evening at the same place. At the appointed time eight +or<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> ten young men had assembled.</p> + +<p>A temporary organization was effected by the election of a chairman and +a secretary. There was entire unanimity among the members in regard to +the end in view, which was diversion and amusement. The evening was +spent in discussing the best means of attaining the object for which +they were seeking. Two committees were appointed, one to select a +name,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>other<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> to prepare a set of rules for the government +of the society, and a ritual for the initiation of new members. The +club adjourned to meet the following week to hear and act upon the +reports of these committees. Before the arrival of the appointed time +for the next meeting, one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens +of Pulaski went on a business trip to Columbus, Miss., taking his +family with him. Before leaving he invited one of the leading spirits +of the new society to take charge of and sleep at his house during his +absence. This young man invited his comrades to join him there. And so +the place of meeting was changed from the law office to this residence. +The owner of it outlived the Ku Klux Klan and died ignorant of the fact +that his house was the place where its organization was fully effected.</p> + +<p>This residence afterwards came into the possession of Judge H.M. +Spofford, of Spofford-Kellogg fame.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> It was his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>home at the time of +his death, and is still owned by his widow.</p> + +<p>The committee appointed to select a name reported that they had found +the task difficult, and had not made a selection. They explained that +they had been trying to discover or invent a name which would be, to +some extent, suggestive of the character and objects of the society. +They mentioned several which they had been considering. In this number +was the name "Kukloi" from the Greek word <i>Kuklos</i> (Kuklos), meaning a +band or circle. At mention of this some one cried out: "Call it Ku +Klux." "Klan" at once suggested itself, and was added to complete the +alliteration. So instead of adopting a name, as was the first +intention, which had a definite meaning, they chose one which to the +proposer of it, and to every one else, was absolutely meaningless.</p> + +<p>This trivial and apparently accidental incident had a most important +bearing on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>the future of the organization so singularly named. Looking +back over the history of the Klan, and at the causes under which it +developed, it is difficult to resist the conclusion that the order +would never have grown to the proportions which it afterwards assumed, +or wielded the power it did, had it not borne this name or some other +equally as meaningless and mysterious—mysterious because meaningless.</p> + +<p>Had they called themselves the "Jolly Jokers" or the "Adelphi," or by +some similar appellation, the organization would doubtless have had no +more than the mere local and ephemeral existence which those who +organized it contemplated for it. Hundreds of societies have originated +just as this one did, and after a brief existence have passed away. But +in this case there was a weird potency in the very name Ku Klux Klan. +Let the reader pronounce it aloud. The sound of it is suggestive of +bones rattling together! The potency of the name was not wholly in the +impression made by it on the general public. It is a singular fact that +the members of the Klan were themselves the first to feel its weird +influence; they had adopted a mysterious name. Thereupon the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>original +plan was modified so as to make everything connected with the order +harmonize with the name.</p> + +<p>Amusement was still the end in view. But now the method by which they +propose to win it were those of secrecy and mystery. So when the report +of the committee on rules and ritual came up for consideration, the +recommendations were modified to adapt them to the new idea. The report +as finally adopted, provided for the following officers: a Grand +Cyclops, or President; a Grand Magi, or Vice-President; a Grand Turk, +or Marshal; a Grand Exchequer, or Treasurer; and two Lictors. These +were the outer and inner guards of the "Den," as the place of meeting +was designated.</p> + +<p>The one obligation exacted from members was to maintain profound and +absolute secrecy with reference to the order and everything pertaining +to it. This obligation prohibited those who assumed it from disclosing +that they were Ku Klux, or the name of any other member, and from +soliciting any one to become a member. The last requirement was a +singular one. It was enacted for two reasons. First, it was in keeping +with the determination to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>appear as mysterious as possible, and thus +play upon the curiosity of the public. Secondly, and mainly, it was +designed to prevent unpleasantness following initiations. They wished +to be able to say to novices: "You are here on your own solicitation, +and not by invitation from us." They desired accessions; to have them +was indispensable; but they knew human nature well enough to know that +if they made the impression that they wished to be exclusive and +select, then applications for membership would be numerous. The result +showed that they reasoned correctly.</p> + +<p>Each member was required to provide himself with the following outfit: +A white mask for the face, with orifices for the eyes and nose; a tall, +fantastic cardboard hat, so constructed as to increase the wearer's +apparent height; a gown, or robe, of sufficient length to cover the +entire person. No particular color or material were prescribed. These +were left to the individual's taste and fancy, and each selected what +in his judgment would be the most hideous and fantastic, with the aim +of inspiring the greatest amount of curiosity in the novice. These +robes, of different colors, often of the most flashy <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>patterns of +"Dolly Varden" calicos, added vastly to the grotesque appearance of the +assembled Klan.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep058" id="imagep058"></a> +<a href="images/imagep058.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep058.jpg" width="45%" alt="Costumes" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen sc" style="margin-top: .2em;">Costumes Worn in Mississippi and West Alabama<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 58</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p>Each member carried also a small whistle, with which, by means of a +code of signals agreed upon, they held communications with one another. +The only utility of this device was to awaken inquiry.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> + +<p>And the object of all this was amusement—"only this, and nothing +more." A few young men debarred for the time by circumstances from +entering any active business or professional pursuits, and deprived of +the ordinary diversions of social life, were seeking in this way to +amuse and employ themselves. The organization of this Klan was to them +both diversion and occupation. But where, it may be asked, did the fun +come in? <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>Partly in exciting the curiosity of the public, and then in +baffling it; but mainly in the initiation of new members.</p> + +<p>The ritual used in the initiation was elaborate, but not worthy of +reproduction. It is enough to say that it was modeled on and embraced +the leading features of the ritual of an order which has long been +popular in colleges and universities under various names.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> In one +place it is the "Sons of Confucius;" in another, the "Guiasticutus;" +but everywhere, the "Ancient and the Honorable," and the +"Mirth-Provoking."</p> + +<p>The initiations were at first conducted in the law office, where the +suggestion for the formation of the Klan had been made. But it was not +a suitable place. The room was small. It was near the business portion +of the town, and while in session there, they never felt entirely free +from apprehensions of interruption.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>They soon found a place in every respect better adapted to their +purposes. On the brow of a ridge, that runs along the western outskirts +of the town, there used to stand a handsome and commodious residence. +The front, or main building, was of brick, the "L" of wood. In +December, 1865, the brick portion of this house was demolished by a +cyclone. The "L" remained standing, but tenantless. It consisted of +three rooms. A stairway led from one of them to a large cellar beneath. +No other house stood near. Around these ruins were the storm-torn, +limbless trunks of trees, which had once formed a magnificent grove. +Now, they stood up, grim and gaunt, like spectre sentinels. A dreary, +desolate, uncanny place it was. But it was, in every way, most suitable +for a "den," and the Klan appropriated it.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p> + +<p>When a meeting was held, one Lictor was stationed near the house, the +other fifty yards from it on the road leading <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>into town. These were +dressed in the fantastic regalia of the order and bore tremendous +spears as the badge of their office.</p> + +<p>As before stated, and for the reasons assigned, the Ku Klux did not +solicit any one to join them; yet, they had applications for +membership. While members were not allowed to disclose the fact of +their membership, they were permitted to talk with others in regard to +anything that was a matter of common report with reference to the +order. If they chose, members were allowed to say to outsiders: "I am +going to join the Ku Klux." If the persons addressed expressed a desire +to do likewise, the Ku Klux would say, if the party was a desirable +one: "Well, I think I know how to get in. Meet me at such a place, on +such a night, at such an hour, and we will join together." Other +similar subterfuges were resorted to, to secure members without direct +solicitation. Usually, curiosity would predominate over every other +consideration, and the candidate would be found waiting at the +appointed place.</p> + +<p>As the Ku Klux and the candidate approached the sentinel Lictor, they +were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>hailed and halted and questioned. Having received the assurance +that they desired to become Ku Klux, the Lictor blew the signal for his +companion to come and take charge of the novices. The candidate, under +the impression that his companion was similarly treated, was +blindfolded and led to the "den." The preliminaries of the initiation +consisted in leading the candidate around the rooms and down into the +cellar, now and then placing before him obstructions which added to his +discomfort, if not to his mystification. After some rough sport of this +description, he was led before the Grand Cyclops who solemnly addressed +to him numerous questions. Some of these questions were grave, and +occasionally a faulty answer resulted in the candidate's rejection. For +the most part they were absurd to the last degree. If the answers were +satisfactory, the obligation to secrecy, already administered, was +exacted a second time. Then the Grand Cyclops commanded:</p> + +<p>"Place him before the royal altar and adorn his head with the regal +crown."</p> + +<p>The "royal altar" was a large looking glass. The "regal crown" was a +huge hat bedecked with two enormous donkey <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>ears. In this headgear the +candidate was placed before the mirror and directed to repeat the +couplet:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O wad some power the giftie gie us<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see oursel's as ithers see us."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As the last word was falling from his lips, the Grand Turk removed the +bandage from his eyes, and before the candidate was his own ludicrous +image in the mirror. To increase the discomfiture and chagrin which any +man in such a situation would naturally feel, the removal of the +bandage was the signal to the Klan for indulgence in the most +uproarious and boisterous mirth. The Grand Cyclops relaxed the rigor of +his rule, and the decorum hitherto maintained disappeared, and the +"den" rang with shouts and peals of laughter; and worse than all, as he +looked about him, he saw that he was surrounded by men dressed in +hideous garb and masked, so that he could not recognize one of them.</p> + +<p>The character of these initiatory proceedings explains why, from the +very first, secrecy was so much insisted on. A single "tale out of +school" would have spoiled the fun. For the same reason the Klan, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>in +its early history, was careful in regard to the character of the men +admitted. Rash and imprudent men—such as could not be confidently +relied upon to respect their obligation to secrecy—were excluded. Nor +were those admitted who were addicted to the use of intoxicants. Later +on in the history they were not so careful, but in the earlier period +of its existence the Klan was composed of men of good habits.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + +<p>In some instances, persons not regarded as eligible to membership, or +not desirable, were persistent even to annoyance in their efforts to +gain admission to the order. Such persistence was occasionally rebuked +in a manner more emphatic than tender.</p> + +<p>One young man had a consuming desire to be a Ku Klux. The sole +objection, to him was his youth. When he presented himself to the +Lictor, the latter received him kindly, and led him blindfold, "over +the hill and far away" to a secluded spot, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>and left him with the +admonition to "wait there till called for." After hours of weary +waiting, the young man removed the bandage from his eyes and sought the +shelter of the paternal roof.</p> + +<p>Another of riper years, but for some reason not acceptable to the +order, made repeated efforts to join the Klan. For his special benefit +they arranged to have an initiation not provided for in the ritual. A +meeting was appointed to be held on the top of a hill that rises by a +gentle slope to a considerable height, on the northern limits of +Pulaski. The candidate, in the usual way—blindfold excepted—was led +into the presence of the Grand Cyclops. This dignitary was standing on +a stump. The tall hat, the flowing robe, and the elevated position made +him appear not less than ten feet tall. He addressed to the candidate a +few unimportant and absurd questions, and then, turning to the Lictors, +said: "Blindfold the candidate and proceed."</p> + +<p>The "procedure" in this case was to place the would-be Ku Klux in a +barrel, provided for the purpose, and to send him <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>whirling down the +hill! To his credit, be it said, he never revealed any of the secrets +of the Ku Klux Klan.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<p>These details have an important bearing on the subsequent history of +the Ku Klux. They show that the originators of the Klan were not +meditating treason or lawlessness in any form. Yet the Klan's later +history grew naturally out of the measures and methods which +characterized this period of it. Its projectors did not expect it to +spread. They thought it would "have its little day and die." It lived; +it grew to vast proportions.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The writer, D.L. Wilson, was not a member. The secrets of +the Klan were not printed or written, but were communicated orally. In +Appendix IV, p. 197, will be found versions of the oath taken by the +members.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> In 1871-1872 a Committee of Congress made an +investigation of affairs in the South. Its report, with the testimony +collected, was published in 13 volumes, and is usually called the Ku +Klux Report. See Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, p. +701; Garner, Reconstruction in Mississippi, p. 344.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> See above, p. 23.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> General Forrest said that the order was disbanded in the +fall of 1868. See Ku Klux Report, Vol. XIII., pp. 3-35.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Wilson's account in the <i>Century Magazine</i>, July, 1884, +says that the order was founded in June, 1866.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> This was the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, father +of one of the originators.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Survivors say that six men organized the club and that +others joined soon after.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> This committee was composed of Calvin Jones and R.R. +Reed.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> In this committee were J.R. Crowe, J.C. Lester and John +Kennedy.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Spofford was a brother of A.R. Spofford, Librarian of +Congress. He was a native of New Hampshire, who removed to Louisiana +and held high judicial office there before the Civil War. After 1870 he +spent much of his time in Pulaski. In 1877 he was elected to the United +States Senate from Louisiana, but the Senate seated W.P. Kellogg, a +carpetbagger from Illinois, who had been voted for by the "Packard +Legislature."—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> "Their robes used in these nocturnal campaigns consisted +simply of sheets wrapped around their bodies and belted around the +waist. The lower portion reached to the heels, whilst the upper had +eye-holes through which to see and mouth-holes through which to +breathe. Of course, every man so caparisoned had one or more pistols in +holsters buckled to his waist."—<i>Ryland Randolph.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> It is said that the members of the Pulaski Den wore small +metal badges.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> In the Southern colleges of today the peculiar Greek +letter fraternity known as Alpha Sigma Sigma, and the institution of +"snipe hunting" most nearly resemble the Klan in its early +stages.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> After leaving the law office of Judge Jones the Klan met +for a while in a room of the <i>Pulaski Citizen</i> building. The editor of +the <i>Citizen</i> was a member of the Klan and his paper published the +orders, proclamations and warnings sent out by the officials.—<i>Miss +Cora R. Jones.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> This building was the property of Dr. Benjamin Carter, +grandfather of the present postmaster of Birmingham, Alabama.—<i>Miss +Cora R. Jones.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> "My information was that they admitted no man who was not +a gentleman and a man who could be relied upon to act discreetly; not +men who were in the habit of drinking, boisterous men, or men liable to +commit error or wrong."—General <i>Forrest in Ku Klux Report, Vol. XIII, +p. 22.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Later, when Brownlow's Administration was endeavoring to +crush out the Ku Klux Klan, one of his detectives sought to gain +admission to the order. His purposes became known and the Nashville +Den, which he was trying to join, put him into a barrel and rolled it +into the Cumberland River, drowning the detective.—<i>Washington Post</i>, +<i>August 13, 1905.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER II.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>THE SPREAD OF THE KLAN.</h4> +<br /> + +<p>The devices for attracting attention were eminently successful. During +the months of July and August, 1866, the Klan was much talked about by +the citizens of Pulaski. Its mysteriousness was the sensation of the +hour. Every issue of the local paper contained some notice of the +strange order. These notices were copied into other papers, and in this +manner the way was prepared for the rapid growth and spread of the Klan +which soon followed.</p> + +<p>Six weeks or less from the date of the organization the sensation in +Pulaski had reached its height and was waning. Curiosity in regard to +it had abated to such a degree that the Klan would have certainly +fallen to pieces but for the following circumstances:</p> + +<p>By the time the eligible material in the town had been used up, the +young men <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>from the country, whose curiosity had been inflamed by the +newspaper notices, began to come in and apply for admission to the +Klan. Some of these applications were accepted. In a little while the +members from the country asked permission to establish "dens" at +various points in the county. No provision had been made for such a +contingency, but the permission was granted; had it not been, the +result in all probability would have been the same.</p> + +<p>As the ritual followed by the Pulaski Klan could not be conveniently +carried out in the country, various modifications and changes were +permitted. But the strictest injunctions were laid on these new lodges, +or dens, in regard to secrecy, mystery and the character of the men +admitted. The growth in the rural districts was more rapid than it had +been in the town. Applications for permission to establish "dens" +multiplied rapidly.</p> + +<p>The news that the Ku Klux were spreading to the country excited the +attention of the country people more generally than the existence of +the Klan in town had done. The same cause rekindled the waning interest +of the town people. Every issue of the local papers in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>"infected +regions" bristled with highly mysterious and exciting accounts of the +doings of the "fantastic gentry."</p> + +<p>During the fall and winter of 1866 the growth of the Klan was rapid. It +spread over a wide extent of territory. Sometimes, by a sudden leap, it +appeared in localities far distant from any existing "dens."</p> + +<p>A stranger from West Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, visiting +in a neighborhood where the order prevailed, would be initiated, and on +his departure carry with him permission to establish a "den" at home. +In fact, it was often done without such permission. The connecting link +between these "dens" was very fragile. By a sort of tacit agreement the +Pulaski Klan was regarded as the source of power and authority. The +Grand Cyclops of this "den" was virtually the ruler of the order, but +as he had no method of communicating with subjects or subordinates, and +no way in which to enforce his mandates, his authority was more fancy +than fact. But so far there had appeared no need for compact +organization, rigid rules and close supervision. The leading spirits of +the Ku Klux Klan <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>were contemplating nothing more serious than +amusement. They enjoyed the baffled curiosity and wild speculations of +a mystified public even more than the rude sport afforded by the +ludicrous initiations.</p> + +<p>Such is the account of the Ku Klux Klan in the first period of its +history from June, 1866 to April, 1867;<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> yet all this time it was +gradually, in a very natural way, taking on new features not at first +remotely contemplated by the originators of the order; features which +finally transformed the Ku Klux Klan into a band of "Regulators."</p> + +<p>The transformation was effected by the combined operation of several +causes: (1) The impressions made by the order upon the minds of those +who united with it; (2) The impressions upon the public by its weird +and mysterious methods; (3) The anomalous and peculiar condition of +affairs in the South at this time.</p> + +<p>The mystery and secrecy with which the Klan veiled itself made a +singular impression on the minds of many who united with it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>The prevalent idea was that the Klan contemplated some great and +important mission. This idea aided in its rapid growth. And on the +other hand the rapid extensions of the Klan confirmed this idea of its +purposes. When admitted to membership this conclusion, in the case of +many, was deepened rather than removed by what they saw and heard. +There was not a word in the ritual or in the obligation or in any part +of the ceremony to favor such a conclusion; but the impression still +remained that this mysteriousness and secrecy, the high-sounding titles +of the officers, the grotesque dress of the members, and the formidable +obligation, all meant more than real sport. This impression was +ineradicable, and the attitude of many of the members continued to be +that of expecting great developments. Each had his own speculations as +to what was to be the character of the serious work which the Klan had +to do. But they were satisfied that there was such work. It was an +unhealthy and dangerous state of mind for men to be in; bad results in +some cases very naturally followed from it.</p> + +<p>The impression made by the Klan on the public was the second cause +which <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>contributed to its transformation into a band of Regulators. +When the meetings first began to be held in the dilapidated house on +the hill, passers-by were frequent. Most of them passed the grim and +ghostly sentinel on the roadside in silence, but always with a +quickened step. Occasionally one would stop and ask: "Who are you?" In +awfully sepulchral tones the invariable answer was: "A spirit from the +other world. I was killed at Chickamauga."</p> + +<p>Such an answer, especially when given to a superstitious negro, was +extremely terrifying, and if, in addition, he heard the uproarous +noises issuing from the "den" at the moment of a candidate's +investiture with the "regal crown," he had the foundation for a most +awe-inspiring story. There came from the country similar stories. The +belated laborer, passing after nightfall, some lonely and secluded +spot, heard horrible noises and saw fearful sights. These stories were +repeated with such embellishments as the imagination of the narrator +suggested, till the feeling of the negroes and of many of the white +people, at mention of the Ku Klux, was one of awe and terror.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>In a short time the Lictor of the Pulaski "den" reported that travel +along the road on which he had his post had almost entirely stopped. In +the country it was noticed that the nocturnal perambulation of the +colored population diminished, or entirely ceased, wherever the Ku Klux +appeared. In many ways there was a noticeable improvement in the habits +of a large class who had hitherto been causing great annoyance. In this +way the Klan gradually realized that the most powerful devices ever +constructed for controlling the ignorant and superstitious were in +their hands. Even the most highly cultured were not able wholly to +resist the weird and peculiar feeling which pervaded every community +where the Ku Klux appeared. Each week some new incident occurred to +illustrate the amazing power of the unknown over the minds of men of +all classes.</p> + +<p>Circumstances made it evident that the measures and methods employed +for sport might be effectually used to subserve the public welfare—to +suppress lawlessness and protect property. When propositions to this +effect began to be urged, there were many who hesitated, fearing +danger. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>The majority regarded such fears as groundless. They pointed +to the good results which had already been produced. The argument was +forcible—almost unanswerable. And the question was decided without +formal action. The very force of circumstances had carried the Klan +away from its original purpose. So that in the beginning of the summer +of 1867 it was virtually, though not yet professedly, a band of +regulators, honestly, but in an injudicious and dangerous way, trying +to protect property and preserve peace and order.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> + +<p>After all, the most powerful agency in effecting this transformation, +the agency which supplied the conditions under which the two causes +just mentioned became operative, was the peculiar state of affairs +existing at the South at that time.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>As every one knows, the condition of things was wholly anomalous, but +no one can fully appreciate the circumstances by which the people of +the South were surrounded except by personal observation and +experience; and no one who is not fully acquainted with all the facts +in the case is competent to pronounce a just judgment on their +behavior. On this account, not only the Ku Klux, but the mass of the +Southern people, have been tried, convicted and condemned at the bar of +public opinion, and have been denied the equity of having the sentence +modified by mitigating circumstances, which in justice, they have a +right to plead.</p> + +<p>At that time the throes of the great revolution were settling down to +quiet. The almost universal disposition of the better class of the +people was to accept the arbitrament which the sword had accorded them. +On this point there was practical unanimity. Those who had opportunity +and facilities to do so, engaged at once in agricultural, professional +or business pursuits. There was but little disposition to take part in +politics.</p> + +<p>But there were two causes of vexation and exasperation which the people +were in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>no good mood to bear. One of these causes related to that +class of men who, like scum, had been thrown to the surface in the +great upheaval.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> + +<p>It was not simply that they were Union men from conviction. That would +have been readily forgiven then, as can be shown by pointing to +hundreds of cases. But the majority of the class referred to had played +traitor to both sides, and were Union men now only because that was the +successful side. And worse than all, they were now engaged in keeping +alive discord and strife between the sections, as the only means of +preventing themselves from sinking back into the obscurity from which +they had been upheaved. Their conduct was malicious in the extreme and +exceedingly exasperating. These men were a "thorn in the flesh" of the +body, politic and social; and the effort to expel it set up an +inflammation which for a time awakened the gravest apprehensions as to +the result.</p> + +<p>The second disturbing element was the negroes. Their transition from +slavery to citizenship was sudden. They were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>not only not fitted for +the cares of self-control, and maintenance so suddenly thrust upon +them, but many of them entered their new role in life under the +delusion that freedom meant license. They regarded themselves as +freedmen, not only from bondage to former masters, but from the common +and ordinary obligations of citizenship. Many of them looked upon +obedience to the laws of the state—which had been framed by their +former owners—as in some measure a compromise of the rights with which +they had been invested. The administration of civil law was only +partially re-established. On that account, and for other reasons, there +was an amount of disorder and violence prevailing over the country +which has never been equaled at any period of its history. If the +officers of the law had had the disposition and ability to arrest all +law-breakers, a jail and court-house in every civil district would have +been required.</p> + +<p>The depredations on property by theft and by wanton destruction for the +gratification of petty revenge, were to the last degree annoying. A +large part of these depredations was the work of bad white <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>men, who +expected that their lawless deeds would be credited to the negroes. But +perhaps the most potent of all causes which brought about this +transformation was the existence in the South of a spurious and +perverted form of the "Union League."<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<p>It would be as unfair to this organization as it existed at the North, +to charge it with the outrages committed under cover of its name, as it +is to hold the Ku Klux Klan responsible for all the lawlessness and +violence with which it is credited.</p> + +<p>But it is a part of the history of those times that there was a +widespread and desperately active organization called the "Union +League." It was composed of the disorderly element of the negro +population and was led and controlled by white men of the basest and +meanest type just now referred to. They met frequently, went armed to +the teeth, and literally "breathed out threatening and slaughter." They +not only uttered, but <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>in many instances executed the most violent +threats against the persons, families and property of men, whose sole +crime was that they had been in the Confederate army. It cannot be +truthfully denied that the Ku Klux committed excesses and were charged +with wrongdoing. But they were never guilty of the disorderly and +unprovoked deeds of deviltry which mark the history of the Southern +"Union League." It was partly, I may say chiefly, to resist this +aggressive and belligerent organization that the Ku Klux transformed +themselves into a protective organization.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<p>Whatever may be the judgment of history, those who know the facts will +ever remain firm in the conviction that the Ku Klux Klan was of immense +service at this period of Southern history. Without it, in many +sections of the South, life to decent people would not have been +tolerable. It served a good purpose. Wherever the Ku Klux appeared the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>effect was salutary. For a while the robberies ceased. The lawless +class assumed the habits of good behavior.</p> + +<p>The "Union League" relaxed its desperate severity and became more +moderate. Under their fear of the dreaded Ku Klux, the negroes made +more progress, in a few months, in the needed lessons of self-control, +industry, and respect for the rights of property and general good +behavior, than they would have done in as many years, but for this or +some equally powerful impulse.</p> + +<p>It was a rough and a dangerous way to teach such lessons, but under all +the circumstances it seemed the only possible way.</p> + +<p>Of course, these men were trying a dangerous experiment. Many of them +knew it at the time, and did not expect it on the whole to turn out +more successfully than others of a similar character. But there seemed +to be no other alternative at the time. Events soon occurred which +showed that the fears of those who apprehended danger were not +groundless, and it became evident, unless the Klan should be brought +under better control <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>than its leaders at this time exercised over it, +that while it suppressed some evils, it would give rise to others +almost, if not fully, as great.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> It will be remembered that in March, 1867, the +Reconstruction Acts were passed and that in April, 1867, the +Reconstruction was beginning.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> "It originated with returned soldiers for the purpose of +punishing those negroes who had become notoriously and offensively +insolent to white people, and, in some cases, to chastise those white +skinned men who, at that particular time, showed a disposition to +affiliate socially with negroes. The impression sought to be made upon +these latter was that these white-robed night prowlers were the ghosts +of the Confederate dead, who had arisen from their graves in order to +wreak vengeance on an undesirable class of both white and black +men."—<i>Ryland Randolph.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> The class called "tories" during the Civil War. They +should not be confused with the genuine Unionists.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Sometimes called "Loyal League." See in regard to this +secret society—Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, Ch. +16, and (West Virginia University) Documents relating to +Reconstruction, No. 3.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> On this point the testimony of Generals Forrest, John B. +Gordon and E.W. Pettus, and J.A. Minnis, in the Ku Klux Report, is +instructive.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Pease, "In the Wake of War," (fiction) gives a very good +description of affairs in Tennessee by one who was thoroughly familiar +with conditions there.</p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER III.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>THE TRANSFORMATION.</h4> +<br /> + +<p>Until the beginning of the year 1867, the movements of the Klan had, in +the main, been characterized by prudence and discretion; but there were +some exceptions. In some cases there had been a liberal construction of +orders and of what was by common consent the law of the Klan. In some, +the limits, which tacitly it had been agreed upon not to pass, had been +overstepped.</p> + +<p>Attempts had been made to correct by positive means evils which menaces +had not been sufficient to remove. Rash, imprudent and bad men had +gotten into the order. The danger which the more prudent and thoughtful +had apprehended as possible was now a reality. Had it been possible to +do so, some of the leaders would have been in favor of disbanding. That +could not well be done, because at that time the organization was so +loose and imperfect. So to speak, the tie that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>bound them together was +too shadowy to be cut or untied. They had evoked a spirit from "the +vasty deep." It would not down at their bidding.</p> + +<p>And, besides, the Klan was needed. The only course which seemed to +promise any satisfactory solution of the difficulty was this: To +reorganize the Klan on a plan corresponding to its size and present +purposes; to bind the isolated dens together; to secure unity of +purpose and concert of action; to hedge the members up by such +limitations and regulations as were best adapted to restrain them +within proper limits; to distribute the authority among prudent men at +local centres, and exact from them a close supervision of those under +their charge.</p> + +<p>In this way it was hoped the impending dangers would be effectually +guarded against. With these objects in view the Grand Cyclops of the +Pulaski Den sent out a request to all the dens of which he had +knowledge, to appoint delegates to meet in convention at Nashville, +Tenn., in the early summer of 1867.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> At the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>time appointed this +convention was held. Delegates were present from Tennessee, Alabama, +and a number of other States. A plan of reorganization, previously +prepared, was submitted to this convention and adopted. After the +transaction of some further business, the convention adjourned, and the +delegates returned home without having attracted any attention.</p> + +<p>At this convention the territory covered by the Klan was designated as +the "Invisible Empire." This was subdivided into "realms" coterminous +with the boundaries of States. The "realms" were divided into +"dominions," corresponding to Congressional districts; the "dominions" +into "provinces" coterminous with counties; and the "provinces" into +"dens."</p> + +<p>To each of these departments officers were assigned.</p> + +<p>Except in the case of the supreme officer, the duties of each were +minutely specified.</p> + +<p>These officers were:</p> + +<p>The Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire and his ten Genii. The powers +of this officer were almost autocratic.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>The Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hydras.</p> + +<p>The Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies.</p> + +<p>The Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two Night Hawks.</p> + +<p>A Grand Monk.</p> + +<p>A Grand Scribe.</p> + +<p>A Grand Exchequer.</p> + +<p>A Grand Turk.</p> + +<p>A Grand Sentinel.</p> + +<p>The Genii, Hydras, Furies, Goblins and Night Hawks were staff officers. +The gradation and distribution of authority was perfect. But for one +source of weakness, the Klan, under this new organization, was one of +the most perfectly organized orders that ever existed in the world.</p> + +<p>As we shall see presently, it was vulnerable and failed because of the +character of its methods. Secrecy was at first its strength. It +afterwards became its greatest weakness. As long as mystery was +conjoined with it, it was strength. When masks and disguises ceased to +be mysterious, secrecy was weakness.</p> + +<p>One of the most important things done by this Nashville convention was +to make <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>a positive and emphatic declaration of the principles of the +order. It was in the following terms:</p> + +<p>"We recognize our relations to the United States Government; the +supremacy of the Constitution; the constitutional laws thereof; and the +union of States thereunder."</p> + +<p>If these men were plotting treason, it puzzles us to know why they +should make such a statement as that in setting forth the principles of +the order. The statement above quoted was not intended for general +circulation and popular effect. So far as is known, it is now given to +the public for the first time. We must regard it, therefore, as +accurately describing the political attitude which the Ku Klux proposed +and desired to maintain. Every man who became a member of the Klan +really took an oath to support the Constitution of the United States.</p> + +<p>This Nashville convention also defined and set forth the peculiar +objects of the order, as follows:<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>(1.) "To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from the +indignities, wrongs and outrages of the lawless, the violent and the +brutal; to relieve the injured and the oppressed; to succor the +suffering, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate +soldiers.</p> + +<p>(2.) "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and +all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States and +people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever.</p> + +<p>(3.) "To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land."</p> + +<p>This last clause was the result of the infamous and barbarous +legislation of that day. On the 3rd of June, 1865, the Thirty-fourth +General Assembly of Tennessee revived the sedition law and restricted +the right of suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> A negro <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>militia, ignorant and brutal, were +afterwards put over the State, and spread terror throughout its +borders. Men felt that they had no security for life, liberty, or +property. They were persecuted if they dared to complain. It was no +strange thing if they resorted to desperate measures for protection. +The emergency was desperate. Taking all the circumstances and +aggravations into consideration one cannot but be surprised that men so +persecuted and oppressed remained so moderate and forbearing.</p> + +<p>The legislation of the Nashville Convention of Ku Klux bears internal +evidence of what we know from other sources to be true. Whilst devising +measures for protection to life and property, and for the resistance of +lawlessness and oppression, whether from irresponsible parties or from +those who professed to be acting legally and under cover of authority, +they were anxious also to control the Klan itself and to keep it within +what they conceived to be safe limits.</p> + +<p>Up to this time the majority had shown a fair appreciation of the +responsibilities of their self-imposed task of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>preserving social +order. But under any circumstances the natural tendency of an +organization such as this is to violence and crime—much more under +such circumstances as those then prevailing.</p> + +<p>Excesses had been committed. Whether justly so or not, they were +credited to the Klan. And it was foreseen and feared that if such +things continued or increased the hostility of State and Federal +Governments would be kindled against the Klan and active measures taken +to suppress it. The hope was entertained that the legislations taken by +the convention and the reorganization would not only enable the Klan to +enact its <i>role</i> as Regulators with greater success, but would keep its +members within the prescribed limits, and so guard against the +contingencies referred to. They desired on the one hand, to restrain +and control their own members; on the other to correct evils and +promote order in society; and to do the latter <i>solely</i> by utilizing +for this purpose the means and methods originally employed for +amusement. In each direction the success was but partial, as will be +told presently.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>By the reorganization no material change was made in the methods of the +Klan's operations. Some of the old methods were slightly modified; a +few new features were added. The essential features of mystery, secrecy +and grotesqueness were retained, and steps were taken with a view to +deepening and intensifying the impressions already made upon the public +mind. They attempted to push to the extreme limits of illustration the +power of the mysterious over the minds of men.</p> + +<p>Henceforth they courted publicity as assiduously as they had formerly +seemed to shun it. They appeared at different points at the same time, +and always when and where they were the least expected. Devices were +multiplied to deceive people in regard to their numbers and everything +else, and to play upon the fears of the superstitious.</p> + +<p>As it was now the policy of the Klan to appear in public, an order was +issued by the Grand Dragon of the Realm of Tennessee to the Grand +Giants of the Provinces for a general parade in the capital town of +each Province on the night of the 4th of July, 1867. It will be +sufficient for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>this narrative to describe that parade as witnessed by +the citizens of Pulaski. Similar scenes were enacted at many other +places.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 4th of July, 1867, the citizens of Pulaski found +the sidewalks thickly strewn with slips of paper bearing the printed +words:<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> "The Ku Klux will parade the streets to-night." This +announcement created great excitement. The people supposed that their +curiosity, so long baffled, would now be gratified. They were confident +that this parade would at least afford them the opportunity to find out +who were the Ku Klux.</p> + +<p>Soon after nightfall the streets were lined with an expectant and +excited throng of people. Many came from the surrounding country. The +members of the Klan in the county left their homes in the afternoon and +traveled alone or in squads of two or three, with their paraphernalia +carefully concealed. If questioned, they answered that they were going +to Pulaski to see the Ku Klux parade. After <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>nightfall they assembled +at designated points near the four main roads leading into town. Here +they donned their robes and disguises and put covers of gaudy materials +on their horses. A skyrocket sent up from some point in the town was +the signal to mount and move. The different companies met and passed +each other on the public square in perfect silence; the discipline +appeared to be admirable.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> Not a word was spoken. Necessary orders +were given by means of the whistles. In single file, in death-like +stillness, with funeral slowness, they marched and counter-marched +throughout the town. While the column was headed North on one street it +was going South on another. By crossing over in opposite directions the +lines were kept up in almost unbroken continuity. The effect was to +create the impression of vast numbers. This marching and +counter-marching was kept up for about two hours, and the Klan departed +as noiselessly as they came. The public were more than ever mystified. +Curiosity had not been satisfied, as it was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>expected it would be. The +efforts of the most curious and cunning to find out who were Ku Klux +failed. One gentleman from the country, a great lover of horses, who +claimed to know every horse in the county, was confident that he would +be able to identify the riders by the horses. With this purpose in +view, he remained in town to witness the parade. But, as we have said, +the horses were disguised as well as the riders. Determined not to be +baffled, during a halt of the column he lifted the cover of a horse +that was near him—the rider offering no objection—and recognized his +own steed and saddle upon which he had ridden into town. The town +people were on the alert also to see who of the young men of the town +would be with the Ku Klux. All of them, almost without exception, were +marked, mingling freely and conspicuously with the spectators. Those of +them who were members of the Klan did not go into the parade.</p> + +<p>This demonstration had the effect for which it was designed. Perhaps +the greatest illusion produced by it was in regard to the numbers +participating in it. Reputable citizens—men of cool and accurate +judgment—were confident that the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>number was not less than three +thousand. Others, whose imaginations were more easily wrought upon, +were quite certain there were ten thousand. The truth is, that the +number of Ku Klux in the parade did not exceed four hundred. This +delusion in regard to numbers prevailed wherever the Ku Klux appeared. +It illustrates how little the testimony of even an eye-witness is worth +in regard to anything which makes a deep impression on him by reason of +its mysteriousness.</p> + +<p>The Klan had a large membership; it exerted a vast, terrifying and +wholesome power; but its influence was never at any time dependent on, +or proportioned to, its membership. It was in the mystery in which the +comparatively few enshrouded themselves. Gen. Forrest, before the +Investigating Committee, placed the number of Ku Klux in Tennessee at +40,000,<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> and in the entire South at 550,000. This was with him only +a guessing estimate.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>Careful investigation leads to the conclusion +that he overshoots the mark in both cases. It is an error to suppose +that the entire male population of the South were Ku Klux, or that even +a majority of them were privy to its secrets and in sympathy with its +extremest measures. To many of them, perhaps to a majority, the Ku Klux +Klan was as vague, impersonal and mysterious as to the people of the +North, or of England. They did attribute to it great good and to this +day remember with gratitude the protection it afforded them in the most +trying and perilous period of their history, when there was no other +earthly source to which to appeal.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep097" id="imagep097"></a> +<a href="images/imagep097.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep097.jpg" width="43%" alt="Costumes" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen sc" style="margin-top: .2em;">Costumes Worn in Tennessee and North Alabama<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 97</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>One or two illustrations may here be given of the methods resorted to +to play upon the superstitious fears of the negroes and others.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> At +the parade in Pulaski, while the procession was passing a corner on +which a negro man was standing, a tall horseman in hideous garb turned +aside from the line, dismounted, and stretched out his bridle rein +toward the negro, as if he desired him to hold his horse. Not daring to +refuse, the frightened African extended his hand to grasp the rein. As +he did so, the Ku Klux took his own head from his shoulders and offered +to place that also in the outstretched hand. The negro stood not upon +the order of his going, but departed with a yell of terror. To this day +he will tell you: "He done it, suah, boss. I seed him do it." The gown +was fastened by a draw-string over the top of the wearer's head. Over +this was worn an artificial skull made of a large gourd or of +pasteboard. This with the hat could be readily removed, and the man +would then appear to be headless. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>Such tricks gave rise to the +belief—still prevalent among the negroes—that the Ku Klux could take +themselves all to pieces whenever they wanted to.</p> + +<p>Some of the Ku Klux carried skeleton hands. These were made of bone or +wood with a handle long enough to be held in the hand, which was +concealed by the gown sleeve. The possessor of one of these was +invariably of a friendly turn and offered to shake hands with all he +met, with what effect may be readily imagined.</p> + +<p>A trick of frequent perpetration in the country was for a horseman, +spectral and ghostly looking, to stop before the cabin of some negro +needing a wholesome impression and call for a bucket of water. If a +dipper or gourd was brought it was declined, and the bucket full of +water demanded. As if consumed by raging thirst the horseman grasped it +and pressed it to his lips. He held it there till every drop of the +water was poured into a gum or oiled sack concealed beneath the Ku Klux +robe. Then the empty bucket was returned to the amazed negro with the +remark: "That's good. It is the first drink of water I have had since I +was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>killed at Shiloh." Then a few words of counsel as to future +behavior made an impression not easily forgotten or likely to be +disregarded.</p> + +<p>Under ordinary circumstances such devices are unjustifiable. But in the +peculiar state of things then existing they served a good purpose. It +was not only better to deter the negroes from theft and other +lawlessness in this way than to put them in the penitentiary; but it +was the only way, at this time, by which they could be controlled. The +jails would not contain them. The courts could not or would not try +them. The policy of the Klan all the while was to deter men from +wrongdoing. It was only in rare, exceptional cases, and these the most +aggravated, that it undertook to punish.<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> "In the spring of 1867," says Wilson in the <i>Century +Magazine</i>, July, 1884. May was the month of meeting. This was just +after the Reconstruction Acts had been passed.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> I am convinced that the authors are mistaken in saying +that the first convention adopted the Prescript containing these +declarations. The Prescript adopted was the one reproduced in Appendix +I. The other one, reproduced in Appendix II, was adopted, it is +believed, in 1868.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Ex-Confederates were practically all excluded from the +suffrage.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Notices were posted in every public place, and even +pasted on the backs of hogs and cows running loose in the +streets.—<i>Miss Cora R. Jones.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Most members of the Klan had been Confederate soldiers +and were familiar with military drill and discipline.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> A later estimate places the membership of Ku Klux Klan at +72,000 in Tennessee alone.—<i>Washington Post, August 13, 1905.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Forrest denied that he had made such an estimate. There +were many other orders similar to Ku Klux Klan and the total membership +was probably about half a million.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> It made the women feel safer. "And then came the reign of +martial law, and the Freedmen's Bureau. Those dark days of the +Reconstruction period rapidly followed the horrors of civil war, and +the reign of the carpetbagger began, goading the people to desperation. +For their protection the younger and more reckless men of the community +now formed a secret society, which masqueraded at night in grotesque +and grewsome character called the Ku Klux Klan. Always silent and +mysterious, mounted on horses, they swept noiselessly by in the +darkness with gleaming death's heads, skeletons and chains. It struck +terror into the heart of the evil-doer, while the peaceful citizen knew +a faithful patrol had guarded his premises while he slept."—<i>Mrs. +Stubbs, in "Saunders' Early Settlers of Alabama</i>," p. 31.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> A practice not mentioned here was that of sending out the +peculiar warnings and orders, specimens of which are printed in +Appendix IV.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> "We had regular meetings about once a week, at which the +conduct of certain offensive characters would be discussed, and if the +majority voted to punish such it would be accordingly done on certain +prescribed nights. Sometimes it was deemed necessary only to post +notices of warning, which, in some cases, were sufficient to alarm the +victims sufficiently to induce them to reform in their +behavior."—<i>Ryland Randolph.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER IV.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>THE DECLINE.</h4> +<br /> + +<p>For a while after the reorganization of the Klan, those concerned for +its welfare and right conduct congratulated themselves that all was now +well. Closer organization and stricter official supervision had a +restraining influence upon the members. Many things seemed to indicate +that the future work of the Klan would be wholly good.</p> + +<p>These hopes were rudely shattered. Ere long official supervision grew +less rigid or was less regarded. The membership was steadily +increasing. Among the new material added were some bad men who could +not be—at least were not—controlled.</p> + +<p>In the winter and spring of 1867 and 1868 many things were done by +members, or professed members, of the Klan, which were the subject of +universal regret and condemnation. In many ways the grave <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>censure of +those who had hitherto been friendly to it was evoked against the Klan, +and occasion, long sought for, was given its enemies to petition the +intervention of the government to suppress it. The end came rapidly. We +must now trace the causes which wrought the decay and downfall of the +"Invisible Empire."</p> + +<p>In regard to the doings of the Ku Klux two extreme positions have been +advocated. On the one hand, it is asserted that the Ku Klux committed +no outrages. On the other, that they were the authors of all the +depredations committed by masked and disguised men in the Southern +States from 1865 to 1869. The truth lies between these two extremes. +Great outrages were committed by bands of disguised men during those +years of lawlessness and oppression. And the fact must be admitted that +some of these outrages were committed, if not by the order and +approbation of the Klan, at least by men who were members of it.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> + +<p>The thoughtful reader will readily understand how this came about.</p> + +<p>There was a cause which naturally and almost necessarily produced the +result. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>Men of the character of the majority of those who composed the +Klan do not disregard their own professed principles and violate +self-assumed obligations without cause. We have seen that the Klan was +in the main composed of the very best men in the country—peaceable, +law-loving and law-abiding men—men of good habits and character—men +of property and intelligence.</p> + +<p>We have seen that the organization had no political significance; they +expressly and in solemn secret compact declared their allegiance to the +constitution and all constitutional laws, and pledged themselves to aid +in the administration of all such laws. To see such men defying law and +creating disorder, is a sight singular enough to awake inquiry as to +the causes which had been at work upon them. The transformation of the +Ku Klux Klan, from a band of regulators, honestly trying to preserve +peace and order, into the body of desperate men who, in 1869, convulsed +the country and set at defiance the mandates of both State and Federal +governments, is greater than the transformation which we have already +traced.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>In both cases there were causes at work adequate to the results +produced; causes from which, as remarked before, the results followed +naturally and necessarily.</p> + +<p>These have never been fully and fairly stated. They may be classed +under three general heads: (1). Unjust charges. (2). Misapprehension of +the nature and objects of the order on the part of those not members of +it. (3). Unwise and over-severe legislation.</p> + +<p>As has already been pointed out, the order contained within itself, by +reason of the methods practiced, sources of weakness. The devices and +disguises by which the Klan deceived outsiders enabled all who were so +disposed, even its own members, to practice deception on the Klan +itself. It placed in the hands of its own members the facility to do +deeds of violence for the gratification of personal feeling, and have +them credited to the Klan. To evilly-disposed men membership in the +Klan was an inducement to wrongdoing. It presented to all men a +dangerous temptation, which, in certain contingencies at any time +likely to arise, it required a considerable amount of moral robustness +to resist. Many did not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>withstand it. And deeds of violence were done +by men who were Ku Klux, but who, while acting under cover of their +connection with the Klan, were not under its orders. But because these +men were Ku Klux, the Klan had to bear the odium of wrongdoing.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p> + +<p>In addition to this, the very class which the Klan proposed to hold in +check and awe into good behavior, soon became wholly unmanageable. +Those who had formerly committed depredations to be laid to the charge +of the negroes, after a brief interval of good behavior, assumed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>the +guise of Ku Klux and returned to their old ways, but with less boldness +and more caution, showing the salutary impression which the Klan had +made upon them. In some cases the negroes played Ku Klux. Outrages were +committed by masked men in regions far remote from any Ku Klux +organizations. The parties engaged took pains to assert that they were +Ku Klux, <i>which the members of the Klan never did</i>. This was evidence +that these parties were simply aping Ku Klux disguises. The proof on +this point is ample and clear. After the passage of the Anti Ku Klux +Statute by the State of Tennessee, several instances occurred of +parties being arrested in Ku Klux disguises; but in every instance they +proved to be either negroes or "radical" Brownlow Republicans. This +occurred so often that the statute was allowed by the party in power to +become a dead letter before its repeal. It bore too hard on "loyal" men +when enforced.</p> + +<p>The same thing occurred in Georgia and other States. (See testimony of +General Gordon and others before the Investigating Committee.)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span><i>No single instance occurred of the arrest of a masked man who proved +to be—when stripped of his disguises—a Ku Klux.</i></p> + +<p>But it came to pass that all the disorder done in the country was +charged upon the Ku Klux, because done under disguises which they had +invented and used. The Klan had no way in which to disprove or refute +the charges. They felt that it was hard to be charged with violence of +which they were innocent. At the same time they felt that it was +natural, and, under the circumstances, not wholly unjust that this +should be the case. They had assumed the office of Regulators. It was +therefore due society, due themselves, and due the Government, which, +so far, had not molested them, that they should, at least, not afford +the lawless classes facilities for the commission of excesses greater +than any they had hitherto indulged in, and above all, that they should +restrain their own members from lawlessness.</p> + +<p>The Klan felt all this; and in its efforts to relieve itself of the +stigma thus incurred, it acted in some cases against the offending +parties with a severity well <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>merited, no doubt, but unjustifiable.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> +As is frequently the case they were carried beyond the limits of +prudence and right by a hot zeal for self-vindication against unjust +aspersions.</p> + +<p>They felt that the charge of wrong was unfairly brought against them. +To clear themselves of the charge they did worse wrong than that +alleged against them.</p> + +<p>The Klan from the first shrouded itself in deepest mystery; out of this +fact grew trouble not at first apprehended. They wished people not to +understand. They tried to keep them profoundly ignorant. The result was +that the Klan and its objects were wholly misunderstood and +misinterpreted. Many who joined the Klan and many who did not, were +certain it contemplated something far more important than its overt +acts gave evidence of. Some were sure it meant treason and revolution. +The negroes and the whites whose consciences made them the subjects of +guilty fears, were sure it boded no good to them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>When the first impressions of awe and terror which the Klan had +inspired, to some extent, wore off, a feeling of intense hostility +towards the Ku Klux followed. This feeling was the more bitter because +founded, not on overt acts which the Ku Klux had done, but on vague +fears and surmises as to what they intended to do. Those who +entertained such fears were in some cases impelled by them to become +the aggressors. They attacked the Ku Klux before receiving from them +any provocation. The negroes formed organizations of a military +character and drilled by night, and even appeared in the day armed and +threatening. The avowed purpose of these organizations was "to make war +upon and exterminate the Ku Klux." On several occasions the Klan was +fired into. The effect of such attacks was to provoke counter hostility +from the Klan, and so there was irritation and counter-irritation, +till, in some places, the state of things was little short of open +warfare. In some respects it was worse; the parties wholly +misunderstood each other. Each party felt that its cause was the just +one. Each justified its deed by the provocation.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>The Ku Klux, intending wrong, as they believed, to no one, were +aggrieved that acts which they had not done should be charged to them; +and motives which they did not entertain imputed to them and outraged +that they should be molested and assaulted. The other party satisfied +that they were acting in self-defense felt fully justified in +assaulting them, and so each goaded the other on from one degree of +exasperation to another.</p> + +<p>The following extracts from a general order of the Grand Dragon of the +Realm of Tennessee will illustrate the operation of both these causes. +It was issued in the fall of the year 1868. It shows what were the +principles and objects which the Klan still professed, and it also +shows how it was being forced away from them:</p> + +<div class="block2"> +<p class="right2"> +<span class="sc">Headquarters Realm No. 1</span>,}<br /> +<span class="sc">Dreadful Era, Black Epoch</span>,}<br /> +<span class="sc">Dreadful Hour.</span>}<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noin"><i>General Order No. 1.</i></p> + +<p><span class="sc">Whereas</span>, Information of an authentic character has +reached these headquarters that the blacks in the counties of +Marshall, Maury, Giles and Lawrence are organized into military +companies, with the avowed purpose to make war upon and +exterminate the Ku Klux Klan, said blacks are hereby <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>solemnly +warned and ordered to desist from further action in such +organizations, if they exist.</p> + +<p>The G. D. [Grand Dragon] regrets the necessity of such an order. +But this Klan shall not be outraged and interfered with by +lawless negroes and meaner white men, who do not and never have +understood our purposes.</p> + +<p>In the first place this Klan is not an institution of violence, +lawlessness and cruelty; it is not lawless; it is not +aggressive; it is not military; it is not revolutionary.</p> + +<p>It is, essentially, originally and inherently a protective +organization. It proposes to execute law instead of resisting +it; and to protect all good men, whether white or black, from +the outrages and atrocities of bad men of both colors, who have +been for the past three years a terror to society, and an injury +to us all.</p> + +<p>The blacks seem to be impressed with the belief that this Klan +is especially their enemy. We are not the enemy of the blacks, +as long as they behave themselves, make no threats upon us, and +do not attack or interfere with us.</p> + +<p>But if they make war upon us they must abide the awful +retribution that will follow.</p> + +<p>This Klan, while in its peaceful movements, and disturbing no +one, has been fired into three times. This will not be endured +any longer; and if it occurs again, and the parties be +discovered, a remorseless vengeance will be wreaked upon them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>We reiterate that we are for peace and law and order. No man, +white or black, shall be molested for his political sentiments. +This Klan is not a political party; it is not a military party; +it is a protective organization, and will never use violence +except in resisting violence.</p> + +<p>Outrages have been perpetrated by irresponsible parties in the +name of this Klan. Should such parties be apprehended, they will +be dealt with in a manner to insure us future exemption from +such imposition. These impostors have, in some instances, +whipped negroes. This is wrong! wrong! It is denounced by this +Klan as it must be by all good and humane men.</p> + +<p>The Klan now, as in the past, is prohibited from doing such +things. We are striving to protect all good, peaceful, +well-disposed and law-abiding men, whether white or black.</p> + +<p>The G. D. deems this order due to the public, due to the Klan, +and due to those who are misguided and misinformed. We, +therefore, request that all newspapers who are friendly to law, +and peace, and the public welfare, will publish the same.</p> + +<p class="right2">By order of the G. D., Realm No. 1.<br /> +<span style="padding-right: 5%;">By the Grand Scribe.</span></p> +</div> + +<p>This order doubtless expresses the principles which the Klan, as a +body, was honestly trying to maintain. It also illustrates how they +were driven to violate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>them by the very earnestness and vehemence with +which they attempted to maintain them.</p> + +<p>The question naturally arises, Why, under the embarrassing +circumstances, did not the Klan disband and close its operations?<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> +The answer is, that the members felt that there was now more reasons +than ever for the Klan's existence. They felt that they ought not to +abandon their important and needful work because they encountered +unforeseen difficulties in accomplishing it. It is an illustration of +the fatuity which sometimes marks the lives of men that they did not +perceive what seems perfectly clear and plain to others. Nothing is +more certain than that a part of the evils which the Klan was combating +at this period of its history grew out of their own methods, and might +be expected to continue as long as the Klan existed. Men are not always +wise. But even in cases where their conduct does not permit of +vindication and excuse, justice requires that a fair and truthful +statement be made of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>temptations and embarrassments which +surrounded them. Placing all the circumstances before us fully, who of +us is prepared to say that we would have acted with more wisdom and +discretion than these men?</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep113" id="imagep113"></a> +<a href="images/imagep113.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep113.jpg" width="45%" alt="Carpetbaggers Listening to a Ku Klux Report" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="sc">Carpetbaggers Listening to a Ku Klux Report</span><br /> +Coon and Sibly of the Alabama Legislature. Cartoon from Screw's "Lost Legislature."<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">FACING PAGE 113</span><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p>Matters grew worse and worse, till it was imperatively necessary that +there should be interference on the part of the Government. In +September, 1868, the Legislature of Tennessee, in obedience to the call +of Governor Brownlow, assembled in extra session and passed a most +stringent and bloody anti-Ku Klux statute.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> This was the culmination +of a long series of the most infamous legislations which ever disgraced +a statute book.</p> + +<p>It began in 1865, as we have seen, in the passage of the alien and +sedition act, and grew worse and worse till the passage of the anti-Ku +Klux statute in 1868. Sixteen years have passed since then, and many +into whose hands this book will <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>come have never seen the "Anti-Ku Klux +Law." We quote it entire, to show the character of the legislation of +those times as well as for the sake of its bearing on the matter in +hand:</p> + +<div class="block1"><p><span class="sc">Sec. 1.</span> <i>Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of +Tennessee</i>, That if any person or persons shall unite with, +associate with, promote or encourage any secret organization of +persons who shall prowl through the country or towns of this +State, by day or by night, disguised or otherwise, for the +purpose of disturbing the peace, or alarming the peaceable +citizens of any portion of this State, on conviction by any +tribunal of this State, shall be fined not less than five +hundred dollars, imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than +five years, and shall be rendered infamous.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That it shall be the +duty of all the courts in this State, before the impaneling of +any grand jury or petit jury in any cause whatever, to inquire +of the juror, on oath, whether he shall be associated in any way +obnoxious to the first section of this act; and if such juror +shall decline to give a voluntary answer, or shall answer +affirmatively, such persons shall be disqualified as a juror in +any case in any court in this State.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That, for the purpose +of facilitating the execution of the provisions of this act, it +shall be the duty <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>of the Prosecuting Attorneys of this State or +grand jurors, or either of them, to summons or cause to be +summoned, any persons he shall have a well-grounded belief has +any knowledge of such organization as described by the first +section of this act, and if any person shall fail or refuse to +obey such summons, or shall appear and refuse to testify, such +persons so summoned shall suffer the penalty imposed by the +first section of this act; and if such witness shall avoid the +service of said subpœna or summons, the sheriff, or other +officer, shall return such fact on said process, when the court +shall order a copy of said process to be left at the last place +of residence of such persons sought to be summoned; and if such +person shall fail to appear according to the command of said +process, said court shall enter a judgment <i>nisi</i> against such +person for the sum of five hundred dollars, for which <i>sci. fa.</i> +shall issue, as in other cases of forfeiture of subpœna.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That no prosecutor +shall be required on any indictment under the provisions of this +act; and all the courts of the State shall give a remedial +construction to the same; and that no presentment or indictment +shall be quashed, or declared insufficient for want of form.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That it shall be the +duty of all the courts of this State, at every term, for two +years from and after the passage of this act, to call before <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>it +all the officers thereof, who shall be sworn, and have this act +read or explained to them; and the court shall ask said officers +if they shall have any knowledge of any person of the State, or +out of it, that shall be guilty of any of the offenses contained +in this act, and that, if at any time they shall come to such +knowledge, or shall have a well-grounded belief that any person +or persons shall be guilty of a violation of this act or any of +its provisions, that they will immediately, inform the +Prosecuting Attorney for the State thereof; and if such +Prosecuting Attorney, upon being so informed, shall fail, +refuse, or neglect to prosecute such person or persons so +informed on, he shall be subject to the same penalties imposed +by the first section of this act, and shall be stricken from the +roll of attorneys in said court.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any officer, +or other person, shall inform any other person that he or she is +to be summoned as a witness under any of the provisions of this +act, or any other statute or law of this State, with the intent +and for the purpose of defeating any of the provisions of this +act, or any criminal law of this State; or if any officer, +clerk, sheriff or constable shall refuse or fail to perform any +of the duties imposed by this act, upon conviction, shall suffer +the penalties by the first section of this act, and shall be +disqualified from holding office in this State for two years.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person +shall voluntarily inform on any person guilty of any of the +provisions of this act, upon conviction such informant shall be +entitled and receive one-half of the fine imposed; and if any +officer, three-fourths.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person, +guilty of any of the provisions or offenses enumerated in this +act, that shall appear before any jury or prosecuting officer of +the State, and shall inform him or them of any offense committed +by any person or persons against the criminal laws of this +State, such person or witness shall not be bound to answer to +any charge for the violation of any provisions of any law about +which such person or witness shall be examined; and the court +shall protect such witness from any prosecution whatever.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That where any process +shall be issued against the person of any citizen in any county +of this State, for any violation of the provisions of this act, +and such shall be returned not executed, for any cause whatever, +by the sheriff or other officer, to the court from which it was +issued, with an affidavit appended thereto, plainly setting +forth the reason for the non-execution of such process, then it +shall be the duty of the clerk, without delay, to issue an +<i>alias capias</i> to the same county, if the home of the defendant +shall be in said county, either in part or in whole, when said +sheriff or other officer shall give notice to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>the inhabitants +of said county by posting such notice at the court-house of said +county, of the existence of said capias; and if the inhabitants +of such county shall permit such defendant to be or to live in +said county, in part or in whole, the inhabitants shall be +subject to an assessment of not less than five hundred dollars, +nor more than five thousand dollars, at the discretion of the +court, which said assessment shall be made in the following +manner, to-wit: When the sheriff or other officer shall return +his <i>alias capias</i>, showing that said defendant is an inhabitant +of said county, in part or in whole, and that the citizens +thereof have failed or refused to arrest said defendant, which +every citizen is hereby authorized to do or perform. Said court +shall order <i>sci. fa.</i> to issue to the proper officer to make +known to the chairman, judge, or other presiding officer of the +County Court, to appear and show cause why final judgment should +not have been entered up accordingly; which, if any County Court +fails or refuses to do and perform, any judge, in vacation, +shall grant a <i>mandamus</i> to compel said County Court to assess +and collect said assessment, to be paid into the State treasury +for the benefit of the school fund; provided, said assessment +shall not be made of the sheriff or other officer, upon the +return of the original, or <i>alias</i> writs, show cause why the +same cannot be executed, which may be done by his affidavit and +two respectable witnesses known to the court as such.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That all the +inhabitants in this State shall be authorized to arrest any +person defendant, under the provisions of this act, in any +county in this State without process.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 11.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person or +persons shall write, publish, advise, entreat or persuade, +privately or publicly, any class of persons, or any individual, +to resist any of the laws of this State calculated to molest or +disturb the good people and peaceable citizens of the State, +such persons shall be subject to the penalties of the first +section of this act; and if an attorney at law, he shall be +stricken from the roll of attorneys and be prevented from +practicing in any court in this State.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 12.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person +shall make threats against any elector or person authorized to +exercise the elective franchise, with the intention of +intimidating or preventing such person or persons from attending +any election in this State, they shall be subject to the +penalties inflicted by the first section of this act.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 13.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person or +persons shall attempt to break up any election in this State, or +advise the same to be done, with a view of preventing the lawful +or qualified citizens of this State from voting, they shall be +subject to the penalties prescribed by the first section of this +act; and the attorney of the State in all convictions under the +provisions of this act, shall be entitled to a tax fee of one +hundred <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>dollars, to be taxed in the bill of costs, and to be +paid by the defendant. And the attorney prosecuting for the +State shall keep all information given him a secret, unless it +shall be necessary, in the opinion of the court, that the same +should be made public.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 14.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That it shall be the +duty of all the judges in this State to read this act to the +grand juries, and give it especially in charge to said juries.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 15.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That the treasurer of +this State shall not be authorized to pay any judge in this +State any salary, or to any clerk, sheriff, or attorney, any fee +or bill of costs that may accrue to such parties under the +provisions of this act, until such judge or other officer shall +have filed with the comptroller or treasurer an affidavit +plainly setting forth that he has fully complied with the +provisions of this act.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 16.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person or +citizen of this State shall voluntarily feed, or lodge, or +entertain, or conceal in the woods, or elsewhere, any offender +known to such person to be charged with any criminal offense +under this act, such person shall suffer the penalty prescribed +by the first section of this act; provided, that this section +shall not apply to persons who, under the ancient law, might +feed or conceal the party charged.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 17.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person, +guilty of any of the offenses enumerated in this act, shall +have, own or possess any real estate held by deed, or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>grant, or +entry, or by fee, or entail in law, or equity, the same shall be +bound for costs, fines or penalties imposed by any of the +provisions of this act; and a lien is hereby declared to attach +to all estates in law or equity, as above, dating from the day +or night of the commission of the offense, which fact may be +found by the jury trying the cause, or any other jury impaneled +for that purpose; and if in the opinion of the court the +defendant has evaded the law, the jury shall find such fact, and +the estate of the defendant shall be made liable for the costs +of the State; and there shall be no limitation to the recovery +of the same.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 18.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person or +persons shall be guilty of a violation of any of the provisions +of this act, to the prejudice or injury of any individual, the +jury trying the defendant shall, or may find such fact with the +amount of injury sustained, which shall be paid to the injured +party or person entitled to the same, by the laws of descent of +this State, with all costs, and who shall have the same lien on +the property of the defendant that is possessed or given to the +State by this act.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 19.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That if any person +shall knowingly make or cause to be made, any uniform or +regalia, in part or in whole, by day or night, or shall be found +in possession of the same, he, she or they shall be fined at the +discretion of the court, and shall be rendered infamous.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span><span class="sc">Sec. 20.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That in addition to +the oath prescribed by the constitution and oath of office, +every public officer shall swear that he has never been a member +of the organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, or other +disguised body of men contrary to the laws of the State, and +that he has neither directly nor indirectly aided, encouraged, +supported, or in any manner countenanced said organization.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 21.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That the attorneys or +prosecuting officers for the State, shall be entitled to and +receive five per cent, on all forfeitures or assessments made by +this act, on compensations to be paid by the defendant.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 22.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That the standard of +damages for injuries to individuals shall be as follows: For +disturbing any of the officers of the State or other person, by +entering the house or houses, or place of residence of any such +individual in the night, in a hostile manner, or against his +will, the sum of ten thousand dollars; and it shall be lawful +for the person so assailed to kill the assailant. For killing +any individual in the night twenty thousand dollars; provided, +such person killed was peaceable at that time. That all other +injuries shall be assessed by the court and jury in proportion; +and the court trying said causes may grant as many new trials as +may, in his opinion, be necessary to attain the end of justice.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span><span class="sc">Sec. 23.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That all persons +present, and not giving immediate information on the offenders, +shall be regarded as guilty of a misdemeanor against the law, +and shall be punished accordingly.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 24.</span> <i>Be it further enacted</i>, That it shall not be +lawful for any persons to publish any proffered or pretended +order of said secret, unlawful clans; and any person convicted +under any of the provisions of this act, shall not claim, hold, +or possess any property, real or personal, exempt from +execution, fine, penalty or costs, under this act; provided, +that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to +prevent or exempt any person heretofore guilty of any of the +offenses herein contained from prosecution under the law as it +now stands. This act to take effect from after its passage.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p></div> + +<p>The same legislature passed a bill authorizing the Governor to +organize, equip and call into active service, at his discretion, a +volunteer force, to be known as the Tennessee State Guards; to be +composed of one or more regiments from each congressional district of +the State; provided always that said Tennessee State Guards shall be +composed of loyal men.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>And it was further provided by the "Militia Law," that upon the +representation of "ten Union men, or three Justices of the Peace in any +county in the State," that the presence of these troops were needed, +that the Governor might declare martial law in such counties, and send +thither troops in such numbers as, in his judgment, were necessary for +the preservation of peace and order. And it was provided that the +expense of these troops to the State should be collected from the +counties where they were quartered.</p> + +<p>The reader has now some insight into the character of the legislation +direct against the Ku Klux. He will not only note the general severity +and harshness of it, but the following features in particular:</p> + +<p>(1). The anti-Ku Klux statute was <i>ex post facto</i>, as expressly +declared by Section 24 of it. (2). It presented no way in which a man +could relieve himself from liability to it, except by turning informer, +and as an inducement to do this a large bribe was offered. (3). It +encouraged strife, by making every inhabitant of the State an officer +extraordinary with power "to arrest without process" when he had ground +to suspect. (4). It <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>must be remembered that in those days in Tennessee +"to be loyal" had a very limited meaning. It meant simply to be a +subservient tool and supporter of Governor Brownlow. If a man was not +that, no matter what his past record, or what his political opinion, he +was not "loyal." (5). While the law professed to be aimed at the +suppression of all lawlessness, it was not so construed and enforced by +the party in power. The "Union" or "Loyal" League was never molested, +though this organization met frequently, and its members appeared by +day and by night, armed, threatening and molesting the life and +property of as peaceable and quiet citizens as any in the State. No +attempt was ever made to arrest men except in Ku Klux disguises. But as +before remarked there is no instance on record of a Ku Klux being +arrested, tried and convicted. Invariably the party arrested while +depredating as Ku Klux turned out to be, when stripped of their +disguises, "loyal" men.</p> + +<p>In some sections of the State a perfect reign of terror followed this +anti-Ku Klux statute. The members of the Klan were now in the attitude +of men fighting for life and liberty. Hundreds, perhaps <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>thousands, of +them were not lawbreakers, and did not desire to be. There had been no +law against association with the Klan; they had conceived and done no +wrong during their connection with it. They had had no participation in +or knowledge of the excesses in which some of the Klan had indulged or +were charged with having indulged in. But now their previous connection +with the Klan was made a penal offense; and they had no hope except on +terms which to men of honor and right principle were more odious than +death.</p> + +<p>These men were made infamous, made liable to fine and imprisonment, +exposed to arrest without process by any malicious negro or mean white +man; and even their wives and children were outlawed and exposed to the +same indignities; and it is no strange thing if they were driven to the +very verge of desperation. It is not denied that they did many things +for which the world has been exceedingly slow to accept apology or +excuse. But history is challenged to furnish an instance of a people +bearing gross wrong and brutal outrage perpetrated in the name of law +and loyalty with patience, forbearance or forgiveness, comparable to +that exhibited <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>by the people of the Southern States, and especially of +Tennessee, during what is called the "Reconstruction period," and +since.</p> + +<p>There may be in their conduct some things to regret, and some to +condemn; but he who gets a full understanding of their surroundings, +social, civil and political, if he is not incapable of noble sentiment, +will also find many things to awaken his sympathy and call forth his +admiration.</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> See Major Crowe's statement on p. 22.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> "At this late day (1901) I am gratified to be able to say +that my company did much good service to Tuscaloosa county. Had these +organizations confined their operations to their legitimate object, +viz: Punishing impudent negroes and negro-loving whites, then their +performances would have effected only good. Unfortunately, the Klan +began to degenerate into a vile means of wreaking revenge for personal +dislikes or personal animosities, and in this way many outrages were +perpetrated, ultimately resulting in casting so much well-deserved +odium on the whole concern that about the year 1870 there was almost a +universal collapse; all the good and brave men abandoning it in +disgust. Many outrages were committed in the name of Ku Klux that +really were done by irresponsible parties who never belonged to the +Klan."—<i>Ryland Randolph.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> I have been told that in Tennessee several members of the +Klan were executed by its orders for committing evil deeds under name +of the Klan.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Some of the "Dens" disbanded in 1868. "As soon as our +object was effected, viz., got the negroes to behave themselves, we +disbanded."—<i>Ryland Randolph.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Most of the carpetbag and negro legislatures of the other +Southern States passed similar laws, and Congress enacted a series of +three "Force Laws" in 1870-1871. See Burgess' "Reconstruction and the +Constitution," pp. 253, 262; Fleming's "Civil War and Reconstruction in +Alabama," p. 695.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> This is a good specimen of the "Force Laws" which were +meant to uphold the Radical governments in the South against popular +disaffection.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>CHAPTER V.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3> + +<h4>DISBANDMENT.</h4> +<br /> + +<p>On the 20th day of February, 1869, Governor Brownlow resigned his +position as Governor to take the seat in the United States Senate, to +which he had been elected. The last paper to which he affixed his +signature as Governor of Tennessee, proclaimed martial law in certain +counties, and ordered troops to be sent thither. This proclamation was +dated February 20, 1869. In a short while it was followed by a +proclamation from the "Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire" to his +subjects.</p> + +<p>This proclamation recited the legislation directed against the Klan, +and stated that the order had now, in large measure, accomplished the +objects of its existence. At a time when the civil law afforded +inadequate protection to life and property, when robbery and +lawlessness of every description were unrebuked, when all the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>better +elements of society were in constant dread for the safety of their +property, persons and families, the Klan had afforded protection and +security to many firesides, and, in many ways contributed to the public +welfare. But greatly to the regret of all good citizens, some members +of the Klan had violated positive orders; others, under the name and +disguises of the organization, had assumed to do acts of violence, for +which the Klan was held responsible. The Grand Wizard had been invested +with the power to determine questions of paramount importance to the +interests of the order. Therefore, in the exercise of that power, the +Grand Wizard declared that the organization heretofore known as the Ku +Klux Klan was dissolved and disbanded.</p> + +<p>Members were directed to burn all regalia and paraphernalia of every +description, and to desist from any further assemblies or acts as Ku +Klux.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> The members of the Klan were counseled in the future as +heretofore, to assist all good <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>people of the land in maintaining and +upholding the civil laws, and in putting down lawlessness. This +proclamation was directed to all Realms, Dominions, Provinces and +"Dens" in "the Empire." It is reasonably certain that there were +portions of the Empire never reached by it. The Klan was widely +scattered and the facilities for communication exceedingly poor. The +Grand Wizard was a citizen of Tennessee. Under the statute just now +quoted newspapers were forbidden to publish anything emanating from the +Klan. So that there was no way in which this proclamation could be +generally disseminated.</p> + +<p>Where it was promulgated, obedience to it was prompt and implicit. +Whether obeyed or not, this proclamation terminated the Klan's +organized existence as decisively and completely as General Lee's last +general order, on the morning of the 10th of April, 1865, disbanded the +army of Northern Virginia.</p> + +<p>When the office of Grand Wizard was created and its duties defined, it +was explicitly provided that he should have "the power to determine +questions of paramount importance, and his decision <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>shall be final." +To continue the organization or to disband it was such a question. He +decided in favor of disbanding, and so ordered. Therefore the Ku Klux +Klan had no organized existence after March, 1869.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<p>The report of the Congressional Investigating Committee contains some +disreputable history, which belongs to a later date, and is attributed +to the Klan, but not justly so. For several years, after March, 1869, +the papers reported and commented on "Ku Klux outrages" committed at +various points. The authors of these outrages may have acted in the +name of the Klan, and under its disguises; it may be that in some cases +they were men who had been Ku Klux. But it cannot be charged that they +were acting by the authority of an order which had formally disbanded. +They were acting on their own responsibility.</p> + +<p>Thus lived, so died, this strange order. Its birth was an accident; its +growth was a comedy; its death a tragedy. It owed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>its existence wholly +to the anomalous condition of social and civil affairs in the South +during the years immediately succeeding the unfortunate contest in +which so many brave men in blue and gray fell, martyrs to their +convictions.</p> + +<p>There never was, before or since, a period of our history when such an +order could have lived. May there never be again!</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> In the copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript owned by +Columbia University Library is bound a letter in which is mentioned +this order of destruction.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> The local "Dens" were not affected by this order. Many +had already disbanded; many more remained active as long as the +Reconstruction régime lasted.—<i>Editor.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="APPENDIX_I" id="APPENDIX_I"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span><br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX I.</h2> +<br /> + +<h3>PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN</h3> + +<h4 class="sc">Adopted at a Convention of the Order<br /> +Held in Nashville, April, 1867</h4> + +<h5>Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page<br /> +for page. The type used here is slightly larger than<br /> +in the original document.</h5> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span><br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span><br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="4" width="90%" summary="Appendix 1" style="border: solid 1pt black;"> + <tr> + <td width="50%"> </td> + <td width="50%"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Damnant quod non intelligunt. [ 1</td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p01.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 1" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><h2>PRESCRIPT</h2> + <h2>OF THE</h2> + <h2>* *</h2> + <br /> + <hr style="width: 80%;" /> + <br /> + + <div class="poem2"><div class="stanza"> + <span class="i6">What may this mean,<br /></span> + <span class="i0">That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,<br /></span> + <span class="i0">Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,<br /></span> + <span class="i0">Making night hideous; and we fools of nature,<br /></span> + <span class="i0">So horridly to shake our disposition,<br /></span> + <span class="i0">With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?<br /></span> + </div></div> + + <br /> + <hr style="width: 80%;" /> + <br /> + + <div class="poem2"><div class="stanza"> + <span class="i0">An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin',<br /></span> + <span class="i0">A certain <i>Ghoul</i> is rantin', drinkin',<br /></span> + <span class="i0">Some luckless night will send him linkin',<br /></span> + <span class="i6">To your black pit;<br /></span> + <span class="i0">But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin',<br /></span> + <span class="i6">And cheat you yet.<br /></span> + </div></div> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Amici humani generis. [ 2<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p02.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 2" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head2">Creed.</p> + +<p class="app">We the * * reverently acknowledge<br /> +the Majesty and Supremacy of the Divine being,<br /> +and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the<br /> +Same.</p> + +<p class="head2">Preamble.</p> + +<p class="app">We recognize our relations to the United States<br /> +Government and acknowledge the supremacy of<br /> +its laws.</p> + +<p class="head2">Appellation.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Article I.</span> This organization shall be styled and<br /> +denominated the * *</p> + +<p class="head2">Titles.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. II.</span> The officers of this * shall consist of<br /> +a Grand Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii;<br /> +a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hy-<br /> +dras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six<br /> +Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province and his four<br /> +Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two<br /> +Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a<br /> +Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe,<br /> +a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand Ensign.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The body politic of this * shall be des-<br /> +ignated and known as "Ghouls."</p> + +<p class="head2">Divisions.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. III.</span> This * shall be divided into five de-<br /> +partments, all combined, constituting the Grand<br /> +* of the Empire. The second department to be<br /> +called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the<br /> +Grand * of the Dominion. The fourth, the Grand<br /> +* of the Province. The fifth, the * of the Den.</p> + +<p class="head2">Duties of Officers.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Wizard.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. IV. Sec. I.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Wizard, who is the Supreme Officer of the Empire<br /> +to communicate with and receive reports from the</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Nec scire fas est omnia. [ 3<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p03.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 3" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition,<br /> +strength, efficiency and progress of the *s<br /> +within their respective Realms. And he shall com-<br /> +municate from time to time, to all subordinates *s,<br /> +through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength,<br /> +efficiency, and progress of the *s throughout his vast<br /> +Empire; and such other information as he may deem<br /> +expedient to impart. And it shall further be his du-<br /> +ty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without<br /> +any caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand<br /> +Dragons of the different Realms of his Empire, and<br /> +shall number such Realms with the Arabic nume-<br /> +rals, 1, 2, 3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall instruct<br /> +his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and<br /> +disbursement which he shall make of the revenue<br /> +of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have<br /> +the sole power to issue copies of this Prescript,<br /> +through his Subalterns and Deputies, for the organ-<br /> +ization and establishment of subordinate *s. And<br /> +he shall have the further power to appoint his Ge-<br /> +nii; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer<br /> +for his Department, and to appoint and ordain<br /> +Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the<br /> +more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-<br /> +lishment of the * throughout his Empire. He is<br /> +further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-<br /> +ties, to organize and control Realms, Dominions,<br /> +Provinces, and Dens, until the same shall elect a<br /> +Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and<br /> +a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provid-<br /> +ded. And when a question of paramount impor-<br /> +tance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises,<br /> +not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have<br /> +power to determine such question, and his decision<br /> +shall be final, until the same shall be provided for<br /> +by amendment as hereinafter provided.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Ne vile fano.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Ars est celare artem. [ 4<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p04.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 4" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head2">Grand Dragon.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon<br /> +who is the Chief Officer of the Realm, to report to<br /> +the Grand Wizard when required by that officer,<br /> +the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of<br /> +the * within his Realm, and to transmit through<br /> +the Grand Titan to the subordinate *s of his Realm,<br /> +all information or intelligence conveyed to him by<br /> +the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such oth-<br /> +er information or instruction as he may think will<br /> +promote the interests of the *. He shall keep by his<br /> +G. Scribe a list of the names (without any caption)<br /> +of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of<br /> +his Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand<br /> +Wizard when required; and shall number the Do-<br /> +minions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1,<br /> +2, 3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. He shall instruct his Grand<br /> +Exchequer as to the appropriation and disburse-<br /> +ment of the revenue of the * that comes to his<br /> +hands. He shall have the power to appoint his<br /> +Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exche-<br /> +quer for his Department, and to appoint and ordain<br /> +Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the<br /> +more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-<br /> +lishment of the * throughout his Realm. He is<br /> +further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-<br /> +ties to organize and control Dominions, Provinces<br /> +and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Titan,<br /> +a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the manner<br /> +hereinafter provided.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Titan.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan<br /> +who is the Chief Officer of the Dominion, to report<br /> +to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer,<br /> +the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress<br /> +of the * within his Dominion, and to transmit<br /> +through the Grand Giants to the subordinate *s</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Nusquam tuta fides.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Quid faciendum? [ 5<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p05.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 5" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">of his Dominion, all information or intelligence con-<br /> +veyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that pur-<br /> +pose, and all such other information or instruction<br /> +as he may think will enhance the interests of the *.<br /> +He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the names<br /> +(without caption) of the Grand Giants of the differ-<br /> +ent Provinces of his Dominion, and shall report the<br /> +same to the Grand Dragon when required; and he<br /> +shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with<br /> +the Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. And he<br /> +shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to<br /> +the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue<br /> +of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have<br /> +power to appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand<br /> +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his department,<br /> +and appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Ti-<br /> +tans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual<br /> +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout<br /> +his Dominion. He shall have further power to<br /> +appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and con-<br /> +trol Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect<br /> +a Grand Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the man-<br /> +ner hereinafter provided.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Giant.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant,<br /> +who is the Chief Officer of the Province, to super-<br /> +vise and administer general and special in-<br /> +struction in the formation and establishment of<br /> +*s within his Province, and to report to the Grand<br /> +Titan, when required by that officer, the condition,<br /> +strength, progress and efficiency of the * through-<br /> +out his Province, and to transmit, through the<br /> +Grand Cyclops, to the subordinate *s of his Pro-<br /> +vince, all information or intelligence conveyed to<br /> +him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such<br /> +other information and instruction as he may think</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Fide non armis.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Fiat justia. [ 6<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p06.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 6" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">will advance the interests of the *. He shall keep by<br /> +his G. Scribe a list of the names (without caption) of<br /> +the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Prov-<br /> +ince, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan<br /> +when required; and shall number the Dens of his<br /> +Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., <i>ad<br /> +finem.</i> And shall determine and limit the number<br /> +of Dens to be organized in his Province. And he<br /> +shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to<br /> +what appropriation and disbursement he shall make<br /> +of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.<br /> +He shall have power to appoint his Goblins; also,<br /> +a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his de-<br /> +partment, and to appoint and ordain Special Depu-<br /> +ty Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid<br /> +and effectual dissemination and establishment of<br /> +the * throughout his Province. He shall have<br /> +the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies<br /> +to organize and control Dens, until the same shall<br /> +elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner hereinafter<br /> +provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and<br /> +conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops<br /> +to take charge of the * of his Den after his election,<br /> +under the direction and with the assistance (when<br /> +practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance<br /> +with, and in conformity to the provisions of this<br /> +Prescript, a copy of which shall in all cases be obtain-<br /> +ed before the formation of a * begins. It shall fur-<br /> +ther be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of<br /> +his * and to preside at the same—to appoint irregu-<br /> +lar meetings when he deems it expedient, to preserve<br /> +order in his Den, and to impose fines for irregularities<br /> +or disobedience of orders, and to receive and initiate<br /> +candidates for admission into the * after the<br /> +same shall have been pronounced competent and wor-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Hic manent vestigia morientis libertatis.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Curae leves loquntur, ingentes stupent. [ 7<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p07.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 7" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">thy become members by the Investigating Com-<br /> +mittee. He shall make a quarterly report to the<br /> +Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and ef-<br /> +ficiency of the * of his Den, and shall convey to<br /> +the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelli-<br /> +gence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that<br /> +purpose, and all other such information or instruc-<br /> +tion as he may think will conduce to the interests<br /> +and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and con-<br /> +duct the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have<br /> +power to appoint his Night Hawks, his Grand<br /> +Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and<br /> +his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and di-<br /> +rect the Grand Exchequer of his Den, as to what<br /> +appropriation and disbursement he shall make of<br /> +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.<br /> +And for any small offense he may punish any mem-<br /> +ber by fine, and may reprimand him for the same:<br /> +And he may admonish and reprimand the * of<br /> +his Den for any imprudence, irregularity or trans-<br /> +gression, when he is convinced or advised that the<br /> +interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Magi.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi,<br /> +who is the Second Officer, in Authority, of the Den,<br /> +to assist the Grand Cyclops and to obey all the<br /> +proper orders of that officer. To preside at all<br /> +meetings in the Den in the absence of the Grand<br /> +Cyclops; and to exercise during his absence all the<br /> +powers and authority conferred upon that officer.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Monk.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk,<br /> +who is the third officer, in authority, of the Den, to<br /> +assist and obey all the proper orders of the Grand<br /> +Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence<br /> +of both of these officers, he shall preside at and con-<br /> +duct the meetings in the Den, and shall exercise all</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Dat Deus his quoque finem.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Cessante causa, cessat effectus. [ 8<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p08.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 8" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">the powers and authority conferred upon the Grand +Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Exchequer.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exche-<br /> +quers of the different Departments of the * to keep<br /> +a correct account of all the revenue of the * that<br /> +shall come to their hands, and shall make no appro-<br /> +priation or disbursement of the same except under<br /> +the orders and direction of the chief officer of their<br /> +respective departments. And it shall further be<br /> +the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect<br /> +the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the<br /> +Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Turk.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk,<br /> +who is the Executive Officer of the Grand Cyclops,<br /> +to notify the ghouls of the Den of all informal or<br /> +irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops<br /> +and to obey and execute all the lawful orders of that<br /> +officer in the control and government of his Den.<br /> +It shall further be his duty to receive and question<br /> +at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into<br /> +the *, and shall <i>there</i> administer the preliminary<br /> +obligation required, and then to conduct such can-<br /> +didate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his<br /> +Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same.<br /> +And it shall further be his duty to act as the ex-<br /> +ecutive officer of the Grand Council of Centaurs.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Scribe.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes<br /> +of the different departments to conduct the corres-<br /> +pondence and write the orders of the chiefs of their<br /> +departments, when required. And it shall further<br /> +be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep<br /> +a list of the names (without caption) of the ghouls<br /> +of the Den—to call the Roll at all regular meetings<br /> +and to make the quarterly report under the direc-<br /> +tion of the Grand Cyclops.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Droit et avant.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. [ 9<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p09.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 9" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head2">Grand Sentinel.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Senti-<br /> +nel to detail, take charge of, post and instruct the<br /> +Grand Guard under the direction and orders of the<br /> +Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same<br /> +when directed by that officer.</p> + +<p class="head2">Grand Ensign.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign<br /> +to take charge of the Grand Banner of the *, to<br /> +preserve it sacredly, and protect it carefully, and to<br /> +bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and<br /> +on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may<br /> +direct it to be flung to the night breeze.</p> + +<p class="head2">Election of Officers.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. V.</span> Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand<br /> +Magi, the Grand Monk, and the Grand Exchequer<br /> +of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the<br /> +ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these<br /> +officers may take place as soon as seven ghouls have<br /> +been initiated for that purpose.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the<br /> +Grand Dragons of Realms, the Grand Titans of Do-<br /> +minions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall<br /> +be elected biennially, and in the following man-<br /> +ner, to wit: The Grand Wizard by a majority vote<br /> +of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand<br /> +Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his<br /> +Realm; the Grand Titans by a like vote of the<br /> +Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the Grand Gi-<br /> +ant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Pro-<br /> +vince.</p> + +<p class="app">The first election for Grand Dragon may take<br /> +place as soon as three Dominions have been organ-<br /> +ized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections shall<br /> +be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, through-<br /> +out the Realm, and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p class="app">The first election for Grand Titan may take place</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Dormitur aliquando jus, moritur nunquam.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Deo adjuvante, non timendum. [ 10<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p10.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 10" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">as soon as three Provinces have been organized in a<br /> +Dominion, but all subsequent elections shall be by a<br /> +majority vote of all the Grand Giants throughout<br /> +the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p class="app">The first election for Grand Giant may take place<br /> +as soon as three Dens have been organized in a<br /> +Province, but all subsequent elections shall be by a<br /> +majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout<br /> +the Province, and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p class="app">The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby cre-<br /> +ated, to serve three years from the First Monday<br /> +in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time,<br /> +biennial elections shall be held for that office as<br /> +aforesaid. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall<br /> +notify the Grand Dragons, at least six months be-<br /> +fore said election, at what time and place the same<br /> +will be held.</p> + +<p class="head2">Judiciary.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. VI.</span> Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this<br /> +* shall consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and<br /> +a Grand Council of Centaurs.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be<br /> +the Tribunal for the trial of all elected officers, and<br /> +shall be composed of officers of equal rank with the<br /> +accused, and shall be appointed and presided over<br /> +by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by<br /> +him to administer even handed justice. The Tribu-<br /> +nal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, shall be com-<br /> +posed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and<br /> +shall be presided over and sworn by the senior<br /> +Grand Dragon. They shall have power to summon<br /> +the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and<br /> +if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and<br /> +execute the same. And they shall have power to<br /> +appoint an executive officer to attend said Council<br /> +while in session.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Spectemur agendo.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Nemo nos impune lacessit. [ 11<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p11.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 11" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app">Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be<br /> +the Tribunal for the trial of Ghouls and non-elective<br /> +officers, and shall be composed of six judges appoint-<br /> +ed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den,<br /> +presided over and sworn by him to give the ac-<br /> +cused a fair and impartial trial. They shall<br /> +have power to summon the accused, and<br /> +witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty<br /> +they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the<br /> +same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand<br /> +Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integri-<br /> +ty and fair-mindedness, and shall render their ver-<br /> +dict without prejudice or partiality.</p> + +<p class="head2">Revenue.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. VII.</span> Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall<br /> +be derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre-<br /> +script issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars will<br /> +be required. Two dollars of which shall go into<br /> +the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Gi-<br /> +ant; two into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of<br /> +the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand<br /> +Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining<br /> +four into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the<br /> +Grand Wizard.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire<br /> +shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of the<br /> +Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the Grand<br /> +Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable<br /> +to levy the same.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms<br /> +shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Domin-<br /> +ions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand<br /> +Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-<br /> +sable.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin-<br /> +ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Pro-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Patria cara, carior libertas.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Ad unum omnes. [ 12<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p12.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 12" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">vinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the Grand<br /> +Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-<br /> +sable.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces<br /> +shall be ten per cent. on all the revenue of Dens,<br /> +and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand Giant<br /> +shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be<br /> +the initiation fees, fines, and a <i>per capita</i> tax, when-<br /> +ever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such tax indis-<br /> +pensable to the interests and purposes of the *.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the man-<br /> +ner herein aforesaid, shall be for the exclusive ben-<br /> +efit of the *. And shall be appropriated to the<br /> +dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a<br /> +fund to meet any disbursement that it may become<br /> +necessary to make to accomplish the objects of the<br /> +*, and to secure the protection of the same.</p> + +<p class="head2">Obligation.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. VIII.</span> No one shall become a member of<br /> +this *, unless he shall take the following oath or<br /> +obligation:</p> + +<p class="app">"I, ———— of my own free will and accord, and in<br /> +the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear<br /> +or affirm that I will never reveal to any one, not a<br /> +member of the * * by any intimation, sign,<br /> +symbol, word or act, or in any other manner what-<br /> +ever, any of the secrets, signs, grips, pass words,<br /> +mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am<br /> +a member of the same or that I know any one who<br /> +<i>is</i> a member, and that I will abide by the Prescript<br /> +and Edicts of the * *. So help me God."</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be adminis-<br /> +tered before the candidate for admission is taken<br /> +to the Grand Cyclops for examination, shall be as<br /> +follows:</p> + +<p class="app">"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Deo duce, ferro comitante.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. [ 13<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p13.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 13" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">reveal any thing that I may this day (or night)<br /> +learn concerning the * *. So help me God."</p> + +<p class="head2">Admission.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. IX.</span> Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for<br /> +admission into this *, until he shall have been<br /> +recommended by some friend or intimate, who <i>is</i> a<br /> +member, to the Investigating Committee, which<br /> +shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand<br /> +Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall investi-<br /> +gate his antecedents and his past and present stand-<br /> +ing and connections, and if after such investigation,<br /> +they pronounce him competent and worthy to become<br /> +a member, he may be admitted upon taking the ob-<br /> +ligation required and passing through the ceremo-<br /> +nies of initiation. <i>Provided</i>, That no one shall be<br /> +admitted into this * who shall have not attain-<br /> +ed the age of eighteen years.</p> + +<p class="app">Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a dis-<br /> +tant * when there is a * established and in<br /> +operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor<br /> +shall any one become a member of any * after<br /> +he shall have been rejected by any other *.</p> + +<p class="head2">Ensign.</p> + +<p class="app" style="margin-bottom: 0em;"><span class="sc">Art. X.</span> The Grand Banner of this * shall be<br /> +in the form of an isosceles triangle, five feet long<br /> +and three wide at the staff. The material shall be<br /> +Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three<br /> +inches in width. There shall be painted upon it,<br /> +in black, a Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> with<br /> +the following motto inscribed above the Dragon,</p> + +<p class="sc" style="margin-top: 0em;">"Quod Semper, Quod Ubique, Quod ab Omnibus."<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p> + +<p class="head2">Amendments.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. XI.</span> This Prescript or any part or Edicts<br /> +thereof, shall never be changed except by a two-</p> + +<hr style="width: 75%;" /> + +<p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial.<br /> +<a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be +true."</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">O tempora! O mores!</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Ad utrumque paratus. [ 14<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></td> + <td class="cen" style="vertical-align: top" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p14.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 14" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in<br /> +Convention assembled, and at which Convention<br /> +the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a<br /> +vote. And upon the application of a majority of<br /> +the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the Grand<br /> +Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said<br /> +Convention; which, when assembled, shall pro-<br /> +ceed to make such modifications and amendments as<br /> +it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the<br /> +utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purpo-<br /> +ses of the *.</p> + +<p class="head2">Interdiction.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Art. XII.</span> The origin, designs, mysteries and<br /> +ritual of this * shall never be written, but the<br /> +same shall be communicated orally.</p> + +<p class="head2">Register.</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary="Register."> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="10%"> </td> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 1st—Dismal.<br /> + 2nd—Dark.<br /> + 3rd—Furious.<br /> + 4th—Portentous.<br /> + 5th—Wonderful.<br /> + 6th—Alarming.</td> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 7th—Dreadful.<br /> + 8th—Terrible.<br /> + 9th—Horrible.<br /> + 10th—Melancholy.<br /> + 11th—Mournful.<br /> + 12th—Dying.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">II</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> + I—White.<br /> + II—Green.<br /> + III—Blue.</td> + <td class="tdl"> + IV—Black.<br /> + V—Yellow.<br /> + VI—Crimson.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl" colspan="2" style="padding-left: 25%;">VII—Purple.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">III</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> + 1—Fearful.<br /> + 2—Startling.<br /> + 3—Awful.<br /> + 4—Woeful.<br /> + 5—Horrid.<br /> + 6—Bloody.</td> + <td class="tdl"> + 7—Doleful.<br /> + 8—Sorrowful.<br /> + 9—Hideous.<br /> + 10—Frightful.<br /> + 11—Appalling.<br /> + 12—Last.</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="head2">Edicts.</p> + +<p class="app">I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one<br /> +dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated<br /> +and received into the *.</p> + +<p class="app">II. No member shall be allowed to take any in-<br /> +toxicating spirits to any meeting of the *. Nor<br /> +shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting<br /> +when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a<br /> +meeting in such a condition, he shall be fined the</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Cavendo tutus.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Astra castra, numen lumen. [ 15<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p15.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 15" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">sum of not less than one nor more than five dollars,<br /> +to go into the revenue of the *.</p> + +<p class="app">III. Any member may be expelled from the *<br /> +by a majority vote of the officers and ghouls of the<br /> +Den to which he belongs, and if after such expulsion<br /> +such member shall assume any of the duties, rega-<br /> +lia or insignia of the * or in any way claim to be<br /> +a member of the same, he shall be severely punish-<br /> +ed. His obligation of secrecy shall be as binding<br /> +upon him after expulsion as before, and for any<br /> +revelation made by him thereafter, he shall be held<br /> +accountable in the same manner as if he were then<br /> +a member.</p> + +<p class="app">IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to<br /> +be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to the *<br /> +of his Den, at least once in every three months,—<br /> +And shall read them to each new member when he<br /> +is initiated, or present the same to him for person-<br /> +al perusal.</p> + +<p class="app">V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand<br /> +Banner of the *.</p> + +<p class="app">VI. The *s of Dens may make such addition-<br /> +al Edicts for their control and government as they<br /> +shall deem requisite and necessary. <i>Provided</i>,<br /> +No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the pro-<br /> +visions or Edicts of this Prescript.</p> + +<p class="app">VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, con-<br /> +cerning any and everything that relates to the *<br /> +shall at all times be maintained.</p> + +<p class="app">VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the<br /> +secrets or purposes of this * shall suffer the ex-<br /> +treme penalty of the Law.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="app3">Hush, thou art not to utter what<br /> + I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant.<br /> + I said that I would see thee once again.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Amici usque ad aras. [ 16<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="3"><img border="0" src="images/appendix1p16.png" width="90%" alt="appendix 1 page 16" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<p class="head2">L' Envoi.</p> + +<p class="app">To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Jus-<br /> +tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of<br /> +the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the * *</p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head1">Nos ducit amor libertatis.</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="cen"><a href="#TranscriptA_I">Transcription of Appendix I</a></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="APPENDIX_II" id="APPENDIX_II"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX II.</h2> + +<h3>REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN</h3> + +<h4 class="sc">Adopted in 1868 (?)</h4> + +<br /> + +<h4>Reprinted <i>in facsimile</i></h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span><br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="4" width="90%" summary="Appendix 1" style="border: solid 1pt black;"> + <tr> + <td width="50%"> </td> + <td width="50%"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span><h4>REVISED AND AMENDED</h4> + +<h1>PRESCRIPT</h1> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>OF THE</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>ORDER</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>OF THE</h4> + +<br /> +<h4>*<br /> +* *</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<h4><i>Damnant quod non intelligunt.</i></h4></td> + + <td class="vcen"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p01.png" width="60%" alt="appendix 2 page 1" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<h2>APPELLATION.</h2> + +<p class="app">This Organization shall be styled and<br /> +denominated, the Order of the * * *.</p> + +<br /> + +<p class="head4">CREED.</p> + +<p class="app">We, the Order of the * * *, rever-<br /> +entially acknowledge the majesty and<br /> +supremacy of the Divine Being, and<br /> +recognize the goodness and providence<br /> +of the same. And we recognize our<br /> +relation to the United States Govern-<br /> +ment, the supremacy of the Constitu-<br /> +tion, the Constitutional Laws thereof,<br /> +and the Union of States thereunder.</p></td> + <td class="vcen"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p02.png" width="80%" alt="appendix 2 page 2" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +<p class="head4">CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER.</p> + +<p class="app">This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity,<br /> +Mercy, and Patriotism; embodying in its genius<br /> +and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct,<br /> +noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and<br /> +patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being</p> + +<p class="app">First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and<br /> +the defenceless, from the indignities, wrongs, and<br /> +outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the<br /> +brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to<br /> +succor the suffering and unfortunate, and espe-<br /> +cially the widows and orphans of Confederate<br /> +soldiers.</p> + +<p class="app">Second: To protect and defend the Constitu-<br /> +tion of the United States, and all laws passed in<br /> +conformity thereto, and to protect the States and<br /> +the people thereof from all invasion from any<br /> +source whatever.</p> + +<p class="app">Third: To aid and assist in the execution of<br /> +all constitutional laws, and to protect the people<br /> +from unlawful seizure, and from trial except by<br /> +their peers in conformity to the laws of the land.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE I.</p> + +<p class="head4">TITLES.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The officers of this Order shall consist<br /> +of a Grand Wizard of the Empire, and<br /> +his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm,</p> + +<p class="right" style="padding-right: 20%;">3</p></td> + <td class="vcen"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p03.png" width="70%" alt="appendix 2 page 3" /></td> + </tr> + + + <tr> + <td class="head3"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span><i>Nec scire fas est omnia.</i> 4</td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p04.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 4" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">and his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Do-<br /> +minion, and his six Furies; a Grand Giant of<br /> +the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand<br /> +Cyclops of the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a<br /> +Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand Scribe, a<br /> +Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand<br /> +Sentinel.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The body politic of this Order shall<br /> +be known and designated as "Ghouls."</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE II.</p> + +<p class="head4">TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The territory embraced within the<br /> +jurisdiction of this Order shall he coterminous<br /> +with the States of Maryland, Virginia, North<br /> +Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala-<br /> +bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas,<br /> +Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; all com-<br /> +bined constituting the Empire.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Empire shall be divided into four<br /> +departments, the first to be styled the Realm,<br /> +and coterminus with the boundaries of the<br /> +several States; the second to be styled the Do-<br /> +minion, and to be coterminous with such coun-<br /> +ties as the Grand Dragons of the several Realms<br /> +may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan.<br /> +The third to be styled the Province, and to be co-<br /> +terminous with the several counties; <i>provided</i>,<br /> +the Grand Titan may, when he deems it neces-<br /> +sary, assign two Grand Giants to one Province,<br /> +prescribing, at the same time, the jurisdiction of</p></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="head3"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span><i>Amici humani generis.</i> 5</td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p05.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 5" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">each. The fourth department to be styled the<br /> +Den, and shall embrace such part of a Province<br /> +as the Grand Giant shall assign to the charge of<br /> +a Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE III.</p> + +<p class="head4">POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND WIZARD.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Grand Wizard, who is the<br /> +supreme officer of the Empire, shall have power,<br /> +and he shall be required to, appoint Grand<br /> +Dragons for the different Realms of the Empire;<br /> +and he shall have power to appoint his Genii,<br /> +also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer<br /> +for his Department, and he shall have the sole<br /> +power to issue copies of this Prescript, through<br /> +his subalterns, for the organization and dissemi-<br /> +nation of the Order; and when a question of<br /> +paramount importance to the interests or pros-<br /> +perity of the Order arises, not provided for in<br /> +this Prescript, he shall have power to determine<br /> +such question, and his decision shall be final<br /> +until the same shall be provided for by amend-<br /> +ment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his<br /> +duty to communicate with, and receive reports<br /> +from, the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the<br /> +condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of<br /> +the Order within their respective Realms. And,<br /> +it shall further be his duty to keep, by his Grand<br /> +Scribe, a list of the names (without any caption<br /> +or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons,<br /> +of the different Realms of the Empire, and shall</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Quemeunque miserum videris, hominem scias.</i> 6 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p06.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 6" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">number such Realms with the Arabic numerals<br /> +1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>; and he shall direct and<br /> +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appro-<br /> +priation and disbursement he shall make of the<br /> +revenue of the Order that comes to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND DRAGON.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Grand Dragon, who is the chief<br /> +officer of the Realm, shall have power, and he<br /> +shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand<br /> +Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such<br /> +Dominion not to exceed three in number for any<br /> +Congressional District) said appointments being<br /> +subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of<br /> +the Empire. He shall have power to appoint<br /> +his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand<br /> +Exchequer for his Department.</p> + +<p class="app">It shall be his duty to report to the Grand<br /> +Wizard, when required by that officer, the con-<br /> +dition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the<br /> +Order within his Realm, and to transmit,<br /> +through the Grand Titan, or other authorized<br /> +sources, to the Order, all information, intelli-<br /> +gence, or instruction conveyed to him by the<br /> +Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such<br /> +other information or instruction as he may think<br /> +will promote the interest and utility of the Or-<br /> +der. He shall keep by his Grand Scribe, a list<br /> +of the names (without caption) of the Grand<br /> +Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm,<br /> +and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard<br /> +when required, and shall number the Domin-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.</i> 7<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p07.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 7" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">ion of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2,<br /> +3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall direct and in-<br /> +struct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropria-<br /> +tion and disbursement he shall make of the reve-<br /> +nue of the Order that comes to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND TITAN.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The Grand Titan, who is the chief<br /> +officer of the Dominion, shall have power, and he<br /> +shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand<br /> +Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such<br /> +appointments, however, being subject to the ap-<br /> +proval of the Grand Dragon of the Realm. He<br /> +shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also,<br /> +a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his<br /> +Department. It shall be his duty to report to<br /> +the Grand Dragon when required by that officer,<br /> +the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress<br /> +of the Order within his Dominion, and to trans-<br /> +mit through the Grand Giant, or other author-<br /> +ized channels, to the Order, all information, in-<br /> +telligence, instruction or directions conveyed to<br /> +him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and<br /> +all such other information or instruction as he<br /> +may think will enhance the interest or efficiency<br /> +of the Order.</p> + +<p class="app">He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of<br /> +the names (without caption or explanation) of<br /> +the Grand Giants of the different Provinces of<br /> +his Dominion, and shall report the same to the<br /> +Grand Dragon when required; and shall num-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Ne tentes aut perfice.</i> 8<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p08.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 8" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">ber the Provinces of his Dominion with the Ar-<br /> +abic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. And he<br /> +shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer<br /> +as to the appropriation and disbursement he shall<br /> +make of the revenue of the Order that comes to<br /> +his hands.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND GIANT.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Grand Giant, who is the chief<br /> +officer of the Province, shall have power, and he<br /> +is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand Cy-<br /> +clops for each Den of his Province, such ap-<br /> +pointments, however, being subject to the ap-<br /> +proval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion.<br /> +And he shall have the further power to appoint<br /> +his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand<br /> +Exchequer for his Department.</p> + +<p class="app">It shall be his duty to supervise and admin-<br /> +ister general and special instructions in the or-<br /> +ganization and establishment of the Order within<br /> +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan,<br /> +when required by that officer, the condition,<br /> +strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order<br /> +within his Province, and to transmit through the<br /> +Grand Cyclops, or other legitimate sources, to the<br /> +Order, all information, intelligence, instruction,<br /> +or directions conveyed to him by the Grand<br /> +Titan or other higher authority for that purpose,<br /> +and all such other information or instruction as<br /> +he may think would advance the purposes or<br /> +prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his<br /> +Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without cap-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Quid faciendum?</i> 9<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p09.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 9" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">tion or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of the<br /> +various Dens of his Province, and shall report<br /> +the same to the Grand Titan when required; and<br /> +shall number the Dens of his Province with the<br /> +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. He<br /> +shall determine and limit the number of Dens<br /> +to be organized and established in his Province;<br /> +and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Ex-<br /> +chequer as to the appropriation and disburse-<br /> +ment he shall make of the revenue of the Order<br /> +that comes to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND CYCLOPS.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief<br /> +officer of the Den, shall have power to appoint<br /> +his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand<br /> +Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sen-<br /> +tinel. And for small offenses he may punish<br /> +any member by fine, and may reprimand him<br /> +for the same. And he is further empowered to<br /> +admonish and reprimand his Den, or any of the<br /> +members thereof, for any imprudence, irregu-<br /> +larity, or transgression, whenever he may think<br /> +that the interests, welfare, reputation or safety<br /> +of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to<br /> +take charge of his Den under the instruction and<br /> +with the assistance (when practicable) of the<br /> +Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in con-<br /> +formity to the provisions of this Prescript—a<br /> +copy of which shall in all cases be obtained be-<br /> +fore the formation of a Den begins. It shall</p> +</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Fiat justitia ruat cœlum.</i> 10<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p10.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 10" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">further be his duty to appoint all regular meet-<br /> +ings of his Den, and to preside at the same; to<br /> +appoint irregular meetings when he deems it ex-<br /> +pedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline<br /> +in his Den; to impose fines for irregularities or<br /> +disobedience of orders; and to receive and initi-<br /> +ate candidates for admission into the Order, after<br /> +the same shall have been pronounced competent<br /> +and worthy to become members, by the Investi-<br /> +gating Committee herein after provided for.<br /> +And it shall further be his duty to make a quar-<br /> +terly report to the Grand Giant of the condition,<br /> +strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, and<br /> +shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of<br /> +his Den, all information, intelligence, instruction,<br /> +or direction, conveyed to him by the Grand Gi-<br /> +ant or other higher authority for that purpose;<br /> +and shall from time to time administer all such<br /> +other counsel, instruction or direction, as in his<br /> +sound discretion, will conduce to the interests,<br /> +and more effectually accomplish, the real objects<br /> +and designs of the Order.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND MAGI.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Magi, who is the second officer in authority of<br /> +the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to obey<br /> +all the orders of that officer; to preside at all<br /> +meetings in the Den, in the absence of the Grand<br /> +Cyclops; and to discharge during his absence<br /> +all the duties and exercise all the powers and<br /> +authority of that officer.</p> +</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Dormitus aliquando jus, moritus nunquam.</i> 11<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p11.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 11" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head4">GRAND MONK.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Monk, who is the third officer in authority of<br /> +the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of the<br /> +Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in<br /> +the absence of both of these officers, he shall pre-<br /> +side at and conduct the meetings in the Den, and<br /> +shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the<br /> +powers and authority of the Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND EXCHEQUER.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Ex-<br /> +chequers of the different Departments to keep a<br /> +correct account of all the revenue of the Order<br /> +that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by<br /> +them; and shall make no appropriation or dis-<br /> +bursement of the same except under the orders<br /> +and direction of the chief officer of their respect-<br /> +ive Departments. And it shall further be the<br /> +duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect the<br /> +initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand<br /> +Cyclops, or the officer discharging his functions.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND TURK.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Turk, who is the executive officer of the Grand<br /> +Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the<br /> +Den, of all informal or irregular meetings ap-<br /> +pointed by the Grand Cyclops, and to obey and<br /> +execute all the orders of that officer in the con-<br /> +trol and government of his Den. It shall further<br /> +be his duty to receive and question at the out-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Quieta non movere.</i> 12<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p12.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 12" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">posts, all candidates for admission into the Order,<br /> +and shall <i>there</i> administer the preliminary obli-<br /> +gation required, and then to conduct such candi-<br /> +date or candidates to the Grand Cyclops, and to<br /> +assist him in the initiation of the same.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND SCRIBE.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Scribes of the different Departments to conduct<br /> +the correspondence and write the orders of the<br /> +Chiefs of their Departments, when required.<br /> +And it shall further be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names<br /> +(without any caption or explanation whatever)<br /> +of the Officers and Ghouls of the Den, to call the<br /> +roll at all meetings, and to make the quarterly<br /> +reports under the direction and instruction of the<br /> +Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head4">GRAND SENTINEL.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 11.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand<br /> +Sentinel to take charge of post, and instruct the<br /> +Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of<br /> +the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss<br /> +the same when directed by that officer.</p> + +<p class="head4">THE STAFF.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 12.</span> The Genii shall constitute the staff of<br /> +the Grand Wizard; the Hydras, that of the<br /> +Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand<br /> +Titan; the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant;<br /> +and the Night-hawks, that of the Grand Cyclops,</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Quid verum alque decens.</i> 13<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p13.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 13" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head4">REMOVAL.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 13.</span> For any just, reasonable and sub-<br /> +stantial cause, any appointee may be removed by<br /> +the authority that appointed him, and his place<br /> +supplied by another appointment.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE IV</p> + +<p class="head4">ELECTION OF OFFICERS.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Grand Wizard shall be elected<br /> +biennially by the Grand Dragons of Realms.<br /> +The first election for this office to take place on<br /> +the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard<br /> +having been created, by the original Prescript,<br /> +to serve three years from the 1st Monday in May,<br /> +1867); all subsequent elections to take place every<br /> +two years thereafter. And the incumbent Grand<br /> +Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons of the<br /> +different Realms, at least six months before said<br /> +election, at what time and place the same will<br /> +be held; a majority vote of all the Grand<br /> +Dragons <i>present</i> being necessary and sufficient to<br /> +elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be<br /> +by ballot, and shall be held by three Commis-<br /> +sioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that<br /> +purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand<br /> +Wizard shall have the casting-vote.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk<br /> +of Dens shall be elected annually by the Ghouls<br /> +of Dens; and the first election for these officers<br /> +may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been<br /> +initiated for the formation of a Den. All subse-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Art est colare artem.</i> 14<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p14.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 14" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">quent elections to take place every year there-<br /> +after.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> In the event of a vacancy in the office<br /> +of Grand Wizard, by death, resignation, removal,<br /> +or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of the<br /> +Empire shall immediately assume and enter<br /> +upon the discharge of the duties of the Grand<br /> +Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and per-<br /> +form the duties of said office until the same shall<br /> +be filled by election; and the said senior Grand<br /> +Dragon, as soon as practicable after the happen-<br /> +ing of such vacancy, shall call a convention of<br /> +the Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at<br /> +such time and place as in his discretion he may<br /> +deem most convenient and proper. <i>Provided</i>,<br /> +however, that the time for assembling such Con-<br /> +vention for the election of a Grand Wizard shall<br /> +in no case exceed six months from the time such<br /> +vacancy occurred; and in the event of a va-<br /> +cancy in any other office, the same shall imme-<br /> +diately be filled in the manner herein before<br /> +mentioned.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Officers heretofore elected or ap-<br /> +pointed may retain their offices during the time<br /> +for which they have been so elected or appointed,<br /> +at the expiration of which time said offices shall<br /> +be filled as herein-before provided.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE V</p> + +<p class="head4">JUDICIARY.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Tribunal of Justice of this<br /> +Order shall consist of a Court at the Head-quar-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Nusquam tuta fides.</i> 15<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p15.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 15" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">ters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the<br /> +Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the<br /> +Chiefs of these several Departments.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of<br /> +the Empire shall consist of three Judges for the<br /> +trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and at-<br /> +tachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Empire.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Realm shall consist of three Judges for the trial<br /> +of Grand Titans, and the Officers and attachés<br /> +belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Dominion shall consist of three Judges for the<br /> +trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and at-<br /> +tachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Dominion.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Province shall consist of five Judges for the<br /> +trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand<br /> +Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and<br /> +the Officers and attachés belonging to the Head-<br /> +quarters of the Province.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the<br /> +Den shall consist of seven Judges appointed<br /> +from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the<br /> +officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand<br /> +Wizard shall be composed of at least seven Grand<br /> +Dragons, to be convened by the senior Grand<br /> +Dragon upon charges being preferred against the</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Fide non armis.</i> 16<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p16.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 16" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">Grand Wizard; which Tribunal shall be organ-<br /> +ized and presided over by the senior Grand<br /> +Dragon <i>present</i>; and if they find the accused<br /> +guilty, they shall prescribe the penalty, and the<br /> +senior Grand Dragon of the Empire shall cause<br /> +the same to be executed.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> The aforesaid Courts shall summon<br /> +the accused and witnesses for and against him,<br /> +and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the pen-<br /> +alty, and the Officers convening the Court shall<br /> +cause the same to be executed. <i>Provided</i> the ac-<br /> +cused shall always have the right of appeal to<br /> +the next Court above, whose decision shall be<br /> +final.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> The Judges constituting the aforesaid<br /> +Courts shall be selected with reference to their<br /> +intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, and<br /> +shall render their verdict without prejudice,<br /> +favor, partiality, or affection, and shall be so<br /> +sworn, upon the organization of the Court; and<br /> +shall further be sworn to administer even-handed<br /> +justice.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> The several Courts herein provided<br /> +for shall be governed in their deliberations, pro-<br /> +ceedings, and judgments by the rules and regu-<br /> +lations governing the proceedings of regular<br /> +Courts-martial.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE VI.</p> + +<p class="head4">REVENUE.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The revenue of this Order shall be<br /> +derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Dat Deus his quoque finem.</i> 17<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p17.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 17" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">script issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2<br /> +of which shall go into the hands of the Grand<br /> +Exchequer of the Grand Giant, $2 into the hands<br /> +of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan,<br /> +$2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of<br /> +the Grand Dragon, and the remaining $4 into<br /> +the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand<br /> +Wizard.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> A further source of revenue to the<br /> +Empire shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue<br /> +of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the<br /> +Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and in-<br /> +dispensable to levy the same.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> A further source of revenue to Realms<br /> +shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Do-<br /> +minions, and a tax upon Dominions when the<br /> +Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and in-<br /> +dispensable to levy the same.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> A further source of revenue to Domin-<br /> +ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of<br /> +Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the<br /> +Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and<br /> +indispensable.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> A further source of revenue to Provin-<br /> +ces shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of<br /> +Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand<br /> +Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indis-<br /> +pensable.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The source of revenue to Dens shall<br /> +be the initiation fees, fines, and a <i>per capita</i> tax,<br /> +whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Cessante causa, cessat effectus.</i> 18<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p18.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 18" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">tax necessary and indispensable to the interests<br /> +and objects of the Order.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> All the revenue obtained in the man-<br /> +ner aforesaid, shall be for the <i>exclusive</i> benefit of<br /> +the Order, and shall be appropriated to the<br /> +dissemination of the same and to the creation of<br /> +a fund to meet any disbursement that it may be-<br /> +come necessary to make to accomplish the ob-<br /> +jects of the Order and to secure the protection of<br /> +the same.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE VII.</p> + +<p class="head4">ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> No one shall be presented for ad-<br /> +mission into the Order until he shall have first<br /> +been recommended by some friend or intimate<br /> +who <i>is</i> a member, to the Investigating Commit-<br /> +tee, (which shall be composed of the Grand Cy-<br /> +clops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,)<br /> +and who shall have investigated his antecedents<br /> +and his past and present standing and connec-<br /> +tions; and after such investigation, shall have<br /> +pronounced him competent and worthy to become<br /> +a member. <i>Provided</i>, no one shall be presented<br /> +for admission into, or become a member of, this<br /> +Order who shall not have attained the age of<br /> +eighteen years.</p> + +<p class="app"><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> No one shall become a member of this<br /> +Order unless he shall <i>voluntarily</i> take the follow-<br /> +ing oaths or obligations, and shall <i>satisfactorily</i><br /> +answer the following interrogatories, while kneel-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui.</i> 19<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p19.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 19" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">ing, with his right hand raised to heaven, and<br /> +his left hand resting on the Bible:</p> + +<p class="head4">PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION.</p> + +<p class="app">"I —— solemnly swear or affirm that I will<br /> +never reveal any thing that I may this day (or<br /> +night) learn concerning the Order of the * * *,<br /> +and that I will true answer make to such interrog-<br /> +atories as may be put to me touching my com-<br /> +petency for admission into the same. So help<br /> +me God."</p> + +<p class="head4">INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED:</p> + +<p class="app">1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon appli-<br /> +cation for membership in the * * *, or have you<br /> +ever been expelled from the same?</p> + +<p class="app">2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a<br /> +member of the Radical Republican party, or<br /> +either of the organizations known as the "Loyal<br /> +League" and the "Grand Army of the Re-<br /> +public?".</p> + +<p class="app">3d. Are you opposed to the principles and<br /> +policy of the Radical party, and to the Loyal<br /> +League, and the Grand Army of the Republic,<br /> +so far as you are informed of the character and<br /> +purposes of those organizations?</p> + +<p class="app">4th. Did you belong to the Federal army<br /> +during the late war, and fight against the South<br /> +during the existence of the same?</p> + +<p class="app">5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both<br /> +social and political?</p> + +<p class="app">6th. Are you in favor of a white man's gov-<br /> +ernment in this country?</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare.</i> 20<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p20.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 20" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app">7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty,<br /> +and a Government of equitable laws instead of a<br /> +Government of violence and oppression?</p> + +<p class="app">8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Con-<br /> +stitutional rights of the South?</p> + +<p class="app">9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchise-<br /> +ment and emancipation of the white men of<br /> +the South, and the restitution of the Southern<br /> +people to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil,<br /> +and political?</p> + +<p class="app">10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right<br /> +of self-preservation of the people against the ex-<br /> +ercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power?</p> + +<p class="app">If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfacto-<br /> +rily answered, and the candidate desires to go<br /> +further (after something of the character and na-<br /> +ture of the Order has thus been indicated to him)<br /> +and to be admitted to the benefits, mysteries,<br /> +secrets and purposes of the Order, he shall then<br /> +be required to take the following final oath or<br /> +obligation. But if said interrogatories are not<br /> +satisfactorily answered, or the candidate declines<br /> +to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after<br /> +being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi-<br /> +cer of the deep secresy to which the oath already<br /> +taken has bound him, and that the extreme pen-<br /> +alty of the law will follow a violation of the same.</p> + +<p class="head4">FINAL OBLIGATION.</p> + +<p class="app">"I ———— of my own free will and accord,<br /> +and in the presence of Almighty God, do sol-<br /> +emnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Deo adjuvante, non timendum.</i> 21<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p21.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 21" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">any one not a member of the Order of the * * *,<br /> +by any intimation, sign, symbol, word or act, or<br /> +in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets,<br /> +signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order<br /> +of the * * *, or that I am a member of the same,<br /> +or that I know any one who <i>is</i> a member; and<br /> +that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of<br /> +the Order of the * * * So help me God."</p> + +<p class="app">The initiating officer will then proceed to ex-<br /> +plain to the new members the character and ob-<br /> +jects of the Order, and introduce him to the mys-<br /> +teries and secrets of the same; and shall read to<br /> +him this Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or<br /> +present the same to him for personal perusal.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE VIII.</p> + +<p class="head4">AMENDMENTS.</p> + +<p class="app">This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof<br /> +shall never be changed, except by a two-thirds<br /> +vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in<br /> +convention assembled, and at which convention<br /> +the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled<br /> +to a vote. And upon the application of a ma-<br /> +jority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the<br /> +Grand Wizard shall call and appoint the time<br /> +and place for said convention; which, when as-<br /> +sembled, shall proceed to make such modifica-<br /> +tions and amendments as it may think will<br /> +promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and<br /> +more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the<br /> +Order.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Spectemus agendo.</i> 22<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p22.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 22" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="head4">ARTICLE IX.</p> + +<p class="head4">INTERDICTION.</p> + +<p class="app">The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order<br /> +shall never be written, but the same shall be<br /> +communicated orally.</p> + +<p class="head4">ARTICLE X.</p> + +<p class="head4">EDICTS.</p> + +<p class="app">1. No one shall become a member of a distant<br /> +Den, when there is a Den established and in ope-<br /> +ration in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall<br /> +any one become a member of any Den, or of this<br /> +Order in any way after he shall have been once<br /> +rejected, upon application for membership.</p> + +<p class="app">2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members<br /> +thereof, shall operate beyond their prescribed<br /> +limits, unless invited or ordered by the proper<br /> +authority so to do.</p> + +<p class="app">3. No member shall be allowed to take any<br /> +intoxicating spirits to any meeting of the Den;<br /> +nor shall any member be allowed to attend a<br /> +meeting while intoxicated; and for every ap-<br /> +pearance at a meeting in such condition, he shall<br /> +be fined the sum of not less than one nor more<br /> +than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the<br /> +Order.</p> + +<p class="app">4. Any member may be expelled from the<br /> +Order by a majority vote of the Officers and<br /> +Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if<br /> +after such expulsion, such member shall assume<br /> +any of the duties, regalia, or insignia of the Or-</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Nemo nos impune lacissit.</i> 23<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p23.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 23" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app2">der, or in any way claim to be a member of the<br /> +same, he shall be severely punished. His obli-<br /> +gation of secrecy shall be as binding upon him<br /> +after expulsion as before, and for any revelation<br /> +made by him thereafter, he shall be held ac-<br /> +countable in the same manner as if he were then<br /> +a member.</p> + +<p class="app">5. Upon the expulsion of any member from<br /> +the Order, the Grand Cyclops, or the officer act-<br /> +ing in his stead, shall immediately report the<br /> +same to the Grand Giant of the Province, who<br /> +shall cause the fact to be made known and read<br /> +in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit<br /> +the same, through the proper channels, to the<br /> +Grand Dragon of the Realm, who shall cause it<br /> +to be published to every Den in his Realm, and<br /> +shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous<br /> +Realms of the same.</p> + +<p class="app">6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause<br /> +to be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to his<br /> +Den, at least once in every month; and shall read<br /> +them to each new member when he is initiated,<br /> +or present the same to him for personal perusal.</p> + +<p class="app">7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one<br /> +dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated<br /> +and received into the Order.</p> + +<p class="app">8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for<br /> +their control and government as they may deem<br /> +requisite and necessary. <i>Provided</i>, no Edict<br /> +shall be made to conflict with any of the provi-<br /> +sions or Edicts of this Prescript.</p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="head3"><i>Ad unum omnes.</i> 24<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></td> + <td class="vcen" rowspan="2"><img border="0" src="images/appendix2p24.png" width="75%" alt="appendix 2 page 24" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlp"><p class="app">9. The most profound and rigid secrecy con-<br /> +cerning any and everything that relates to the<br /> +Order, shall at all times be maintained.</p> + +<p class="app">10. Any member who shall reveal or betray<br /> +the secrets of this Order, shall suffer the extreme<br /> +penalty of the law.</p> + +<p class="head4">ADMONITION.</p> + +<p class="app">Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, be-<br /> +think thee! it was our covenant!</p> + +<p class="head4">REGISTER.</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary="Register."> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">I.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 1. Dismal,<br /> + 2. Mystic,<br /> + 3. Stormy,<br /> + 4. Peculiar,<br /> + 5. Blooming,<br /> + 6. Brilliant,</td> + <td class="tdl" width="55%"> + 7. Painful,<br /> + 8. Portentous,<br /> + 9. Fading,<br /> + 10. Melancholy,<br /> + 11. Glorious,<br /> + 12. Gloomy.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">II.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" colspan="2"><span class="fakesc">I.</span> White, <span class="fakesc">II.</span> Green, <span class="fakesc">III.</span> Yellow, <span class="fakesc">IV.</span> Amber,<br /> + <span class="fakesc">V.</span> Purple, <span class="fakesc">VI.</span> Crimson, <span class="fakesc">VII.</span> Emerald.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">III.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> + 1. Fearful,<br /> + 2. Startling,<br /> + 3. Wonderful,<br /> + 4. Alarming,<br /> + 5. Mournful,<br /> + 6. Appalling,</td> + <td class="tdl"> + 7. Hideous,<br /> + 8. Frightful,<br /> + 9. Awful,<br /> + 10. Horrible,<br /> + 11. Dreadful,<br /> + 12. Last.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">Cumberland.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="head4">L'ENVOI.</p> + +<p class="app">To the lovers of law and order, peace and jus-<br /> +tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of the<br /> +venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the<br /> +Order of the * * *</p> + +<p class="head4" style="font-size: 155%;"><i>Resurgamus.</i></p></td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="cen"><a href="#TranscriptA_II">Transcription of Appendix II</a></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="APPENDIX_III" id="APPENDIX_III"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span><br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX III.</h2> + +<br /> + +<h3>CONSTITUTION OF A LOCAL<br /> +ORDER MODELED UPON<br /> +KU KLUX KLAN</h3> + +<br /> + +<h5>Used in South Carolina and in North Carolina<br /> +<br /> +From The Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony</h5> + +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span><br /> + +<h2>CONSTITUTION</h2> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE I.</h3> + +<p>This organization shall be known as the —— Order, No. —, of the Ku +Klux Klan of the State of South Carolina.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE II.</h3> + +<p>The officers shall consist of a cyclops and a scribe, both of whom +shall be elected by a majority vote of the order, and to hold their +office during good behavior.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE III.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> It shall be the duty of the C. to preside in the +order, enforce a due observance of the constitution and by-laws, and an +exact compliance to the rules and usages of the order; to see that all +the members perform their respective duties; to appoint all committees +before the order; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>inspect the arms and dress of each member on special +occasions; to call meetings when necessary; draw upon members for all +sums needed to carry on the order.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The S. shall keep a record of the proceedings of the +order; write communications; notify other Klans when their assistance +is needed; give notice when any member has to suffer the penalty for +violating his oath; see that all books, papers or other property +belonging to his office, are placed beyond the reach of any one not a +member of the order. He shall perform such other duties as may be +required of him by the C.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE IV.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> No person shall be initiated into this order under +eighteen years of age.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> No person of color shall be admitted into this order.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> No person shall be admitted into this order who does +not sustain a good moral character, and who is in any way incapacitated +to perform the duties of a Ku Klux.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The name of a person proposed for membership must be +proposed by the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>committee appointed by the chief, verbally, stating +age, residence, and occupation; state if he was a soldier in the late +war, his rank, whether in the Federal or Confederate service, and his +command.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE V.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Any member who shall offend against these articles, +or the by-laws shall be subject to be fined and reprimanded by the C., +as two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting may +determine.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> Every member shall be entitled to a fair trial for any +offense involving reprimand or criminal punishment.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>BY-LAWS</h3> + +<h3>ARTICLE I.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> This order shall meet at ——.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> Five members shall constitute a quorum, provided the +C. or S. be present.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The C. shall have power to appoint such members of the +order to attend the sick, the needy, and those distressed, and those +suffering from radical misrule, as the case may require.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> No person shall be appointed on a committee unless the +person is present at the time of appointment. Members of committees +neglecting to report shall be fined 30 cents.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE II.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Every member, on being admitted, shall sign the +constitution and by-laws and pay the initiation fee.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> A brother of the Klan wishing to become a member of +this order, who shall present his application with the proper papers of +transfer from the order of which he was a member formerly, shall be +admitted to the order only by a unanimous vote of the members present.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE III.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The initiation fee shall be ——.</p> +<br /> + +<h3><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>ARTICLE IV.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his +fine or dues shall be dealt with as the chief thinks proper.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> Sickness or absence from the country or being engaged +in any important business shall be a valid excuse for any neglect of +duty.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE V.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Each member shall provide himself with a pistol, Ku +Klux gown and signal instruments.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> When charges have been preferred against a member in +proper manner, or any matters of grievance between brother Ku Klux are +brought before the order, they shall be referred to a committee of +three or more members, who shall examine the parties and determine the +matters in question, reporting their decision to the order. If the +parties interested desire, two-thirds of the members present voting in +favor of the report, it shall be carried.</p> +<br /> + +<h3><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>ARTICLE VI.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> It is the duty of every member who has evidence +that another has violated Article II. to prefer the charges and specify +the offense to the order.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The charge for violating Article II. shall be referred +to a committee of five or more members, who shall as soon as +practicable, summon the parties and investigate the matter.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> If the committee agree that the charges are sustained, +that the member on trial has intentionally violated his oath, or +Article II., they shall report the fact to the order.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> If the committee agree that the charges are not +sustained, that the member is not guilty of violating his oath or +Article II., they shall report to that effect to the order and the +charges shall be dismissed.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> When the committee report that the charges are +sustained, and the unanimous vote of the members is given thereof, the +offending person shall be sentenced to death by the chief.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The person, through the cyclops of the order of which +he is a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>member, can make application for pardon to the Great Grand +Cyclops of Nashville, Tennessee, in which case execution of the +sentence can be stayed until pardoning power is heard from.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE VII.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Any member who shall betray or divulge any of the +matters of the order shall suffer death.</p> +<br /> + +<h3>ARTICLE VIII.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The following shall be the rules of any order to +any matter herein not provided for; shall be managed in strict +accordance with the Ku Klux rules.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> When the chief takes his position on the right, the +scribe, with the members forming a half-circle around them, and at the +sound of the signal instrument there shall be profound silence.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> Before proceeding to business, the scribe shall call +the roll and note the absentees.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> Business shall be taken up in the following order:</p> + +<div class="block1"> +<p>1. Reading the minutes.</p> + +<p>2. Excuse of members at preceding meeting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>3. Report of committee of candidates for membership.</p> + +<p>4. Collection of dues.</p> + +<p>5. Are any of the order sick or suffering?</p> + +<p>6. Report of committees.</p> + +<p>7. New business.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="APPENDIX_IV" id="APPENDIX_IV"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span><br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX IV.</h2> + +<br /> + +<h3>KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS<br /> +AND OATHS</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span><br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span><br /> + + +<h2>KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS, OATHS.</h2> + + +<p class="cen">KU KLUX KLAN.<br /> +<br /> +ALERT!</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="40%" summary="warnings"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="50%">(Crossed muskets)</td> + <td class="tdr" width="50%"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">( and pistol. )</td> + <td class="tdr">(Spade ax ax.)</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">ALERT!</td> + <td class="tdc">ALERT!</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="2">T T T T T T T T T T T</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div class="block3"> + +<p>The B. G. C. of the K. K. K. is in town. You who know the signal of his +presence and have seen it be on the <i>alert</i>. You who do not—to a +brother—<i>mark the nail of the finger and the</i> (?) must be organized in +the future. <i>Traitors</i> to their race <i>will not always flemish like the +bay. Dimity marks them. Look out. And meet at the cave where the +Greased Lightning Slumbers.</i></p> + +<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 5%;">By order of the</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">B. G. C.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2%;">In Pro., Per.</span></p> + +<p class="noin">D. W. S.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forerunner.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span><hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>KU KLUX.</h3> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 2%;"> +Serpent's Den—Death's Retreat<br /> +Hollow Tomb—Misery Cave of the<br /> +Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000.<br /> +Windy Month—Bloody Moon,<br /> +Muddy Night—Twelfth Hour.</p> + +<p class="noin"><i>General Orders No. 1.</i></p> + +<p>Make ready! Make ready! Make ready!</p> + +<p>The mighty hobgoblins of the Confederate dead in Hell-a-Bulloo +assembled!</p> + +<p>Revenge, Revenge!</p> + +<p>Be secret, be cautious, be terrible!</p> + +<p>By special grant, Hell freezes over for your passage. Offended ghosts, +put on your skates, and cross over to mother earth!</p> + +<p class="noin" style="margin-left: 15%"> +Work! Work!! Work!!!<br /> +Double, double, toil and trouble;<br /> +Fire burn and cauldron bubble.</p> + +<p>Ye white men who stick to black, soulless beasts! the time arrives for +you to part. Q. W. X. W. V. U., and so, from Omega to Alpha.</p> + +<p class="noin" style="margin-left: 15%"> +Cool it with a baboon's blood<br /> +Then the charm is firm and good.</p> + +<p>Ye niggers who stick to low whites!</p> + +<p>Begone, Begone, Begone! The world turns around—the thirteenth hour +approacheth.</p> + +<p>S. one, two, and three—beware! White and yellow.</p> + +<p>J. and T—— P—— and L—— begone.—The handwriting on the wall warns +you!</p> + +<p class="noin" style="margin-left: 10%"> +From the murderer's gibbet, throw<br /> +Into the flame. Come high and low.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">By order of the Great</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">BLUFUSTIN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">G. S. K. K. K.</span></p> + +<p class="noin">A true copy,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3%;">Peterloo.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2%;">P. S. K. K. K.</span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>KU KLUX.</h3> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 2%;"> +Hell-a-Bulloo Hole—Den of Skulls.<br /> +Bloody Bones—Headquarters of the<br /> +Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000.<br /> +Windy Month—New Moon.<br /> +Cloudy Night—Thirteenth Hour.</p> + +<p class="noin"><i>General Orders No. 2.</i></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The great chief Simulacre summons you!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be ready! Crawl slowly! Strike hard!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fire around the pot!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sweltered venom, sleeping got<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like a hell-broth boil and bubble!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Great High Priest Cyclops! C. J. F. Y.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Varnish, Tar and Turpentine!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The fifth Ghost sounds his Trumpet!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mighty Genii wants two black wethers!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make them, make them, make them! Presto!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Great Giantess must have a white barrow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make him, make him, make him! Presto!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meet at once—the den of Snakes—the Giants jungle—the hole of Hell!</p> + +<p>The second Hobgoblin will be there, a mighty Ghost of valor! His eyes +of fire, his voice of thunder! Clean the streets—clean the serpents' +dens.</p> + +<p>Red hot pincers! Bastinado!! Cut Clean!!! No more to be born. Fire and +brimstone.</p> + +<p>Leave us, leave us, leave us! One, two, three tonight! Others soon!</p> + +<p>Hell freezes! On with skates—glide on. Twenty from Atlanta. Call the +roll. <i>Bene dicite!</i> The Great Ogre orders it!</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">By order of the Great</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">BLUFUSTIN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">G. S. K. K. K.</span></p> + +<p class="noin">A true copy,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3%;">Peterloo.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2%;">P. S. K. K. K.</span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span><br /> + + +<h3>KU KLUX.</h3> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 2%;"> +Hollow Hell, Devil's Den, Horrible<br /> +Shadows. Ghostly Sepulchre.<br /> +Head Quarters of the Immortal Ate<br /> +of the K. K. K. Gloomy month. Bloody<br /> +Moon. Black Night, Last Hour.</p> + +<p class="noin"><i>General Orders No. 3.</i></p> + +<p>Shadowed Brotherhood! Murdered heroes!</p> + +<p>Fling the bloody dirt that covers you to the four winds! Erect thy +Goddess on the banks of the Avernus. Mark well your foes! Strike with +the red hot spear! Prepare Charon for his task!</p> + +<p>Enemies reform! The skies shall be blackened! A single Star shall look +down upon horrible deeds! The night owl shall hoot a requiem o'er +Ghostly Corpses!</p> + +<p>Beware! Beware! Beware!</p> + +<p>The Great Cyclops is angry! Hobgoblins report! Shears and lash! Tar and +Feathers! Hell and Fury!</p> + +<p>Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!</p> + +<p>Bad men! white, black, yellow, repent!</p> + +<p>The hour is at hand! Be ye ready! Life is short. J. H. S. Y. W.!!!</p> + +<p>Ghosts! Ghosts!! Ghosts!!!</p> + +<p>Drink thy tea made of distilled hell, stirred with the lightning of +heaven, and sweetened with the gall of thine enemies!</p> + +<p>All will be well!!!</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">By order of the Great</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">BLUFUSTIN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">G. S. K. K. K.</span></p> + +<p class="noin">A true copy,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3%;">Peterloo.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2%;">P. S. K. K. K.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep192" id="imagep192"></a> +<a href="images/imagep192.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep192tn.jpg" width="40%" alt="The Fate of the Carpetbagger and the Scalawag" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; margin-bottom: .2em;"><span class="sc">The Fate of the Carpetbagger and the Scalawag</span><br /> +Cartoon by Ryland Randolph in <i>Independent Monitor</i>, September 1, 1868.<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">For a larger version, Click image.<br /> +<a href="#text">Read Transcription</a></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span><br /> + +<div class="block3"> + +<h3>TO THE PUBLIC</h3> + +<h3>K. K. K.</h3> + +<h4>TAKEN BY HABEAS CORPUS.</h4> + +<p>In silence and secrecy thought has been working, and the benignant +efficacies of concealment speak for themselves. Once again have we been +forced by force to use <i>Force</i>. Justice was lame, and she had to lean +upon us. Information being obtained that a "doubting Thomas," the +inferior of nothing, the superior of nothing, and of consequence the +equal of nothing, who has neither eyes to see the scars of oppression, +nor ears to hear the cause of humanity, even though he wears the +Judicial silk, had ordered some guilty prisoners from Union to the City +of Columbia, and of injustice and prejudice, for an <i>unfair trial of +life</i>; thus clutching at the wheel-spokes of destiny—then this thing +was created and projected; otherwise it would never have been. We yield +to the inevitable and inexorable, and account this the <i>best</i>. "Let not +thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth," is our motto.</p> + +<p>We want peace, but this cannot be till justice returns. We want and +will have justice, but this cannot be till the bleeding fight of +freedom is fought. Until then the Moloch of Iniquity will have his +victims, even if the Michael of Justice must have his martyrs.</p> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 5%;"> +K. K. K.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span><br /> + +<h3>ANOTHER KU KLUX PROCLAMATION.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></h3> + +<p>The following document was discovered on yesterday morning posted on +the "legal advertisement" board hanging at the court-house door. We +have examined the original and find it is in the same handwriting as +the one left with the jailer on the night of the late raid on the jail:</p> + +<br /> + +<p class="cen">HEADQUARTERS K. K. K, DEPARTMENT OF S. C.,</p> + +<p class="cen"><i>General Orders No. 49.</i></p> + +<p class="noin"><i>From the G. G. C., S. S.</i></p> + +<p>We delight not in speech, but there is language which, when meant in +earnest, becomes desperate. We raise the voice of warning, beware! +beware! Persons there are, (<i>and not unknown to us</i>,) who, to gratify +some private grudge or selfish end, like Wheeler's men, so called, are +executing their low, paltry, and pitiful designs at the expense, not +only of the noble creed we profess and act, but also to the great +trouble and annoyance of their neighbors in various communities. We +stay our hand for once; but if such conduct is frightening away +laborers, robbery, and connivance at the secrets of our organization is +repeated, then the mockers <i>must</i> suffer and the traitors meet their +merited doom. We dare not promise what we do not perform. We want no +substitutes or conscripts in our ranks. We can be as generous as we are +terrible; but, <i>stand back</i>. We've said it, and there can be no +interference.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">By order of the Grand Chief,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">A.O.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 1%;"><i>Grand Secretary.</i></span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span><br /> + +<p class="cen">KU KLUX MANIFESTO.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></p> + +<p>Below we publish a document which we received through the postoffice on +Monday last, it having been dropped into the letter box the previous +night, as we are informed by the postmaster. As to whether or not the +paper is genuine, and emanates from the mysterious Ku Klux Klan, we +have no means of knowing, as the handwriting is evidently disguised. +Although it is our rule to decline the publication of all anonymous +communications, we have decided to waive the rule in this instance, and +print the document for what it is worth. Here it is in full:</p> + +<br /> + +<p class="cen">EXTRACT OF MINUTES.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Article 1.</span> Whereas there are malicious and evil disposed +persons, who endeavor to perpetrate their malice, serve notices, and +make threats under the cover of our august name, now we warn all such +bogus organizations that we will not allow of any interference. Stop +it.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Article 2.</span> There shall be no interference with any honest, +decent, well-behaved person, whether white or black; and we cordially +invite all such to continue at their appropriate labor, and they shall +be protected therein by the whole power of this organization. But we do +intend that the honest, intelligent white people (the tax payers) of +this county shall rule it! We can no longer put up with negro rule, +black bayonets, and a miserably degraded, thievish set of lawmakers, +(God save the mark!) the scum of the earth, the scrapings of creation. +We are pledged to stop it; we are determined to end it, even if we are +"forced by force to use force."</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Article 3.</span> Our attention having been called to the letter of +one Rose, county treasurer of York, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>we brand it as a lie! Our +lieutenant was ordered to arrest him, that he might be tried on alleged +charges of incendiarism, (and if convicted he will be executed). But +there were no shots fired at him and no money stolen; that is not in +our line, the legislature of the State of South Carolina have a +monopoly in that line.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">By command of the Chief.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;">Official: K. K. K., A. A. G.</span></p> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<p class="cen">K. K. K.<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> + +<p class="cen">HEADQUARTERS; NINTH DIVISION, S.C.,</p> + +<p class="cen"><i>Special Orders No. 3, K. K. K.</i></p> + +<p>"Ignorance is the curse of God." For this reason we are determined that +the members of the legislature, the school commissioners, and the +county commissioners of Union, shall no longer officiate. Fifteen (15) +days' notice from this date is therefore given and if they, <i>one and +all</i>, do not <i>at once and forever resign</i> their present inhuman, +disgraceful, and outrageous rule, then retributive justice will as +surely be used as night follows day.</p> + +<p>Also, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." For this reason, if +the clerk of the said board of county commissioners and school +commissioners does not <i>immediately</i> renounce and relinquish his +present position, then harsher measures than these will most assuredly +and <i>certainly</i> be used.</p> + +<p>For confirmation, reference to the orders heretofore published in the +<i>Union Weekly Times</i> and <i>Yorkville Enquirer</i> will more fully and +completely show our intention.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="margin-right: 5%;">A.O.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2%;"><i>Grand Secretary.</i></span></p> + +<p class="noin"> +March 9, 1871.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep196" id="imagep196"></a> +<a href="images/imagep196.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep196.jpg" width="45%" alt="Warning Sent by the Klan" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .5em;"><span class="sc">Warning Sent by the Klan</span><br /> +From Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony.<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><b>For a larger version, Click image.</b><br /> +<a href="#text2">Read Transcription</a></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="block3"> + +<h3>THE OATH.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></h3> + +<p>I, before the great immaculate God of heaven and earth, do take and +subscribe to the following sacred binding oath and obligation: I +promise and swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the +United States as it was handed down by our forefathers in its original +purity. I promise and swear that I will reject and oppose the +principles of the radical party in all its forms, and forever maintain +and contend that intelligent white men shall govern this country. I +promise and pledge myself to assist, according to my pecuniary +circumstances, all brothers in distress. Females, widows, and their +households shall ever be specially in my care and protection. I promise +and swear that I will obey all instructions given me by my chief, and +should I ever divulge or cause to be divulged any secrets, signs or +pass-words of the Invisible Empire, I must meet with the fearful and +just penalty of the traitor, which is death, death, death, at the hands +of my brethren.<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>I, T. A. Hope, before the Great Immaculate Judges of Heaven and Earth, +and upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, do, of my own free will +and accord, subscribe to the following sacred, binding obligation:</p> + +<p>I. I am on the side of justice and humanity, and constitutional liberty +as bequeathed to us by our forefathers in its original purity.</p> + +<p>II. I reject and oppose the principles of the radical party.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>III. I pledge aid to a brother of the Ku Klux Klan in sickness, +distress, or pecuniary embarrassments; females, friends, and widows, +and their households shall be the special object of my care and devoted +protection.</p> + +<p>IV. Should I ever divulge, or cause to be divulged, any of the secrets +of this order, or any of the foregoing obligations, I must meet with +the fearful punishment of death and traitor's doom, which is death, +death, death, at the hands of the brethren.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Invisible +Circle; that I will defend our families, our wives, our children, and +brethren; that I will assist a brother in distress to the best of my +ability; that I will never reveal the secrets of this order or anything +in regard to it that may come to my knowledge, and if I do may I meet a +traitor's doom, which is death, death, death: so help me God, and so +punish me my brethren.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Montgomery Mail, March 23, 1868.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> This and the two preceding orders were written by Ryland +Randolph and printed in his paper <i>The Independent Monitor</i>, of +Tuscaloosa, Alabama.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> From the <i>Weekly Union Times</i> of Unionville, S.C., +February 17, 1871; South Carolina Testimony, pp. 1003, 1092. The negro +militia of South Carolina had killed a man who refused to sell whisky +to them. Several were arrested and imprisoned. A radical judge named +Thomas, in Columbia, 60 or 70 miles away and out of the district where +the crime was committed, directed that the prisoners be removed to +Columbia for trial. The whites believed that this was done as the first +step toward releasing the criminals. A mob came in, took the men from +jail, shot them and gave to the sheriff the above notice with +instructions to have it published in the newspapers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Weekly Union Times, Unionville, S.C., February 24, 1871; +Ku Klux Report, South Carolina Testimony, p. 1004. The Ku Klux Klan had +many imitators, and lawless conduct was often carried on under the +protection of the name and prestige of the Klan. The above warning was +meant for those who had been using the name of the order to cloak evil +deeds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> <i>Yorkville Enquirer</i>, Yorkville, S.C., March 9, 1871; +South Carolina Testimony, p. 1347. Another warning to those engaged in +lawlessness and using the name of the Klan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> <i>Union Weekly Times</i>, March 17, 1871; South Carolina +Testimony, p. 1096. This order illustrates one method of getting rid of +obnoxious officials.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> The oath of Ku Klux Klan was not printed. The three +versions here given were given from memory. The similarity is marked, +however.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Ku Klux Report. North Carolina Testimony. Court +Proceedings, p. 422.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony, pp. 399, 400.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> South Carolina Testimony, p. 361.</p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>INDEX</h3> +<br /> + +<ul> +<li>A.</li> + +<li>Abernathy, Dr. C.C., a member of the Klan, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Admission of members, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + +<li>Admonition, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Alabama, Costumes worn in, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>investigation in, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> + <li>Klan extends to, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Amendment of Prescript, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>"American Historical Magazine," cited, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li>Anderson, Gen. G.T., a member of the Klan, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Appellation Official, of the Order, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + +<li>"Appomattox Program," not carried out, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>B.</li> + +<li>Badges worn by high officials, <a href="#Page_59">59</a> + <ul class="nest"> + <li>(See also outside cover.)</li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Beati Paoli, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Black Belt, Ku Klux Klan mainly outside of, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> + +<li>Bowers, Dr. James, a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Brown, Gen. John C., a member, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + +<li>Brown, W.G., "The Lower South," cited, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>Brownlow, W.G., Governor of Tennessee, 1865-1868, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>his militia a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</li> + <li>proclaims martial law, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li>has "Force Laws" passed, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>his detective drowned by the Klan, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Brownlow Republicans in Ku Klux disguise, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> + +<li>Burgess, J.W., "Reconstruction and the Constitution," cited, <a href="#Page_113">113</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>C.</li> + +<li>Carbonari, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Carpetbag and negro legislators pass "Force Laws", <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>Carpetbag rule a cause of the Ku Klux Movement,. <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + +<li>Carter, Dr. Benjamin, a member, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> + +<li>Cartoon from the "Independent Monitor," <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>from the "Loil Legislature", <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Causes of the Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75-81</a> + <ul class="nest"> + <li>(See also Ku Klux Klan.)</li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Centaurs, Grand Council of, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li>"Century Magazine," cited, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> + +<li>Certificate of Laps D. McCord, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li>"Cincinnati Commercial," prints the Randolph cartoons, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>"Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," by W.L. Fleming, cited, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>Character and objects of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li>Clanton, Gen. James H., <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li>Cloud, Dr. N.B., driven from Tuscaloosa by the Klan, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>see cartoon facing page, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Colquitt, Gen. A.H. Colquitt, a member, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Conditions in the South, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li>Confederates disfranchised, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> + +<li>Confréries, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Congress investigates Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>passes "Force Laws", <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Constitutions, see Prescript.</li> + +<li>Constitutional Union Guards, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>Convention of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> + +<li>Coon and Sibley, carpetbaggers, cartoon of, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, and facing, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>Costumes worn in the Klan, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> + +<li>Council of Centaurs, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; of Yahoos, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li>Cox, S.S., "Three Decades," quotation from. <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li>Crawford, F.M., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Creed of the Klan, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + +<li>Crowe, Major James R., one of the founders of the Klan, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>first Grand Turk, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> + <li>statement in regard to origin of the Pulaski Den, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li> + <li>one of committee to prepare a constitution and a ritual, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Cutler, "Lynch Law," cited, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li>Cyclops, Grand, an official of the Klan, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>ruler of a Den, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>;</li> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> + <li>election of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>appointment of, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>;</li> + <li>in a local order, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Cypher Code, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a> + <ul class="nest"> + <li>(See also Register.)</li> + </ul> +<br /> </li> + + +<li>D.</li> + +<li>Decline of the Klan, <a href="#Page_100">100-127</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>causes of, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Dedication of Prescript, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Den, the lowest division of the Order, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>at Pulaski, Tennessee, <a href="#Page_19">19-21</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Disbandment of the Klan, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a></li> + +<li>Divisions of the Invisible Empire of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>"Documents Relating to Reconstruction," cited, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li>Dominions or Congressional Districts, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li>Dragon, Grand, ruler of a Realm, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>appointed, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Duties of officials, <a href="#Page_136">136-143</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157-165</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>E.</li> + +<li>Edicts, or By-laws of the Order, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + +<li>Empire, The, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>Ensign, Grand, duties, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> + +<li>Ensign or banner of the Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li>Exchequer, Grand, or treasurer, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>appointed, <a href="#Page_157">157-161</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Expansion of the Klan's territory, <a href="#Page_68">68-82</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>Expulsion of members, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>F.</li> + +<li>Fleming, W.L., "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," cited, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>Flying Dragon, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li>"Force Laws," effect on Klan, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> + +<li>Forrest, Gen. Nathan Bedford, Grand Wizard, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>testimony before Ku Klux Committee of Congress, <a href="#Page_28">28-30</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</li> + <li>his estimate of the number of members, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> + <li>his opinion of the character of members, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;</li> + <li>belongs to the order of Pale Faces, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>;</li> + <li>disbands the Klan, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Founders of the Klan, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li>Furies, the staff of the Grand Titan, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + +<li>Fussell, Col. Joseph, a member, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>G.</li> + +<li>Garner, J.W., "Reconstruction in Mississippi," cited, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li>Garrett, Dr. W.R., makes plates used on pages <a href="#Page_153">153-176</a> <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Genii, the staff of the Grand Wizard, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a> 164</li> + +<li>Georgia, candidates in Georgia, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li>Ghouls, private members, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>elect officials <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Giant, Grand, ruler of a Province, duties, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>appointed <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Giles County, Tennessee <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> + +<li>Goblins, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + +<li>Gordon, Gen. John B., <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>testimony before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, <a href="#Page_30">30-33</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Grand Army of the Republic <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li>Grant, Gen. U.S., magnanimity of, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>H.</li> + +<li>Hanging picture, cartoon by Ryland Randolph, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>republished in the North <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Hardee, Gen. W.J., a member, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + +<li>"Histoire Générale," by Lavisse & Rambaud, cited <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Huntsville, Alabama, parade of Klan in, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Hydras, the staff of the Grand Dragon, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a> 164<br /><br /></li> + + +<li>I.</li> + +<li>"Independent Monitor," cited <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Initiations into the Pulaski Den, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> + +<li>Interrogations to be asked candidates for admission, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li>Investigation of Ku Klux Klan, by Congress, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>by Alabama, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Invisible Circle <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li>Invisible Empire, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>J.</li> + +<li>Jones, Calvin, one of the founders, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>on committee to choose a name for the order, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li>Charles P., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Cora R., daughter of Charles P., and niece of Calvin, article in "Advance," cited, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> + <li>Judge Thomas M., father of Calvin and Charles P., <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Judiciary of the Klan, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>K.</li> + +<li>Kennedy, John, one of the founders of the Klan, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Kirk, John H., aided in printing the Prescript, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li>Klephts, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Knights of the White Camelia, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> + +<li>Ku Klux Committee of Congress, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Ku Klux Klan, causes of, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47-67</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75-81</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li>headquarters at Pulaski, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> + <li>initiations at Pulaski, <a href="#Page_61">61-64</a>;</li> + <li>original object, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> + <li>selection of name, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>;</li> + <li>costumes worn, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</li> + <li>expansion, <a href="#Page_68">68-82</a>;</li> + <li>transformation, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83-99</a>;</li> + <li>reorganized, <a href="#Page_84">84-99</a>;</li> + <li>territorial extent, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>Prescripts, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133-150</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151-176</a>;</li> + <li>officers and their duties, <a href="#Page_85">85-86</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li>oaths and obligations, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li>parades, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</li> + <li>character and objects, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109-111</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171-172</a>;</li> + <li>creed, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>declaration of principles, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>;</li> + <li>edicts, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>admission of members, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>;</li> + <li>character and conduct of members, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;</li> + <li>numbers, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> + <li>secrets, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>revenue, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</li> + <li>judiciary, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>;</li> + <li>convention at Nashville, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li>methods, <a href="#Page_71">71-75</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96-99</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183-196</a>;</li> + <li>orders and warnings, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187-198</a>;</li> + <li>disciplines its members, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>; outrages, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>;</li> + <li>decline and disbandment, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100-127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a>;</li> + <li>regalia destroyed, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>;</li> + <li>investigation by Congress, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>;</li> + <li>effect of "force laws;" popular idea of the Klan, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</li> + <li>results of the Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;</li> + <li>other secret orders, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Ku Klux Klan, Lester and Wilson's History of, <a href="#Page_15">15-19</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> + +<li>Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Ku Klux Report, cited, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>L.</li> + +<li>Lakin, Rev. A.S., president of University of Alabama, driven away by the Klan, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>see cartoon, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Lavisse and Rambaud, "Histoire Générale," cited, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Lawton, Gen. A.R., a member, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Lester, Capt. J. C, one of the founders of the Klan and one of the authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="nest"> +<li> on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Lictor, an official title, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> + +<li>"Loil Legislature," by Capt. B.H. Screws, cartoon from, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>"Lower South," by W.G. Brown, cited, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>Loyal League, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a> + <ul class="nest"> + <li>(See also Union League.)</li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>"Loyalty," meaning of, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>"Lynch Law," by Cutler, cited, <a href="#Page_15">15</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>M.</li> + +<li>McCallum, James, a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>McCoy, Capt. Thomas, a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>McCord, Frank O., one of the founders of the Klan, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>first Grand Cyclops, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> + <li>Laps D., prints the Prescripts, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> + <li>L.W., editor of the "Pulaski Citizen," a Ku Klux newspaper, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>McKissick, Alex., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Magi, Grand, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Martial law proclaimed in Tennessee, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> + +<li>Masonic order, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Members, admission of, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>expulsion, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>none ever arrested, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Methods employed by the Klan, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187-196</a></li> + +<li>Militia law of Tennessee, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> + +<li>Mississippi, Klan extends to, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>costumes worn in, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Minnis, J.A., testimony, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li>Mitchell, Capt. Robert, a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Monk, Grand, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>"Montgomery Mail," cited, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> + +<li>Moore, John A., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Morton, Capt. John W., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>initiates General Forrest, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Motto, on ensign, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>N.</li> + +<li>Name of the order, selection of, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>influence of name on the career of the order, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Nashville Convention of the Klan, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>adopts Prescript, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Nashville Den drowns a detective, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li>Negro equality, Klan opposed to, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li>Negro members of the Klan, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + +<li>Negro troops, conduct of, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li>Negroes, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>conduct of, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;</li> + <li>frightened by Klan, <a href="#Page_97">97-99</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Nelson, J.L., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Newspapers forbidden to print Ku Klux notices, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li>Night Hawks, the staff of a Cyclops, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + +<li>Nihilists, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>North Carolina, a local order in, <a href="#Page_177">177-186</a></li> + +<li>Number of members, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>O.</li> + +<li>Oaths and obligations, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li>Officials of the Klan, duties, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Order issued by the Grand Dragon of Tennessee, <a href="#Page_109">109-111</a></li> + +<li>Orders and warnings sent by the Klan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187-196</a></li> + +<li>Origin of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_47">47-67</a></li> + +<li>Outrages attributed to the Klan, <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>P.</li> + +<li>Pale Faces, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>Gen. Forrest a member of, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Parades of the Klan, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91-95</a></li> + +<li>Pearcy, Capt. J.L., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Penalty for betrayal of secrets, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Pettus, Gen. Edmund W, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li>Pike, Gen. Albert, chief judicial officer, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Principles of the Klan, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> + +<li>Province, or county, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>Pulaski, Tennessee, description of, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>conditions in 1865, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</li> + <li>Ku Klux Klan founded there, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li>Ku Klux parade, <a href="#Page_91">91-95</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Pulaski Den, origin and membership, <a href="#Page_19">19-21</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> + +<li>Prescripts, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>original, adopted at Nashville Convention, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133-150</a>;</li> + <li>Revised and Amended, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151-176</a>;</li> + <li>an imperfect copy used by a local order, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177-186</a>;</li> + <li>sold by Grand Wizard, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li>dedication, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li>Amendment, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>;</li> + <li>Register, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Purpose of the original Den, <a href="#Page_22">22</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>Q.</li> + +<li>Quotations, poetical, in original Prescript, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>Latin, in the Prescripts, <i>passim</i>, <a href="#Page_133">133-176</a></li> + </ul> + <br /> </li> + + +<li>R.</li> + +<li>Radical Republican party, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li>Radicals in Ku Klux disguise, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> + +<li>Randolph, Ryland, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>quoted, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</li> + <li>author of orders and warnings, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190-192</a>;</li> + <li>publishes cartoon of Coon and Sibley, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Realm, or state, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li>Reconstruction Acts, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> + +<li>"Reconstruction of the Constitution," by J.W. Burgess, cited, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>"Reconstruction in Mississippi," by J.W. Garner, cited, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li>Reed, Richard R., one of the founders, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>on committee to choose a name for the order, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Regalia and records of Klan destroyed, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li>Register of the Prescript, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Regulators, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + +<li>Results of the Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + +<li>Revenue of the Klan, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> + +<li>Revised and Amended Prescript, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151-176</a></li> + +<li>Ritual of Pulaski Den, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> + +<li>Rose, W.H., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>S.</li> + +<li>Saunders, "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> + +<li>Scotch-Irish descent of the members of the Klan, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> + +<li>Screws, Capt. B.H., "Loil Legislature," cartoon from, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>Scribe, of a local order, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> + +<li>Scribe, Grand, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Secrets of the Klan, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>penalty for betrayal of, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Sentinel, Grand, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Shapard, I.L. and Robt., members, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li>Sibley and Coon, carpetbaggers, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li>South Carolina, local order in, <a href="#Page_177">177-186</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>warnings sent by Klan in, <a href="#Page_193">193-196</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Southern Society of New York, owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Spofford, Judge H.M., residence used by Klan <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + +<li>Staff officers, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> + +<li>State Guards of Tennessee, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> + +<li>Stubbs, Mrs. Elizabeth, in "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, <a href="#Page_96">96</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>T.</li> + +<li>Taxes levied in Klan, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> + +<li>Tennessee, conditions in, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>the Klan in <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> + <li>Confederates disfranchised, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>;</li> + <li>State Guards, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>; Militia law, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li>order of a Grand Dragon, <a href="#Page_109">109-111</a>;</li> + <li>Anti-Ku Klux law, <a href="#Page_113">113-123</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Term of office, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + +<li>Texas, Klan extends to, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + +<li>"Three Decades," by S.S. Cox, quoted, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li>Titan, Grand, ruler of a Dominion, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>appointed, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Titles of officials, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li>Tories, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> + +<li>Tourgee, "Invisible Empire," cited, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>Transformation of the Klan, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83-99</a></li> + +<li>Tribunal of Justice, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> + +<li>Tugenbund, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Turk, Grand, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>office first held by Major J.R. Crowe, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Klan at, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>U.</li> + +<li>"Understanding of Appomattox," violated, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>Union League, a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79-81</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>Unionists, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> + +<li>University of Alabama, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>V.</li> + +<li>Vehmgericht, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li>Voorheis, Milton, a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a><br /><br /></li> + + +<li>W.</li> + +<li>Warnings sent by the Klan, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>"Washington Post," cited, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> + +<li>Waters, Dr. M.S., a member, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li>Webster's "Unabridged Pictorial," cited, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li>"Weekly Union Times," cited, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>White Brotherhood, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>White Camelia, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>White League, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li>"White Man's Government", <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li>Wilson, Rev. D.L., one of the authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>article in "Century Magazine" cited, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> + </ul> + </li> + +<li>Wizard, Grand, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>; + <ul class="nest"> + <li>duties, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li>how elected, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>;</li> + <li>term of office, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>disbands the Klan, <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a></li> + </ul> + <br /> </li> + + +<li>Y.</li> + +<li>Yahoos, Grand Council of, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li>"Yorkville Enquirer," cited, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li>Young Italy, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +</ul> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a id="TranscriptA_I" name="TranscriptA_I"></a><hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>Compiled versions of Appendix I and Appendix II</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h3>APPENDIX I.</h3> + + +<h3>PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN</h3> + +<h4><span class="sc">Adopted at a Convention of the Order<br /> +Held in Nashville, April, 1867</span></h4> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2><a name="PRESCRIPT" id="PRESCRIPT"></a>PRESCRIPT</h2> + +<h2>OF THE</h2> + +<h2>* *</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">What may this mean,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Making night hideous; and we fools of nature,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So horridly to shake our disposition,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A certain <i>Ghoul</i> is rantin', drinkin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Some luckless night will send him linkin',<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To your black pit;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin',<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And cheat you yet.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<div class="block3"> + +<p class="head5">Creed.</p> + +<p>We the * * reverently acknowledge the Majesty and Supremacy of the +Divine being, and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the Same.</p> + +<p class="head5">Preamble.</p> + +<p>We recognize our relations to the United States Government and +acknowledge the supremacy of its laws.</p> + +<p class="head5">Appellation.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Article I.</span> This organization shall be styled and denominated +the * *</p> + +<p class="head5">Titles.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. II.</span> The officers of this * shall consist of a Grand +Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm and +his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies; a +Grand Giant of the Province and his four Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of +the Den and his two Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand +Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand +Ensign.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The body politic of this * shall be designated and +known as "Ghouls."</p> + +<p class="head5">Divisions.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. III.</span> This * shall be divided into five departments, all +combined, constituting the Grand * of the Empire. The second department +to be called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the Grand * of the +Dominion. The fourth, the Grand * of the Province. The fifth, the * of +the Den.</p> + +<p class="head5">Duties of Officers.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Wizard.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. IV. Sec. I.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Wizard, who +is the Supreme Officer of the Empire to communicate with and receive +reports from the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, +strength, efficiency and progress of the *s within their respective +Realms. And he shall communicate from time to time, to all subordinates +*s, through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength, efficiency, and +progress of the *s throughout his vast Empire; and such other +information as he may deem expedient to impart. And it shall further be +his duty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without any +caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons of the different +Realms of his Empire, and shall number such Realms with the Arabic +numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall instruct his Grand +Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement which he shall make +of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have the sole +power to issue copies of this Prescript, through his Subalterns and +Deputies, for the organization and establishment of subordinate *s. And +he shall have the further power to appoint his Genii; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint and +ordain Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the more rapid and +effectual dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his +Empire. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct Deputies, to +organize and control Realms, Dominions, Provinces, and Dens, until the +same shall elect a Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and a +Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter providded. And when a question +of paramount importance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises, +not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have power to determine +such question, and his decision shall be final, until the same shall be +provided for by amendment as hereinafter provided.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Dragon.</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon who is the Chief +Officer of the Realm, to report to the Grand Wizard when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +* within his Realm, and to transmit through the Grand Titan to the +subordinate *s of his Realm, all information or intelligence conveyed +to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such other +information or instruction as he may think will promote the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +any caption) of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of his +Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard when required; and +shall number the Dominions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, +3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. He shall instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the +appropriation and disbursement of the revenue of the * that comes to +his hands. He shall have the power to appoint his Hydras; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint and +ordain Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the more rapid and +effectual dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his +Realm. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct Deputies to +organize and control Dominions, Provinces and Dens, until the same +shall elect a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the +manner hereinafter provided.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Titan.</p> + +<p>Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan who is the Chief +Officer of the Dominion, to report to the Grand Dragon when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +* within his Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giants to the +subordinate *s of his Dominion, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and all such +other information or instruction as he may think will enhance the +interests of the *. He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the +names (without caption) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and he shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall instruct and +direct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have power to +appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand Scribe and a Grand +Exchequer for his department, and appoint and ordain Special Deputy +Grand Titans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his Dominion. He +shall have further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to organize +and control Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand +Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provided.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Giant.</p> + +<p>Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, who is the Chief +Officer of the Province, to supervise and administer general and +special instruction in the formation and establishment of *s within his +Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, progress and efficiency of the * +throughout his Province, and to transmit, through the Grand Cyclops, to +the subordinate *s of his Province, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such other +information and instruction as he may think will advance the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +caption) of the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Province, and +shall report the same to the Grand Titan when required; and shall +number the Dens of his Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., +<i>ad finem.</i> And shall determine and limit the number of Dens to be +organized in his Province. And he shall instruct and direct his Grand +Exchequer as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall make of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have power to +appoint his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his +department, and to appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Giants to +assist him in the more rapid and effectual dissemination and +establishment of the * throughout his Province. He shall have the +further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and control +Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner +hereinafter provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and conduct +the Grand Council of Yahoos.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p>Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops to take charge of the +* of his Den after his election, under the direction and with the +assistance (when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance +with, and in conformity to the provisions of this Prescript, a copy of +which shall in all cases be obtained before the formation of a * +begins. It shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of +his * and to preside at the same—to appoint irregular meetings when he +deems it expedient, to preserve order in his Den, and to impose fines +for irregularities or disobedience of orders, and to receive and +initiate candidates for admission into the * after the same shall have +been pronounced competent and worthy come members by the Investigating +Committee. He shall make a quarterly report to the Grand Giant, of the +condition, strength and efficiency of the * of his Den, and shall +convey to the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that purpose, and all other such +information or instruction as he may think will conduce to the +interests and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and conduct the +Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have power to appoint his Night +Hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and his +Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and direct the Grand Exchequer of +his Den, as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the +revenue of the * that comes to his hands. And for any small offense he +may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for the same: And +he may admonish and reprimand the * of his Den for any imprudence, +irregularity or transgression, when he is convinced or advised that the +interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Magi.</p> + +<p>Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the Second +Officer, in Authority, of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops and to +obey all the proper orders of that officer. To preside at all meetings +in the Den in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to exercise during +his absence all the powers and authority conferred upon that officer.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Monk.</p> + +<p>Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the third +officer, in authority, of the Den, to assist and obey all the proper +orders of the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence of +both of these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings in +the Den, and shall exercise all the powers and authority conferred upon +the Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Exchequer.</p> + +<p>Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the different +Departments of the * to keep a correct account of all the revenue of +the * that shall come to their hands, and shall make no appropriation +or disbursement of the same except under the orders and direction of +the chief officer of their respective departments. And it shall further +be the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect the initiation +fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Turk.</p> + +<p>Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the Executive +Officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the ghouls of the Den of all +informal or irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops and to +obey and execute all the lawful orders of that officer in the control +and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to receive and +question at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into the *, and +shall <i>there</i> administer the preliminary obligation required, and then +to conduct such candidate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his +Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. And it shall +further be his duty to act as the executive officer of the Grand +Council of Centaurs.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Scribe.</p> + +<p>Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the different +departments to conduct the correspondence and write the orders of the +chiefs of their departments, when required. And it shall further be the +duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep a list of the names +(without caption) of the ghouls of the Den—to call the Roll at all +regular meetings and to make the quarterly report under the direction +of the Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Sentinel.</p> + +<p>Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to detail, take +charge of, post and instruct the Grand Guard under the direction and +orders of the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when +directed by that officer.</p> + +<p class="head5">Grand Ensign.</p> + +<p>Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign to take charge of the +Grand Banner of the *, to preserve it sacredly, and protect it +carefully, and to bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and +on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may direct it to be flung +to the night breeze.</p> + +<p class="head5">Election of Officers.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. V.</span> Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, the Grand +Monk, and the Grand Exchequer of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually +by the ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these officers may +take place as soon as seven ghouls have been initiated for that +purpose.</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the Grand Dragons of Realms, +the Grand Titans of Dominions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall +be elected biennially, and in the following manner, to wit: The Grand +Wizard by a majority vote of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand +Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his Realm; the Grand +Titans by a like vote of the Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the +Grand Giant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Province.</p> + +<p>The first election for Grand Dragon may take place as soon as three +Dominions have been organized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections +shall be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, throughout the Realm, +and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>The first election for Grand Titan may take place as soon as three +Provinces have been organized in a Dominion, but all subsequent +elections shall be by a majority vote of all the Grand Giants +throughout the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>The first election for Grand Giant may take place as soon as three Dens +have been organized in a Province, but all subsequent elections shall +be by a majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout the Province, +and biennially as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby created, to serve three years +from the First Monday in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time, +biennial elections shall be held for that office as aforesaid. And the +incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons, at least six +months before said election, at what time and place the same will be +held.</p> + +<p class="head5">Judiciary.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VI.</span> Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this * shall +consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and a Grand Council of Centaurs.</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of all elected officers, and shall be composed of officers of +equal rank with the accused, and shall be appointed and presided over +by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by him to administer +even handed justice. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, +shall be composed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and shall be +presided over and sworn by the senior Grand Dragon. They shall have +power to summon the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and if +found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the same. And +they shall have power to appoint an executive officer to attend said +Council while in session.</p> + +<p>Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of Ghouls and non-elective officers, and shall be composed of six +judges appointed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den, +presided over and sworn by him to give the accused a fair and impartial +trial. They shall have power to summon the accused, and witnesses for +and against him, and if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty +and execute the same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand +Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integrity and +fair-mindedness, and shall render their verdict without prejudice or +partiality.</p> + +<p class="head5">Revenue.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VII.</span> Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall be derived as +follows: For every copy of this Prescript issued to the *s of Dens, Ten +Dollars will be required. Two dollars of which shall go into the hands +of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Giant; two into the hands of the +Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand +Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining four into the hands of +the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Wizard.</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the +Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same.</p> + +<p>Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent. of +all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand +Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p>Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per cent. +of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the +Grand Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p>Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten per cent. +on all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand +Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p>Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be the initiation fees, +fines, and a <i>per capita</i> tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem +such tax indispensable to the interests and purposes of the *.</p> + +<p>Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the manner herein aforesaid, +shall be for the exclusive benefit of the *. And shall be appropriated +to the dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a fund to meet +any disbursement that it may become necessary to make to accomplish the +objects of the *, and to secure the protection of the same.</p> + +<p class="head5">Obligation.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VIII.</span> No one shall become a member of this *, unless he +shall take the following oath or obligation:</p> + +<p>"I, —— of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of +Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal to +any one, not a member of the * * by any intimation, sign, symbol, word +or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets, signs, +grips, pass words, mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am a +member of the same or that I know any one who <i>is</i> a member, and that I +will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of the * *. So help me God."</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be administered before the +candidate for admission is taken to the Grand Cyclops for examination, +shall be as follows:</p> + +<p>"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing that +I may this day (or night) learn concerning the * *. So help me God."</p> + +<p class="head5">Admission.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. IX.</span> Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for admission into +this *, until he shall have been recommended by some friend or +intimate, who is a member, to the Investigating Committee, which shall +be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi and the Grand Monk, +and who shall investigate his antecedents and his past and present +standing and connections, and if after such investigation, they +pronounce him competent and worthy to become a member, he may be +admitted upon taking the obligation required and passing through the +ceremonies of initiation. <i>Provided</i>, That no one shall be admitted +into this * who shall have not attained the age of eighteen years.</p> + +<p>Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a distant * when there is a * +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor shall +any one become a member of any * after he shall have been rejected by +any other *.</p> + +<p class="head5">Ensign.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. X.</span> The Grand Banner of this * shall be in the form of an +isosceles triangle, five feet long and three wide at the staff. The +material shall be Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three +inches in width. There shall be painted upon it, in black, a +Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon<a name="FNanchor_55A_67" id="FNanchor_55A_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_55A_67" class="fnanchor">[55a]</a> with the following motto inscribed above +the Dragon,</p> + +<p class="head5">"Quod Semper, Quod Ubique, Quod ab Omnibus.<a name="FNanchor_56A_68" id="FNanchor_56A_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_56A_68" class="fnanchor">[56a]</a>"</p> + +<p class="head5">Amendments.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. XI.</span> This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof, shall +never be changed except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of +the Realms, in Convention assembled, and at which Convention the Grand +Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the +application of a majority of the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the +Grand Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said Convention; +which, when assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and +amendments as it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the +utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the *.</p> + +<p class="head5">Interdiction.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. XII.</span> The origin, designs, mysteries and ritual of this * +shall never be written, but the same shall be communicated orally.</p> + +<p class="head5">Register.</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary="Register."> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="10%"> </td> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 1st—Dismal.<br /> + 2nd—Dark.<br /> + 3rd—Furious.<br /> + 4th—Portentous.<br /> + 5th—Wonderful.<br /> + 6th—Alarming.</td> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 7th—Dreadful.<br /> + 8th—Terrible.<br /> + 9th—Horrible.<br /> + 10th—Melancholy.<br /> + 11th—Mournful.<br /> + 12th—Dying.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">II</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> + I—White.<br /> + II—Green.<br /> + III—Blue.</td> + <td class="tdl"> + IV—Black.<br /> + V—Yellow.<br /> + VI—Crimson.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl" colspan="2" style="padding-left: 25%;">VII—Purple.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">III</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl"> + 1—Fearful.<br /> + 2—Startling.<br /> + 3—Awful.<br /> + 4—Woeful.<br /> + 5—Horrid.<br /> + 6—Bloody.</td> + <td class="tdl"> + 7—Doleful.<br /> + 8—Sorrowful.<br /> + 9—Hideous.<br /> + 10—Frightful.<br /> + 11—Appalling.<br /> + 12—Last.</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="head5">Edicts.</p> + +<p>I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one dollar, to be paid when +the candidate is initiated and received into the *.</p> + +<p>II. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the *. Nor shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting +when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in such a +condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor more than +five dollars, to go into the revenue of the *.</p> + +<p>III. Any member may be expelled from the * by a majority vote of the +officers and ghouls of the Den to which he belongs, and if after such +expulsion such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia or +insignia of the * or in any way claim to be a member of the same, he +shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation made +by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same manner as +if he were then a member.</p> + +<p>IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to the * of his Den, at least once in every three +months,—And shall read them to each new member when he is initiated, +or present the same to him for personal perusal.</p> + +<p>V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand Banner of the *.</p> + +<p>VI. The *s of Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control +and government as they shall deem requisite and necessary. <i>Provided</i>, +No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or Edicts +of this Prescript.</p> + +<p>VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, concerning any and +everything that relates to the * shall at all times be maintained.</p> + +<p>VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets or purposes of +this * shall suffer the extreme penalty of the Law.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">Hush, thou art not to utter what<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I said that I would see thee once again.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="head5">L' Envoi.</p> + +<p>To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the +* *</p> + +<br /> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<br /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4> + +<p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_55A_67" id="Footnote_55A_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55A_67"><span class="label">[55a]</span></a> See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial.</p> + +<p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_56A_68" id="Footnote_56A_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56A_68"><span class="label">[56a]</span></a> "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be +true."</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="TranscriptA_II" id="TranscriptA_II"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h2>APPENDIX II.</h2> + +<h3>REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN</h3> + +<h4 class="sc">Adopted in 1868 (?)</h4> + +<br /> + +<h4>REVISED AND AMENDED</h4> + +<h1>PRESCRIPT</h1> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>OF THE</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>ORDER</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>OF THE</h4> + +<br /> +<h4>*<br /> +* *</h4> + +<h2>APPELLATION.</h2> + +<p>This Organization shall be styled and denominated, the Order of the * * +*.</p> + +<p class="head5">CREED.</p> + +<p>We, the Order of the * * *, reverentially acknowledge the majesty and +supremacy of the Divine Being, and recognize the goodness and +providence of the same. And we recognize our relation to the United +States Government, the supremacy of the Constitution, the +Constitutional Laws thereof, and the Union of States thereunder.</p> + +<p class="head5">CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER.</p> + +<p>This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, Mercy, and Patriotism; +embodying in its genius and its principles all that is chivalric in +conduct, noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and patriotic in +purpose; its peculiar objects being</p> + +<p>First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from the +indignities, wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the +brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to succor the suffering +and unfortunate, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate +soldiers.</p> + +<p>Second: To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, +and all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States +and the people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever.</p> + +<p>Third: To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE I.</p> + +<p class="head5">TITLES.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The officers of this Order shall consist of a Grand +Wizard of the Empire, and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm, +and his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion, and his six +Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand +Cyclops of the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand +Monk, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand +Sentinel.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The body politic of this Order shall be known and +designated as "Ghouls."</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE II.</p> + +<p class="head5">TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The territory embraced within the jurisdiction of +this Order shall he coterminous with the States of Maryland, Virginia, +North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, +Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; all +combined constituting the Empire.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Empire shall be divided into four departments, the +first to be styled the Realm, and coterminus with the boundaries of the +several States; the second to be styled the Dominion, and to be +coterminous with such counties as the Grand Dragons of the several +Realms may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan. The third to be +styled the Province, and to be coterminous with the several counties; +<i>provided</i>, the Grand Titan may, when he deems it necessary, assign two +Grand Giants to one Province, prescribing, at the same time, the +jurisdiction of each. The fourth department to be styled the Den, and +shall embrace such part of a Province as the Grand Giant shall assign +to the charge of a Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE III.</p> + +<p class="head5">POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND WIZARD.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Grand Wizard, who is the supreme officer of the +Empire, shall have power, and he shall be required to, appoint Grand +Dragons for the different Realms of the Empire; and he shall have power +to appoint his Genii, also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer for +his Department, and he shall have the sole power to issue copies of +this Prescript, through his subalterns, for the organization and +dissemination of the Order; and when a question of paramount importance +to the interests or prosperity of the Order arises, not provided for in +this Prescript, he shall have power to determine such question, and his +decision shall be final until the same shall be provided for by +amendment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his duty to communicate +with, and receive reports from, the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the +condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order within their +respective Realms. And, it shall further be his duty to keep, by his +Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without any caption or explanation +whatever) of the Grand Dragons, of the different Realms of the Empire, +and shall number such Realms with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., +<i>ad finem</i>; and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to +the appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the +Order that comes to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND DRAGON.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Grand Dragon, who is the chief officer of the +Realm, shall have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and +instruct a Grand Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such Dominion +not to exceed three in number for any Congressional District) said +appointments being subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of the +Empire. He shall have power to appoint his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe +and a Grand Exchequer for his Department.</p> + +<p>It shall be his duty to report to the Grand Wizard, when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +Order within his Realm, and to transmit, through the Grand Titan, or +other authorized sources, to the Order, all information, intelligence, +or instruction conveyed to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, +and all such other information or instruction as he may think will +promote the interest and utility of the Order. He shall keep by his +Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without caption) of the Grand Titans +of the different Dominions of his Realm, and shall report the same to +the Grand Wizard when required, and shall number the Dominion of his +Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall +direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and +disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to +his hands.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND TITAN.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The Grand Titan, who is the chief officer of the +Dominion, shall have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and +instruct a Grand Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such +appointments, however, being subject to the approval of the Grand +Dragon of the Realm. He shall have the power to appoint his Furies; +also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department. It shall +be his duty to report to the Grand Dragon when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order +within his Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giant, or other +authorized channels, to the Order, all information, intelligence, +instruction or directions conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that +purpose, and all such other information or instruction as he may think +will enhance the interest or efficiency of the Order.</p> + +<p>He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without +caption or explanation) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. And he shall direct and +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement +he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND GIANT.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Grand Giant, who is the chief officer of the +Province, shall have power, and he is required, to appoint and instruct +a Grand Cyclops for each Den of his Province, such ap-pointments, +however, being subject to the approval of the Grand Titan of the +Dominion. And he shall have the further power to appoint his Goblins; +also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department.</p> + +<p>It shall be his duty to supervise and administer general and special +instructions in the organization and establishment of the Order within +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order +within his Province, and to transmit through the Grand Cyclops, or +other legitimate sources, to the Order, all information, intelligence, +instruction, or directions conveyed to him by the Grand Titan or other +higher authority for that purpose, and all such other information or +instruction as he may think would advance the purposes or prosperity of +the Order. He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names +(without caption or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of the various +Dens of his Province, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan when +required; and shall number the Dens of his Province with the Arabic +numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., <i>ad finem</i>. He shall determine and limit the +number of Dens to be organized and established in his Province; and he +shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation +and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes +to his hands.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND CYCLOPS.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief officer of the +Den, shall have power to appoint his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his +Grand Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sentinel. And for small +offenses he may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for +the same. And he is further empowered to admonish and reprimand his +Den, or any of the members thereof, for any imprudence, irregularity, +or transgression, whenever he may think that the interests, welfare, +reputation or safety of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to +take charge of his Den under the instruction and with the assistance +(when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in +conformity to the provisions of this Prescript—a copy of which shall +in all cases be obtained before the formation of a Den begins. It shall +further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of his Den, and to +preside at the same; to appoint irregular meetings when he deems it +expedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline in his Den; to +impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders; and to +receive and initiate candidates for admission into the Order, after the +same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy to become members, +by the Investigating Committee herein after provided for. And it shall +further be his duty to make a quarterly report to the Grand Giant of +the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, and shall +communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of his Den, all information, +intelligence, instruction, or direction, conveyed to him by the Grand +Giant or other higher authority for that purpose; and shall from time +to time administer all such other counsel, instruction or direction, as +in his sound discretion, will conduce to the interests, and more +effectually accomplish, the real objects and designs of the Order.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND MAGI.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the +second officer in authority of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, +and to obey all the orders of that officer; to preside at all meetings +in the Den, in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to discharge +during his absence all the duties and exercise all the powers and +authority of that officer.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND MONK.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the +third officer in authority of the Den, to assist and obey all the +orders of the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in the absence of +both of these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings in +the Den, and shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the +powers and authority of the Grand Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND EXCHEQUER.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the +different Departments to keep a correct account of all the revenue of +the Order that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by them; and +shall make no appropriation or disbursement of the same except under +the orders and direction of the chief officer of their respective +Departments. And it shall further be the duty of the Exchequers of Dens +to collect the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand +Cyclops, or the officer discharging his functions.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND TURK.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the +executive officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the Officers and +Ghouls of the Den, of all informal or irregular meetings appointed by +the Grand Cyclops, and to obey and execute all the orders of that +officer in the control and government of his Den. It shall further be +his duty to receive and question at the outposts, all candidates for +admission into the Order, and shall <i>there</i> administer the preliminary +obligation required, and then to conduct such candidate or candidates +to the Grand Cyclops, and to assist him in the initiation of the same.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND SCRIBE.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the +different Departments to conduct the correspondence and write the +orders of the Chiefs of their Departments, when required. And it shall +further be the duty of the Grand Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the +names (without any caption or explanation whatever) of the Officers and +Ghouls of the Den, to call the roll at all meetings, and to make the +quarterly reports under the direction and instruction of the Grand +Cyclops.</p> + +<p class="head5">GRAND SENTINEL.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 11.</span> It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to take +charge of post, and instruct the Grand Guard, under the direction and +orders of the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when +directed by that officer.</p> + +<p class="head5">THE STAFF.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 12.</span> The Genii shall constitute the staff of the Grand +Wizard; the Hydras, that of the Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the +Grand Titan; the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant; and the Night-hawks, +that of the Grand Cyclops,</p> + +<p class="head5">REMOVAL.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 13.</span> For any just, reasonable and substantial cause, any +appointee may be removed by the authority that appointed him, and his +place supplied by another appointment.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE IV</p> + +<p class="head5">ELECTION OF OFFICERS.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Grand Wizard shall be elected biennially by the +Grand Dragons of Realms. The first election for this office to take +place on the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard having been +created, by the original Prescript, to serve three years from the 1st +Monday in May, 1867); all subsequent elections to take place every two +years thereafter. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand +Dragons of the different Realms, at least six months before said +election, at what time and place the same will be held; a majority vote +of all the Grand Dragons <i>present</i> being necessary and sufficient to +elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be by ballot, and shall be +held by three Commissioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that +purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand Wizard shall have the +casting-vote.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk of Dens shall be +elected annually by the Ghouls of Dens; and the first election for +these officers may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been initiated +for the formation of a Den. All subsequent elections to take place +every year thereafter.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> In the event of a vacancy in the office of Grand +Wizard, by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the senior Grand +Dragon of the Empire shall immediately assume and enter upon the +discharge of the duties of the Grand Wizard, and shall exercise the +powers and perform the duties of said office until the same shall be +filled by election; and the said senior Grand Dragon, as soon as +practicable after the happening of such vacancy, shall call a +convention of the Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at such time and +place as in his discretion he may deem most convenient and proper. +<i>Provided</i>, however, that the time for assembling such Convention for +the election of a Grand Wizard shall in no case exceed six months from +the time such vacancy occurred; and in the event of a vacancy in any +other office, the same shall immediately be filled in the manner herein +before mentioned.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Officers heretofore elected or appointed may +retain their offices during the time for which they have been so +elected or appointed, at the expiration of which time said offices +shall be filled as herein-before provided.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE V</p> + +<p class="head5">JUDICIARY.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The Tribunal of Justice of this Order shall consist +of a Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, +the Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the Chiefs of these +several Departments.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire shall +consist of three Judges for the trial of Grand Dragons, and the +Officers and attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Empire.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the Realm shall +consist of three Judges for the trial of Grand Titans, and the Officers +and attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the Dominion shall +consist of three Judges for the trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers +and attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Dominion.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the Province shall +consist of five Judges for the trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, +Grand Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and the Officers and +attachés belonging to the Head-quarters of the Province.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The Court at the Head-quarters of the Den shall +consist of seven Judges appointed from the Den for the trial of Ghouls +and the officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard shall +be composed of at least seven Grand Dragons, to be convened by the +senior Grand Dragon upon charges being preferred against the Grand +Wizard; which Tribunal shall be organized and presided over by the +senior Grand Dragon <i>present</i>; and if they find the accused guilty, +they shall prescribe the penalty, and the senior Grand Dragon of the +Empire shall cause the same to be executed.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> The aforesaid Courts shall summon the accused and +witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty, they shall +prescribe the penalty, and the Officers convening the Court shall cause +the same to be executed. <i>Provided</i> the accused shall always have the +right of appeal to the next Court above, whose decision shall be final.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> The Judges constituting the aforesaid Courts shall be +selected with reference to their intelligence, integrity, and +fair-mindedness, and shall render their verdict without prejudice, +favor, partiality, or affection, and shall be so sworn, upon the +organization of the Court; and shall further be sworn to administer +even-handed justice.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> The several Courts herein provided for shall be +governed in their deliberations, proceedings, and judgments by the +rules and regulations governing the proceedings of regular +Courts-martial.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE VI.</p> + +<p class="head5">REVENUE.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The revenue of this Order shall be derived as +follows: For every copy of this Prescript issued to Dens, $10 will be +required; $2 of which shall go into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of +the Grand Giant, $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Titan, $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, +and the remaining $4 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Wizard.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten +per cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when +the Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when +the Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten +per cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces +when the Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten +per cent. of all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the +Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The source of revenue to Dens shall be the initiation +fees, fines, and a <i>per capita</i> tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall +deem such tax necessary and indispensable to the interests and objects +of the Order.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> All the revenue obtained in the manner aforesaid, +shall be for the <i>exclusive</i> benefit of the Order, and shall be +appropriated to the dissemination of the same and to the creation of a +fund to meet any disbursement that it may become necessary to make to +accomplish the objects of the Order and to secure the protection of the +same.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE VII.</p> + +<p class="head5">ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> No one shall be presented for admission into the +Order until he shall have first been recommended by some friend or +intimate who <i>is</i> a member, to the Investigating Committee, (which +shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand +Monk,) and who shall have investigated his antecedents and his past and +present standing and connections; and after such investigation, shall +have pronounced him competent and worthy to become a member. +<i>Provided</i>, no one shall be presented for admission into, or become a +member of, this Order who shall not have attained the age of eighteen +years.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> No one shall become a member of this Order unless he +shall <i>voluntarily</i> take the following oaths or obligations, and shall +<i>satisfactorily</i> answer the following interrogatories, while kneeling, +with his right hand raised to heaven, and his left hand resting on the +Bible:</p> + +<p class="head5">PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION.</p> + +<p>"I —— solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing +that I may this day (or night) learn concerning the Order of the * * *, +and that I will true answer make to such interrogatories as may be put +to me touching my competency for admission into the same. So help me +God."</p> + +<p class="head5">INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED:</p> + +<p>1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon application for membership in +the * * *, or have you ever been expelled from the same?</p> + +<p>2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Radical +Republican party, or either of the organizations known as the "Loyal +League" and the "Grand Army of the Republic?".</p> + +<p>3d. Are you opposed to the principles and policy of the Radical party, +and to the Loyal League, and the Grand Army of the Republic, so far as +you are informed of the character and purposes of those organizations?</p> + +<p>4th. Did you belong to the Federal army during the late war, and fight +against the South during the existence of the same?</p> + +<p>5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both social and political?</p> + +<p>6th. Are you in favor of a white man's government in this country?</p> + +<p>7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty, and a Government of +equitable laws instead of a Government of violence and oppression?</p> + +<p>8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Constitutional rights of the +South?</p> + +<p>9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchisement and emancipation of the +white men of the South, and the restitution of the Southern people to +all their rights, alike proprietary, civil, and political?</p> + +<p>10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right of self-preservation of +the people against the exercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power?</p> + +<p>If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfactorily answered, and the +candidate desires to go further (after something of the character and +nature of the Order has thus been indicated to him) and to be admitted +to the benefits, mysteries, secrets and purposes of the Order, he shall +then be required to take the following final oath or obligation. But if +said interrogatories are not satisfactorily answered, or the candidate +declines to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after being +solemnly admonished by the initiating offi-cer of the deep secresy to +which the oath already taken has bound him, and that the extreme +pen-alty of the law will follow a violation of the same.</p> + +<p class="head5">FINAL OBLIGATION.</p> + +<p>"I —— of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of Almighty +God, do solemnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to any one +not a member of the Order of the * * *, by any intimation, sign, +symbol, word or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the +secrets, signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order of the * * +*, or that I am a member of the same, or that I know any one who <i>is</i> a +member; and that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of the Order +of the * * * So help me God."</p> + +<p>The initiating officer will then proceed to explain to the new members +the character and objects of the Order, and introduce him to the +mysteries and secrets of the same; and shall read to him this Prescript +and the Edicts thereof, or present the same to him for personal +perusal.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE VIII.</p> + +<p class="head5">AMENDMENTS.</p> + +<p>This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof shall never be changed, +except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in +convention assembled, and at which convention the Grand Wizard shall +preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the application of a +majority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the Grand Wizard shall +call and appoint the time and place for said convention; which, when +assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and amendments as +it may think will promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and more +thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the Order.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE IX.</p> + +<p class="head5">INTERDICTION.</p> + +<p>The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order shall never be written, +but the same shall be communicated orally.</p> + +<p class="head5">ARTICLE X.</p> + +<p class="head5">EDICTS.</p> + +<p>1. No one shall become a member of a distant Den, when there is a Den +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall +any one become a member of any Den, or of this Order in any way after +he shall have been once rejected, upon application for membership.</p> + +<p>2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members thereof, shall operate +beyond their prescribed limits, unless invited or ordered by the proper +authority so to do.</p> + +<p>3. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the Den; nor shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting +while intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in such +condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor more than +five dollars, to go into the revenue of the Order.</p> + +<p>4. Any member may be expelled from the Order by a majority vote of the +Officers and Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if after such +expulsion, such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia, or +insignia of the Order, or in any way claim to be a member of the same, +he shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation made +by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same manner as +if he were then a member.</p> + +<p>5. Upon the expulsion of any member from the Order, the Grand Cyclops, +or the officer acting in his stead, shall immediately report the same +to the Grand Giant of the Province, who shall cause the fact to be made +known and read in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit the +same, through the proper channels, to the Grand Dragon of the Realm, +who shall cause it to be published to every Den in his Realm, and shall +notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous Realms of the same.</p> + +<p>6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to his Den, at least once in every month; and shall +read them to each new member when he is initiated, or present the same +to him for personal perusal.</p> + +<p>7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one dollar, to be paid +when the candidate is initiated and received into the Order.</p> + +<p>8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control and +government as they may deem requisite and necessary. <i>Provided</i>, no +Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or Edicts of +this Prescript.</p> + +<p>9. The most profound and rigid secrecy concerning any and everything +that relates to the Order, shall at all times be maintained.</p> + +<p>10. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets of this Order, +shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law.</p> + +<p class="head5">ADMONITION.</p> + +<p>Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, bethink thee! it was our +covenant!</p> + +<p class="head5">REGISTER.</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary="Register."> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">I.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="45%"> + 1. Dismal,<br /> + 2. Mystic,<br /> + 3. Stormy,<br /> + 4. Peculiar,<br /> + 5. Blooming,<br /> + 6. Brilliant,</td> + <td class="tdl" width="55%"> + 7. Painful,<br /> + 8. Portentous,<br /> + 9. Fading,<br /> + 10. Melancholy,<br /> + 11. Glorious,<br /> + 12. Gloomy.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">II.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" colspan="2"><span class="fakesc">I.</span> White, <span class="fakesc">II.</span> Green, <span class="fakesc">III.</span> Yellow, <span class="fakesc">IV.</span> Amber,<br /> + <span class="fakesc">V.</span> Purple, <span class="fakesc">VI.</span> Crimson, <span class="fakesc">VII.</span> Emerald.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">III.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> + 1. Fearful,<br /> + 2. Startling,<br /> + 3. Wonderful,<br /> + 4. Alarming,<br /> + 5. Mournful,<br /> + 6. Appalling,</td> + <td class="tdl"> + 7. Hideous,<br /> + 8. Frightful,<br /> + 9. Awful,<br /> + 10. Horrible,<br /> + 11. Dreadful,<br /> + 12. Last.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">Cumberland.</td> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + + +<p class="head5">L'ENVOI.</p> + +<p>To the lovers of law and order, peace and justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the +Order of the * * *</p> + +<p class="head5"><i>Resurgamus.</i></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<a name="text" id="text"></a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="block"> +<p class="cen"><b>Transcript of image text from page 192</b></p> + +<br /> + +<p class="cen">Prospective scene in the "City of Oaks," 4th of March, 1868.</p> + +<div class="block1" style="font-size: 90%;"><p>"Hang, curs, hang! * * * * * <i>Their</i> complexion is +perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to <i>their</i> +hanging! * * * * * If they be not born to be hanged, +our case is miserable."</p></div> + +<p>The above cut represents the fate in store for those great pests +of Southern society—the carpet-bagger and scallawag—if found +in Dixie's Land after the break of day on the 4th of March next.</p> + +<p>The genus carpet-bagger is a man with a lank head of dry hair, a +lank stomach and long legs, club knees and splay feet, dried +legs and lank jaws with eyes like a fish and mouth like a shark. +Add to this a habit of sneaking and dodging about in unknown +places—habiting with negroes in dark dens and back streets—a +look like a hound and the smell of a polecat.</p> + +<p>Words are wanting to do full justice to the genus scallawag. He +is a cur with a contracted head, downward look, slinking and +uneasy gait; sleeps in the woods, like old Crossland, at the +bare idea of a Ku-Klux raid.</p> + +<p>Our scallawag is the local leper of the community. Unlike the +carpet-bagger, he is native, which is so much the worse. Once he +was respected in his circle; his head was level, and he would +look his neighbor in the face. Now, possessed of the itch of +office and the salt rheum of Radicalism, he is a mangy dog, +slinking through the alleys, haunting the Governor's office, +defiling with tobacco juice the steps of the Capitol, stretching +his lazy carcass in the sun on the Square, or the benches of the +Mayor's Court.</p> + +<p>He waiteth for the troubling of the political waters, to the end +that he may step in and be healed of the itch by the ointment of +office. For office he 'bums' as a toper 'bums' for the +satisfying dram. For office, yet in prospective, he hath +bartered respectability; hath abandoned business, and ceased to +labor with his hands, but employs his feet kicking out +boot-heels against lamp post and corner curb, while discussing +the question of office</p> + +<p class="cen"><a href="#imagep192">Back</a></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<a name="text2" id="text2"></a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="block"> +<p class="cen"><b>Transcript of image text from page 196</b></p> + +<br /> + +<p>"Dam Your Soul. The Horrible <i>Sepulchre</i> and Bloody Moon has at +last arrived. Some live to-day to-morrow "<i>Die.</i>" We the +undersigned understand through our Grand "<i>Cyclops</i>" that you +have recommended a big Black Nigger for Male agent on our nu +rode; wel, sir, Jest you understand in time if he gets on the +rode you can make up your mind to pull roape. If you have any +thing to say in regard to the Matter, meet the Grand Cyclops and +Conclave at Den No. 4 at 12 o'clock midnight, Oct. 1st, 1871.</p> + +<p>"When you are in Calera we warn you to hold your tounge and not +speak so much with your mouth or otherwise you will be taken on +supprise and led out by the Klan and learnt to stretch hemp. +Beware. Beware. Beware. Beware.</p> + +<p>(Signed)</p> + +<p class="right"> +"PHILLIP ISENBAUM,<br /> +"<i>Grand Cyclops</i>.<br /> +"JOHN BANKSTOWN.<br /> +"ESAU DAVES.<br /> +"MARCUS THOMAS.<br /> +"BLOODY BONES.</p> + +<p>"You know who. And all others of the Klan."</p> + +<p class="cen"><a href="#imagep196">Back</a></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ku Klux Klan, by +J. C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. 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C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. Fleming + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ku Klux Klan + Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment + +Author: J. C. Lester + D. L. Wilson + Walter L. Fleming + +Release Date: March 29, 2010 [EBook #31819] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KU KLUX KLAN *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has | + | been preserved. | + | | + | The pages in Appendix I and II are preserved as printed, | + | with latin headers and page numbers marked like so: | + | [Header: 'text' 'page number'], and latin footers like | + | so: [Footer: 'text'.] A compiled version is included at | + | the end for the benefit of the reader. | + | | + | Many of the illustrations are facsimiles, so have | + | bleedthrough in the original images. Also the first | + | image is missing in the original. | + | | + +-----------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + KU KLUX KLAN + + ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND + DISBANDMENT + + BY + + J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON + + WITH + APPENDICES CONTAINING THE PRESCRIPTS + OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, SPECIMEN + ORDERS AND WARNINGS + + WITH + INTRODUCTION AND NOTES + BY + WALTER L. FLEMING, PH. D. + + _Professor of History in West Virginia University; Author + of "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama."_ + + + + +NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT. + + +Assistance was given to me while searching for information in regard +to Ku Klux Klan, by many former members of the order, and by their +friends and relatives. Of especial value were the details given to me +by Major James R. Crowe, of Sheffield, Alabama; the late Ryland +Randolph, Esq., and his son, Ryland Randolph, Jr., of Birmingham, +Alabama; Judge Z.T. Ewing, of Pulaski, Tennessee; Miss Cora R. Jones, +of Birmingham, Alabama, niece of one of the founders of the Klan; Mr. +Lacy H. Wilson, of Bristol, Tennessee, the son of one of the authors +of the History printed within, Major S.A. Cunningham and Mr. A.V. +Goodpasture, of Nashville, and Dr. John A. Wyeth, of New York City. + +There is still much that is obscure about Ku Klux Klan and I shall be +glad to obtain additional information in regard to the order, and also +to receive notice of mistakes and errors in this account. + + W.L.F. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + +INTRODUCTION. +BY WALTER L. FLEMING. 13 + + +KU KLUX KLAN. + +BY J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON. + + PAGE + +Chapter I. The Origin 47 + +Chapter II. The Spread of the Klan 68 + +Chapter III. The Transformation 83 + +Chapter IV. The Decline 100 + +Chapter V. Disbandment 125 + + +APPENDICES. + + PAGE + +Appendix I. Prescript of Ku Klux Klan 133 + +Appendix II. Revised and Amended Prescript of Ku Klux Klan 151 + +Appendix III. Constitution of a Local Order 177 + +Appendix IV. Ku Klux Orders, Warnings, and Oaths 187 + +Index 199 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +1. Badge worn by high officials of the Klan. See outside cover. + + PAGE + +2. Some Klansmen 19 + +3. General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Grand Wizard 28 + +4. General John B. Gordon 33 + +5. Room in which the Klan was organized 53 + +6. Costumes worn in Mississippi and West Alabama 58 + +7. Costumes worn in Tennessee and North Alabama 97 + +8. Carpetbaggers Listening to a Ku Klux Report, (Cartoon) 113 + +9. The Fate of the Carpetbagger and the Scalawag, (Cartoon) 192 + +10. A Specimen Warning sent by the Klan 196 + + + + + "When laws become lawless contrivances to defeat + the ends of justice, it is not surprising that + the people resort to lawless expedients for + securing their rights."--_S.S. Cox, in "Three + Decades," p. 558._ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY + +WALTER L. FLEMING + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + +By WALTER L. FLEMING, Ph. D., + +Professor of History in West Virginia University. + + +Twenty-one years ago there was privately printed in Nashville, +Tennessee, a little book by J.C. Lester and D.L. Wilson, that +purported to be an account, from inside information, of the great +secret order of Reconstruction days, known to the public as Ku Klux +Klan. It attracted little notice then; and since that time it has not +been given the attention it deserved as a historical document.[1] At +the time of writing, sectional feeling was still inflamed; the +Northern people were not ready to hear anything favorable about the Ku +Klux Klan, which they considered a band of outlaws and murderers; and +the Southern people were not desirous of being reminded of the +dreadful Reconstruction period. Many of the members of the Klan who +had been hunted for their lives, and who were still technically +outlawed, were unwilling to make known their connection with the order +and some even considered their oaths still binding. But since the book +was printed, the Prescripts or Constitutions of the order have come to +light, and the ex-members are now generally willing to tell all they +know about the organization. As yet, no other member has written an +account of the Klan, though several have been projected, and Lester +and Wilson's History seems likely to remain the only one written +altogether from inside sources. + +The authors, Capt. John C. Lester and Rev. D.L. Wilson, were in 1884, +when the booklet was written, residents in Pulaski, Tennessee, where +the first Den of the Klan was founded. Major Lester was one of the six +original members of the Pulaski Den or Circle. He made a fine record +as a soldier in the Civil War in the Third Tennessee (Confederate) +Infantry, and afterwards became a lawyer and an official in the +Methodist Church, and was a member of the Tennessee legislature at the +time of writing the book. Rev. D.L. Wilson, who put the account into +its present form, was born in 1849, in Augusta County, Virginia. He +went to school to Jed Hotchkiss and was graduated as valedictorian of +his class from Washington and Lee University, in 1873, and a year +later from the Union Theological Seminary, near Hampden-Sidney, +Virginia. From 1874 to 1880 he was pastor of a Presbyterian church at +Broadway, Virginia, and from 1880 to 1902 he served a church in +Pulaski, Tennessee. He died in 1902 after a six months' residence in +Bristol, Tennessee, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. He was +not a member of the Klan, but was acquainted with the founders and +with many other former members, and had access to all the records of +the order that had not been destroyed. In addition to information +received from other members, Wilson was assisted by Captain Lester, +who furnished most of the facts used, revised the manuscript and the +book was printed with both names on the title page. + +As a general account of the Ku Klux movement Lester and Wilson's +History leaves something to be desired. It is colored too much by +conditions in Tennessee. No knowledge is shown of other organizations +similar to Ku Klux Klan, when in fact there were several other very +important ones, such as the White Brotherhood, the White League, the +Pale Faces, the Constitutional Union Guards, and one, the Knights of +the White Camelia,[2] that was larger than the Klan and covered a +wider territory. Then, too, in an attempt to make a moderate statement +that would be generally accepted, the authors failed to portray +clearly the chaotic social, economic and political conditions that +caused the rise of such orders, and in endeavoring to condemn the acts +of violence committed under cloak of the order they went too far in +the direction of apologetic explanation. Consequently, the causes seem +somewhat trivial and the results not very important.[3] It would seem +from their account that after a partial success, the movement failed +in its attempt to regulate society, and degenerated into general +disorder. This is a superficial conclusion and is not concurred in by +the survivors of the period and those who understand the conditions of +that time. The remnants of such a secret, illegal order were certain +to degenerate finally into violence, but before it reached this stage +it had accomplished much good in reducing to order the social +chaos.[4] + + [Illustration: SOME KLANSMEN + 1. D.L. Wilson, one of the authors of "Ku Klux Klan." 2. Major + J.R. Crowe, one of the founders. 3. Captain John C. Lester, one + of the founders. 4. General Albert Pike, chief judicial officer. + 5. General W.J. Hardee. 6. Calvin Jones, one of the founders. 7. + Ryland Randolph.] + +In view of the fact that the Lester and Wilson account does not +mention names it will be of interest to examine the _personnel_ of the +original Pulaski Circle, out of which the Klan developed. (See p. 52). +There were six young men in the party that first began to meet in the +fall and winter of 1865: (1) Captain John C. Lester, of whom something +has been said. (2) Major James Richard Crowe, now of Sheffield, +Alabama, who was a native of Pulaski and was educated at Waterbury +Academy and Giles College. When the Civil War began he was studying +law in Marion, Alabama, and enlisted at once in the Marion Rifles, +Company "G," Fourth Alabama Infantry. Later he was transferred to the +35th Tennessee Infantry. He was in the battles of Manassas, Fort +Donelson, Shiloh, Shelton's Hill, White Farm, Richmond, Perrysville, +and others of less importance. Three times he was severely wounded and +twice discharged for disability. He was captured with Sam Davis and +both were tried as spies; Crowe was acquitted and Davis was hanged. He +has held high rank in the Masonic order and has been an official in +the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. (3) John Kennedy, the only +survivor of the original six except Major Crowe. He was a soldier in +the 3rd Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War, is a Presbyterian, +and an honored citizen of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. (4) Calvin Jones, +son of Judge Thomas M. Jones, was a lawyer, and a member of the +Episcopal Church. He was Adjutant of the 32nd Tennessee Infantry +during the Civil War. (5) Richard R. Reed was a lawyer, a +Presbyterian, and during the war had served in the 3rd Tennessee +Infantry. (6) Frank O. McCord was editor of the _Pulaski Citizen_, a +Methodist, and had been a private soldier in the Confederate service. +Two others came in at the second or third meeting--Capt. J.L. Pearcy, +later of Nashville, now of Washington, D.C., and James McCallum.[5] +The founders were all of Scotch-Irish descent and most of them were +Presbyterians. + +In regard to the founding of the Pulaski Circle, Major J.R. Crowe +says: "Frank O. McCord was elected Grand Cyclops, and James R. Crowe, +Grand Turk. A committee composed of Richard R. Reed and Calvin +Jones[6] was appointed to select a name for the organization. The +Greek for _circle_ was chosen. We called it Kuklos, which was changed +to Ku Klux afterward when the name was proposed to the Circle. John +Kennedy suggested that we add another _K_, and the order was then +called Ku Klux Klan.... The mysterious lights seen floating about the +ruins (See p. 61) presented a weird and uncanny appearance and filled +the superstitious with dread of the place; so we were never disturbed, +and it only required a quaint garb and a few mysterious sounds to +convince the uninitiated that we were spirits from the other world. We +were quick to catch on to this idea and we governed ourselves +accordingly.... During our parades or appearances in public the +darkies either hid out or remained close in their houses.... The +origin of the order had no political significance. It was at first +purely social and for our amusement. It proved a great blessing to the +entire South and did what the State and Federal officials could not +do--it brought order out of chaos and peace and happiness to our +beloved South.... The order was careful in the admission of members +and I have never known of a betrayal of the secrets of the order. I am +proud to say that I never knew of one single act done by the genuine +Ku Klux Klan that I am ashamed of or do not now endorse." + +Major Crowe and other members repeatedly mention the fact that the +membership of the Klan was largely of Scotch-Irish descent. This was +bound to be the case since in the territory covered by the Klan proper +the great majority of the Scotch-Irish of the South were settled. The +Ku Klux Klan extended from Virginia to Mississippi through the white +county section--the Piedmont and mountain region. It seldom extended +into the Black Belt, though it was founded on its borders. There +another similar order--the Knights of the White Camelia--held sway. In +the Piedmont region before the spread of the Klan, there were numerous +secret protective societies among the whites, and these were later +absorbed into the Klan. The Klan led a more strenuous existence than +the Black Belt orders. In most of its territory, social conditions +were worse than in the black counties. It is a mistake to consider +that in 1865-1870, the whites in the densest black districts were in +the place of greatest danger. There the blacks were usually the best +behaved; there the whites were never divided and never lost their grip +on society; there the negro still respected the white people as +beings almost superhuman. But race relations were worse in the white +districts where there was a lower class of whites, some of whom +mistreated the negro and others encouraged him to violence. Here the +negro had never had the great respect for _all_ whites that the Black +Belt negro had, and here the whites were somewhat divided among +themselves. During the war the "tories," so called, or those who +claimed to be Union sympathizers and the Confederates, alternately +mistreated one another, and the close of the war brought no peace to +such communities. To this region escaped the outlaws, deserters, etc., +of both armies during the war, and here the wreckage of war was worst. +Such was the nature of the country where the Klan flourished. It was a +kind of ex-Confederate protest against the doings of the "tories," +Unionists and outlaws, and the negroes banded in the Union League. For +several years neither the Federal Government nor the State Government +gave protection to the ex-Confederates of this region, and naturally +secret associations were formed for self-defense. This method of +self-defense is as old as history.[7] + +The members of Ku Klux Klan are nowadays inclined to consider that +their order comprehended all that took shape in resistance to the +Africanization of society and government during the Reconstruction +period. As one ex-member said: "Nearly all prominent +men--ex-Confederates--in all the Southern states were connected in +some way with the Klan." This is true only indirectly. Nearly all +white men, it may be said, took part in the movement now called the +"Ku Klux Movement." But more of them belonged to other organizations +than were members of the Klan. The Klan had the most striking name and +it was later applied to the whole movement. The more prominent +politicians, it is said, had no direct connection with any such +orders. Such connection would have embarrassed and hampered them in +their work, but most of them were in full sympathy with the objects of +the Ku Klux movement, and profited by its successes. Many of the +genuine Unionists later joined in the movement, and there were some +few negro members, I have been told. Some prominent men were honorary +members, so to speak, of the order. They sympathized with its objects, +and gave advice and encouragement, but were not initiated and did not +take active part. General John B. Gordon, of Georgia, and General W.J. +Hardee, of Alabama, were such members. The active members were, as a +rule, young men. In this respect the Klan differed from the order of +White Camelia, which discouraged the initiation of very young men. + +Some well-known members of the Klan were General John C. Brown, of +Pulaski, Tennessee; Captain John W. Morton, now Secretary of State of +Tennessee; Ryland Randolph, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, editor of the +_Independent Monitor_, the official organ of the Klan in Alabama; +General N.B. Forrest and General George W. Gordon, of Memphis, +Tennessee; Generals John B. Gordon, A.H. Colquitt, G.T. Anderson and +A.R. Lawton, of Georgia; General W.J. Hardee, of Alabama; Colonel +Joseph Fussell, of Columbia, Tennessee. General Albert Pike, who stood +high in the Masonic order, was the chief judicial officer of the Klan. + +General Forrest heard of the order after it began to spread, and after +investigation consented to become its head as Grand Wizard. He was +initiated by Captain John W. Morton, who had formerly been his chief +of artillery. Under him the order, which was becoming demoralized, was +reorganized. As soon as it had done its work he disbanded it. An +enterprising newspaper reporter interviewed General Forrest, in 1868, +on the subject of Ku Klux Klan and extracted much information;[8] but +when before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, in 1871, the General +would make only general statements and he evaded some of the +interrogatories. To the committee he appeared to be wonderfully +familiar with the principles of the order, but very ignorant as to +details. The average member of Congress, ignorant of Southern +conditions, did not understand that the members of the order +considered themselves bound by the supreme oath of the Klan and that +other oaths, if in conflict with it, were not binding. That is, the +ex-Confederates under the command of Forrest, Grand Wizard of the +Invisible Empire, were obeying the first law of nature and were bound +to reveal nothing to injure the cause, just as when Confederates under +Forrest, Lieutenant-General of the Confederate Army, they were bound +not to reveal military information to the hostile forces. The +government, in their view, had not only failed to protect them, but +was being used to oppress them. Consequently they were disregarding +its claim to obedience. + + [Illustration: GENERAL N.B. FORREST + Grand Wizard of Ku Klux Klan + FACING PAGE 28] + +Now that General Forrest's connection with the Klan is known it is +amusing to read the testimony he gave before the Ku Klux Committee of +Congress in 1871.[9] Though evading questions aimed to elicit definite +information, yet he was willing to speak of the general conditions +that caused the development of the organization in Tennessee. He +stated that it was meant as a defensive organization among the +Southern whites to offset the work of the Union League, which had +organized, armed and drilled the negroes, and had committed numerous +outrages on the whites; to protect ex-Confederates from extermination +by Brownlow's "loyal" militia, to prevent the burning by negroes of +gins, mills, dwellings, and villages, which was becoming common; to +protect white women from criminal negro men; in short to make life and +property safe and keep the South from becoming a second San Domingo. +He stated that about the time the order arose he was getting as many +as fifty letters a day from his old soldiers who were suffering under +the disordered conditions that followed the war, whose friends and +relatives were being murdered, whose wives and daughters were being +insulted, etc. They wanted advice and assistance from him. Not being +able to write himself, on account of a wounded shoulder, he kept a +secretary busy answering such letters. Most of the defensive bodies, +Forrest stated, had no names and had no connection with one another. +He admitted that he had belonged to the Pale Faces, and that he fully +approved of the objects of the Klan. A copy of the original Prescript +was shown to him and he was able to say that he had never seen it +before. In his day, the Revised and Amended Prescript was used, which +was never discovered by any investigating committee. He maintained +that the order was careful in admitting new members, only sober, +mature, discreet gentlemen being allowed to join. At one time, Forrest +estimated, so a newspaper reporter stated, that the Klan had 40,000 +members in Tennessee and 550,000 in the entire South. This estimate +was probably not exaggerated if the entire membership of all the +orders similar to the Klan be counted in. Forrest refused to give the +names of members. It is likely, from several bits of evidence, that he +had much to do with consolidating the order, giving it a military +organization, and making its work effective. + +General John B. Gordon, the most prominent military man, next to +Forrest, who was connected with the Klan, gave a clear account of the +conditions in Georgia that led to the organization of the defensive +societies of whites.[10] In Georgia the state of affairs where General +Gordon lived was in some respects unlike conditions in Tennessee. In +Tennessee the whites were somewhat divided among themselves and there +were not so many blacks. In Georgia, according to Gordon, the +principal danger was from blacks, incited to hostility and violence by +alien whites of low character. The latter organized the negroes into +armed Union Leagues, taught them that the whites were hostile to all +their rights, and that the lands of the whites were to be, or ought to +be, divided among the blacks. Under such influences the negroes who +had not made trouble began to show signs of restlessness; some of them +banded together to plunder the whites, and serious crimes became +frequent, especially that of rape, and men were afraid to leave their +families in order to attend to their business. The whites feared a +general insurrection of the blacks, and as Gordon stated, "if the sort +of teachings given [to the negroes] in Georgia had been carried out to +its logical results the negroes would have slaughtered whole +neighborhoods." That they did not do so, was, in his opinion, due to +the forbearance and self-control of the whites, and to the natural +kindness and good disposition of the negroes and their remembrance of +former pleasant relations with the whites. There was no great danger, +as one can see today, of the negro uprisings, but the whites thought +then that there was. The religious frenzy of the blacks during the +year after the war also alarmed the whites. The black troops stationed +in Georgia were frequently guilty of gross outrages against white +citizens and were a constant incitement to violence on the part of +their fellow blacks. The carpetbag government pardoned and turned +loose upon society the worst criminals. There was no law for several +years. The whites were subject to arbitrary arrest and trials by +drumhead courts-martial; military prisoners were badly mistreated. In +general, society and government were in a condition of anarchy; the +white race was disorganized, and the blacks organized, but not for +good purposes. + + [Illustration: GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON + Head of Klan in Georgia + FACING PAGE 33] + +General Gordon spoke of another matter often mentioned by the best +class of ex-Confederate soldiers: the Southern soldier believed +that the "Appomattox Program" had not been carried out. At Appomattox +the magnanimity of General Grant and the victorious soldiers had +impressed very favorably the defeated Confederates. The latter +believed that if Grant and the soldiers who had defeated them had been +allowed to settle matters, there would have been no more trouble. +Instead, the politicians had taken charge and had stirred up endless +strife. No effort at conciliation had been made; and the magnanimity +of Grant gave way to the vindictive policies of politicians.[11] The +whites believed that the "understanding of Appomattox" had been +violated and that they had been deliberately humiliated by the +Washington government. + +Such were some of the influences, in General Gordon's opinion, that +caused the spread of the Klan in Georgia. He says that he heartily +approved the objects of the order, that it was purely for +self-protection, an organization for police purposes, a peace police, +which kept the peace, prevented riots, and restrained the passionate +whites as well as the violent blacks. Its membership was, he said, of +the best citizens, mostly ex-Confederates, led by the instinct of +self-preservation to band together. It was secret because the leaders +were sure that the sympathy of the Federal Government would be against +them and would consider a public organization a fresh rebellion. It +took no part in politics and died out when the whites were able to +obtain protection from the police and the courts. + +These were the explanations of men who were high in the order but who +never attended a meeting and were never in actual contact with its +workings. Private members--Ghouls they were called--could have told +more thrilling stories. But deficient as the accounts of Gordon and +Forrest are in detail they supplement the history of Lester and Wilson +in explaining the causes that lay at the bottom of the secret +revolution generally called the Ku Klux Movement. + +As to the success or failure of the movement, Lester and Wilson, +condemning the violence that naturally resulted from the movement, +cause the impression (Ch. 4) that the main result was disorder. Such +was not the case, nor was it the intention of the writers to create +such an impression. The important work of the Klan was accomplished in +regaining for the whites control over the social order and in putting +them in a fair way to regain political control. In some States this +occurred sooner than in others. When the order accomplished its work +it passed away. It was formally disbanded before the evil results of +carpet bag governments could be seen. When it went out of existence in +1869, there had been few outrages, but its name and prestige lived +after it and served to hide the evil deeds of all sorts and conditions +of outlaws. But these could be crushed by the government, State or +Federal. In a wider and truer sense the phrase "Ku Klux Movement" +means the attitude of Southern whites toward the various measures of +Reconstruction lasting from 1865 until 1876, and, in some respects, +almost to the present day. + + * * * * * + +Two elaborate Prescripts or Constitutions were adopted by the Ku Klux +Klan--the original Prescript (See Appendix I) and the Revised and +Amended Prescript (See Appendix II). The ritual and initiatory +ceremonies and obligations were never printed. The by-laws and the +ritual of the Pulaski Circle or Den were elaborate but were in +manuscript only. They were quite absurd and were intended only to +furnish amusement to the members at the expense of the candidates for +initiation. No oaths were prescribed--only a pledge of secrecy. As the +Klan spread among neighboring towns, the Pulaski by-laws and ritual +were modified for the use of new Dens. After the Klan had changed +character and become a body of regulators, and it was decided that the +administration should be centralized, a convention of delegates from +the Dens met in Nashville, in April, 1867, and adopted the original +Prescript already referred to. Lester and Wilson are mistaken in +saying (Ch. 3) that the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted at +this convention. Where and how this Prescript was printed no one now +knows. A copy was sent, without notice or explanation, from Memphis to +the Grand Cyclops of each Den. It must have been printed in a small +printing office since in the last pages the supply of *'s and +'s ran +out and other characters were substituted. Many Dens used only this +Prescript, and most of the members have never heard of more than one +Prescript. + +In some respects this first Constitution was found defective and in +1868 the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted. Who framed it we +do not know, but it is known how it was printed. Frank O. McCord, one +of the founders of the Pulaski Circle, was editor of the _Pulaski +Citizen_. A relative of his who worked in the printing office of the +_Citizen_, made the following statement some years ago in reference to +a copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript.[12] + +"This is an exact copy of the original Prescript printed in the office +of the Pulaski (Tennessee) _Citizen_, L.W. McCord, proprietor, in +1868. I was a printer boy, and with John H. Kirk, the father of the +Rev. Harry Kirk, recently of Nashville, set the type. My brother, L.W. +McCord, received a communication one day, delivered to him by means of +a hole in the wall near the door, in which the Ku Klux deposited all +their communications for the paper, asking for an estimate for +printing this pamphlet, describing it. He delivered his reply in the +same hole, and the following morning the copy in full, the money, and +minute directions as to the disposition of the books when completed, +were in the hole. We did it all under seal of secrecy and concealment, +hid the galleys of type as they were set up, stitched them with our +own hands in a back room over Shapard's store, and trimmed them with a +shoe knife on the floor. When finished they were tied into a bundle +and deposited late at night just outside the office door, whence they +were immediately taken by unseen hands. I knew personally all the +originators of the Ku Klux Klan, and the history of its origin, its +deeds, purposes and accomplishments. + + "LAPS D. MCCORD."[13] + +It will be noticed on comparing the two Prescripts that there are some +considerable differences between the two. The Revised and Amended +Prescript is eight pages longer than the other; the name of the order +is longer; the poetical selections that introduce the first are +omitted from the second; the second has Latin quotations only at the +top of the page; and the second Prescript throws much more light on +the character and objects of the order; the register is changed, and +important changes in the administration are provided for. + +The imperfect Prescript printed in Appendix III was used in the +Carolinas and was evidently written out from memory by some person who +had belonged to the genuine Klan. The members were widely scattered +and to many of them the entire contents of the Prescript were never +known. + +When the Klan was disbanded strict orders were issued that all +documents relating to the order should be destroyed and few +Prescripts escaped. At present only one copy of the original copy is +known to be in existence. That one was used by Ryland Randolph, of +Tuscaloosa, Alabama, formerly Grand Giant of a province of the order, +and was given to me by him. It is a little brown pamphlet of sixteen +pages, and is reprinted in Appendix I. Randolph stated that he never +saw the Revised Prescript. There are two copies of the Revised and +Amended Prescript, one in the library of the Southern Society of New +York, which is now deposited with the Columbia University Library; the +other belongs to Mr. J.L. Pearcy, formerly of Nashville, now of +Washington, D.C. From the latter copy the late Dr. W.R. Garrett, of +Nashville, had the plates made that are now used in reproducing the +Revised and Amended Prescript in Appendix II. + + * * * * * + +The curious orders and warnings printed in Appendix IV had several +purposes. They were meant to warn and frighten evil-doers, to mystify +the public, and to give notice to members. Parts of the orders were +written in cypher which could be interpreted by the initiated. The +rest was gloomy sounding nonsense calculated to alarm some obnoxious +person or persons. The cypher used is found in the Register of the +Prescript. All orders that I have seen were written according to the +Register of the first Prescript. This may be accounted for by the fact +that in 1868 it was generally forbidden by law or by military order to +print or distribute notices from the Ku Klux Klan. About all that the +cypher was used for, I have been told, was to fix dates, etc. There +are thirty-one adjectives in the Register, one for each day of the +month, the first twelve for the morning hours, the last twelve for the +evening hours, and the seven in the middle for the days of the week. +The last word--"Cumberland"--is said to have been a general password. +At first the orders were printed in the newspapers, and during the +winter of 1867-1868 and the spring of 1868 many of them appeared. As +to the significance of the orders printed in Appendix IV, Ryland +Randolph wrote: "I well remember those notices you saw in _The +Monitor_ for they were concocted and posted by my own hand, disguised, +of course." ... "You ask if any of the notices you saw in _The +Monitor_ had any real meaning. Well, they had this much meaning: the +very night of the day on which these notices made their appearances, +three notably offensive negro men were dragged out of their beds, +escorted to the old bone-yard (3/4 mile from Tuscaloosa) and thrashed in +the regular ante-bellum style until their unnatural nigger pride had a +tumble, and humbleness to the white man reigned supreme." + + * * * * * + +Some of the illustrations used are of historical interest. The cartoon +opposite p. 192 is taken from the _Independent Monitor_ of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama, a Ku Klux newspaper. The hanging carpetbagger was Rev. A.S. +Lakin, of Ohio, a Northern Methodist missionary to the negroes, who +had succeeded in getting himself elected President of the University +of Alabama. The other hanging figure represents Dr. N.B. Cloud, the +scalawag superintendent of public instruction who was assisting Lakin +to get his position. They were both driven from Tuscaloosa by the +Klan. The wood-cut from which this picture was printed was fashioned +by Randolph himself in _The Monitor_ office. The picture was eagerly +welcomed by the Reconstructionists as an evidence of the state of +affairs in Alabama, and it was reproduced far and wide during the +Presidential campaign of 1868. Randolph's brother Democrats were +furious because he had furnished such excellent campaign material to +the other side. In one of Randolph's letters he states: "The name of +the Ohio newspaper that republished my famous wood-cut was the +_Cincinnati Commercial_. I have good authority for stating that said +paper issued 500,000 copies for distribution throughout Ohio during +the Seymour-Grant campaign. Not only this, but a Columbus, Ohio, paper +also issued a large edition." + +The cartoon opposite p. 113 is reproduced from "The Loil Legislature," +a pamphlet by Capt. B.H. Screws, of Montgomery. The Alabama +Reconstruction Legislature was the first to make an investigation of +Ku Klux Klan and _Sibley_ and _Coon_ were two carpetbaggers active in +the investigation. + +Opposite p. 196 is a typical warning sent to persons obnoxious to the +Klan. It is taken from the Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony. + +The costumes represented opposite p. 58 were captured in Mississippi +and were worn both in Mississippi and in Western Alabama. The +costumes represented opposite p. 97 were captured after the famous Ku +Klux parade in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1868. Federal soldiers donned +the captured disguises and were photographed. During the campaign of +1868 the pictures were reproduced in the Reconstructionist newspapers. + +Miss Cora R. Jones kindly furnished a drawing (see outside cover) of +the badge worn by the higher officials of the Klan, and a sketch of +the room (see p. 53) in which the Klan was founded. Her uncle, Calvin +Jones, was one of the founders, the father, Charles P. Jones, was also +a member and the badge mentioned belonged to him. + +The text of the Lester and Wilson History is reprinted without change. + + _West Virginia University, + October, 1905._ + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Cutler, in his "Lynch Law," p. 139, is the first writer outside of +the South who has paid serious attention to this history of Ku Klux +Klan. + +[2] The Constitution and Ritual of the Knights of the White Camelia +have been printed in West Virginia University Documents relating to +Reconstruction, No. 1. + +[3] Tourgee's "Invisible Empire" gives the carpetbagger's view of the +Ku Klux movement, and, though filled with worthless testimony from the +Ku Klux Report, it shows a very clear conception of the real meaning +of the movement and a correct appreciation of its results. The best +later interpretation is that of Mr. William Garrott Brown in "The +Lower South," Ch. 4. + +[4] For a full account of its work in Alabama see Fleming's "Civil War +and Reconstruction in Alabama," Ch. 21. + +[5] Other well-known members of the Pulaski Den were: Captain Robert +Mitchell, Captain Thomas McCoy, Dr. M.S. Waters, Dr. James Bowers, +Milton Voorheis, C.P. Jones, Robert Martin, Dr. C.C. Abernathy, I.L. +Shappard, Robert Shappard, J.L. Nelson, John Moore, F.M. Crawford, +Alexander McKissick, W.H. Rose. + +[6] Charles P. Jones, brother of Calvin Jones, joined later. He now +lives in Birmingham, Alabama. + +[7] Examples in European history are the Carbonari of Italy, the +Tugenbund and the Vehmgericht of Germany, the Klephts of Greece, Young +Italy, the Nihilists of Russia, the Masonic order in most Catholic +countries during the first half of the Nineteenth Century, Beati Paoli +of Sicily, the Illuminati, etc. The "Confreries" of Medieval France +were similar illegal societies formed "pour defendre les innocentes et +reprimer les violences iniques."--Lavisse et Rambaud, Histoire +Generale, Vol. 2, p. 466. + +[8] See Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, p. 32. + +[9] Ku Klux Report, Vol. 13, Florida and Miscellaneous, p. 3. + +[10] See Ku Klux Report, Georgia Testimony, p. 304. + +[11] General Clanton, of Alabama, complained that the Southern people +had passed "out of the hands of warriors into the hands of squaws." +General Edmund W. Pettus, now U.S. Senator from Alabama, said that the +entire Reconstruction was in violation of the understanding made at +the surrender of the Confederate armies. The Confederate soldier +surrendered with arms in hand and in return a certain contract was +made in his parole according to which, as long as he was law-abiding, +he was not to be disturbed. This contract had been violated. The +government of the United States had made a promise to men with arms in +their hands and had violated this promise by passing the +Reconstruction measures, which amounted to punishment of individuals +for alleged crime without trial by law. See Ku Klux Report, Alabama +Testimony, pp. 224, 377, 383. + +[12] It is the copy he refers to that is reproduced in Appendix II. + +[13] _American Historical Magazine_, Vol. 5, p. 4. + + + + +KU KLUX KLAN + +ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DISBANDMENT + +BY + +J.C. LESTER AND D.L. WILSON + + + + +KU KLUX KLAN + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE ORIGIN. + + +There is no stranger chapter in American history than the one which +bears for a title "Ku Klux Klan." The organization which bore this +name went out of life as it came into it, shrouded in deepest mystery. +Its members would not disclose its secrets; others could not. Even the +investigation committee, appointed by Congress, were baffled. The +voluminous reports containing the results of that committee's tedious +and diligent inquiry do not tell when and where and how the Ku Klux +Klan originated. The veil of secrecy still hangs over its grave. We +propose to lift it. + +The time has now arrived when the history of the origin, growth and +final decay of "The Invisible Empire" may be given to the public. +Circumstances not necessary to detail have put it in the power of the +writer to compile such a history. For obvious reasons the names of +individuals are withheld. But the reader may feel assured that this +narrative is drawn from sources which are accurate and authentic. + +The writer does not profess to be able to disclose the secret signs, +grips and pass-words of the order.[14] These have never been disclosed +and probably never will be. But we claim to narrate facts relating to +the order, which have a historic and philosophic value. It is due to +the truth of history; to the student of human nature; to the +statesmen, and to the men who were engaged in this movement, that the +facts connected with this remarkable episode in our nation's history +be frankly and fairly told. + +A wave of excitement, spreading by contagions till the minds of a +whole people are in a ferment, is an event of frequent occurrent. The +Ku Klux movement was peculiar by reason of the causes which produced +and fed the excitement. It illustrates the weird and irresistible +power of the unknown and mysterious over the minds of men of all +classes and conditions in life. And it illustrates how men, by +circumstances and conditions, in part of their own creation, may be +carried away from their moorings and drifted along in a course against +which reason and judgment protest. + +The popular idea supposes the Ku Klux movement to have been conceived +in malice, and nursed by prejudice and hate, for lawlessness, rapine +and murder. The circumstances which brought the Klan into notice and +notoriety were of a character to favor such conclusions. No other +seemed possible. The report of the Congressional Investigating +Committee confirmed it.[15] Even if that report be true, like +everything else which is known of the Ku Klux, it is fragmentary +truth. The whole story has never been told. And the impression +prevails that the Ku Klux Klan was conceived and carried out in pure +and unmixed deviltry. The reader who follows this narrative to its end +will decide, with the facts before him, whether this impression is +just and true. + +The Ku Klux Klan was the outgrowth of peculiar conditions, social, +civil and political, which prevailed at the South from 1865 to 1869. +It was as much a product of those conditions as malaria is of a swamp +and sun heat. + +Its birthplace was Pulaski, the capital of Giles, one of the southern +tier of counties in Middle Tennessee. Pulaski is a town of about three +thousand inhabitants. Previous to the war its citizens possessed +wealth and culture--they retain the second--the first was lost in the +general wreck. The most intimate association with them fails to +disclose a trace of the diabolism which, according to the popular +idea, one would expect to find characterizing the people among whom +the Ku Klux Klan originated. A male college and a female seminary are +located at Pulaski, and receive liberal patronage. It is a town of +churches. + +There, in 1866, the name Ku Klux first fell from human lips. There +began a movement which in a short time spread as far north as +Virginia[16] and as far south as Texas, and which for a period +convulsed the country and attracted the attention of the civilized +world. Proclamations were fulminated against the Klan by the President +and by the Governors of States; and hostile statutes were enacted both +by State and National Legislatures. + +It was finally quieted, but not until there had become associated with +the name Ku Klux gross mistakes and lawless deeds of violence. To this +day there are localities where the utterance of it awakens awe and +fear. + +During the entire period of the Klan's organized existence, Pulaski +continued to be its central seat of authority. Some of its highest +officers resided there. This narrative, therefore, will relate +principally to the growth of the Klan and the measures taken to +suppress it in Tennessee. It is necessary to a clear understanding of +the movement to observe that the history of the Klan is marked by two +distinct and well defined periods. The first period covers the time +from its organization, in 1866, to the summer of 1867. The second from +the summer of 1867 to the date of its disbandment in the early part of +the year 1869.[17] + +The first period contains but little of general interest, but it is +necessary to describe it somewhat minutely, because of its bearing on +subsequent events. When the war ended, the young men of Pulaski, who +had escaped death on the battlefield, returned home and passed through +a period of enforced inactivity. In some respects it was more trying +than the ordeal of war which lay behind them. The reaction which +followed the excitement of army scenes and service was intense. There +was nothing to relieve it. They could not engage at once in business +or professional pursuits. In the case of many, business habits were +broken up. Few had capital to enter mercantile or agricultural +enterprises. There was a total lack of the amusements and social +diversions which prevail wherever society is in a normal condition. + + [Illustration: ROOM IN WHICH THE KLAN WAS FOUNDED + Law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, Pulaski, Tennessee. From + sketch by Miss Cora R. Jones + FACING PAGE 53] + +One evening in May, 1866,[18] a few of these young men met in the +office of one of the most prominent members of the Pulaski bar.[19] In +the course of the conversation one of the number said: "Boys, let us +get up a club or society of some description." The suggestion was +discussed with enthusiasm. Before they separated it was agreed to +invite others, whose names were mentioned, to join them, and to meet +again the next evening at the same place. At the appointed time eight +or[20] ten young men had assembled. + +A temporary organization was effected by the election of a chairman +and a secretary. There was entire unanimity among the members in +regard to the end in view, which was diversion and amusement. The +evening was spent in discussing the best means of attaining the object +for which they were seeking. Two committees were appointed, one to +select a name,[21] the other[22] to prepare a set of rules for the +government of the society, and a ritual for the initiation of new +members. The club adjourned to meet the following week to hear and act +upon the reports of these committees. Before the arrival of the +appointed time for the next meeting, one of the wealthiest and most +prominent citizens of Pulaski went on a business trip to Columbus, +Miss., taking his family with him. Before leaving he invited one of +the leading spirits of the new society to take charge of and sleep at +his house during his absence. This young man invited his comrades to +join him there. And so the place of meeting was changed from the law +office to this residence. The owner of it outlived the Ku Klux Klan +and died ignorant of the fact that his house was the place where its +organization was fully effected. + +This residence afterwards came into the possession of Judge H.M. +Spofford, of Spofford-Kellogg fame.[23] It was his home at the time +of his death, and is still owned by his widow. + +The committee appointed to select a name reported that they had found +the task difficult, and had not made a selection. They explained that +they had been trying to discover or invent a name which would be, to +some extent, suggestive of the character and objects of the society. +They mentioned several which they had been considering. In this number +was the name "Kukloi" from the Greek word _Kuklos_ (Kuklos), meaning a +band or circle. At mention of this some one cried out: "Call it Ku +Klux." "Klan" at once suggested itself, and was added to complete the +alliteration. So instead of adopting a name, as was the first +intention, which had a definite meaning, they chose one which to the +proposer of it, and to every one else, was absolutely meaningless. + +This trivial and apparently accidental incident had a most important +bearing on the future of the organization so singularly named. +Looking back over the history of the Klan, and at the causes under +which it developed, it is difficult to resist the conclusion that the +order would never have grown to the proportions which it afterwards +assumed, or wielded the power it did, had it not borne this name or +some other equally as meaningless and mysterious--mysterious because +meaningless. + +Had they called themselves the "Jolly Jokers" or the "Adelphi," or by +some similar appellation, the organization would doubtless have had no +more than the mere local and ephemeral existence which those who +organized it contemplated for it. Hundreds of societies have +originated just as this one did, and after a brief existence have +passed away. But in this case there was a weird potency in the very +name Ku Klux Klan. Let the reader pronounce it aloud. The sound of it +is suggestive of bones rattling together! The potency of the name was +not wholly in the impression made by it on the general public. It is a +singular fact that the members of the Klan were themselves the first +to feel its weird influence; they had adopted a mysterious name. +Thereupon the original plan was modified so as to make everything +connected with the order harmonize with the name. + +Amusement was still the end in view. But now the method by which they +propose to win it were those of secrecy and mystery. So when the +report of the committee on rules and ritual came up for consideration, +the recommendations were modified to adapt them to the new idea. The +report as finally adopted, provided for the following officers: a +Grand Cyclops, or President; a Grand Magi, or Vice-President; a Grand +Turk, or Marshal; a Grand Exchequer, or Treasurer; and two Lictors. +These were the outer and inner guards of the "Den," as the place of +meeting was designated. + +The one obligation exacted from members was to maintain profound and +absolute secrecy with reference to the order and everything pertaining +to it. This obligation prohibited those who assumed it from disclosing +that they were Ku Klux, or the name of any other member, and from +soliciting any one to become a member. The last requirement was a +singular one. It was enacted for two reasons. First, it was in keeping +with the determination to appear as mysterious as possible, and thus +play upon the curiosity of the public. Secondly, and mainly, it was +designed to prevent unpleasantness following initiations. They wished +to be able to say to novices: "You are here on your own solicitation, +and not by invitation from us." They desired accessions; to have them +was indispensable; but they knew human nature well enough to know that +if they made the impression that they wished to be exclusive and +select, then applications for membership would be numerous. The result +showed that they reasoned correctly. + +Each member was required to provide himself with the following outfit: +A white mask for the face, with orifices for the eyes and nose; a +tall, fantastic cardboard hat, so constructed as to increase the +wearer's apparent height; a gown, or robe, of sufficient length to +cover the entire person. No particular color or material were +prescribed. These were left to the individual's taste and fancy, and +each selected what in his judgment would be the most hideous and +fantastic, with the aim of inspiring the greatest amount of curiosity +in the novice. These robes, of different colors, often of the most +flashy patterns of "Dolly Varden" calicos, added vastly to the +grotesque appearance of the assembled Klan.[24] + + [Illustration: COSTUMES WORN IN MISSISSIPPI AND WEST ALABAMA + FACING PAGE 58] + +Each member carried also a small whistle, with which, by means of a +code of signals agreed upon, they held communications with one +another. The only utility of this device was to awaken inquiry.[25] + +And the object of all this was amusement--"only this, and nothing +more." A few young men debarred for the time by circumstances from +entering any active business or professional pursuits, and deprived of +the ordinary diversions of social life, were seeking in this way to +amuse and employ themselves. The organization of this Klan was to them +both diversion and occupation. But where, it may be asked, did the fun +come in? Partly in exciting the curiosity of the public, and then in +baffling it; but mainly in the initiation of new members. + +The ritual used in the initiation was elaborate, but not worthy of +reproduction. It is enough to say that it was modeled on and embraced +the leading features of the ritual of an order which has long been +popular in colleges and universities under various names.[26] In one +place it is the "Sons of Confucius;" in another, the "Guiasticutus;" +but everywhere, the "Ancient and the Honorable," and the +"Mirth-Provoking." + +The initiations were at first conducted in the law office, where the +suggestion for the formation of the Klan had been made. But it was not +a suitable place. The room was small. It was near the business portion +of the town, and while in session there, they never felt entirely free +from apprehensions of interruption.[27] + +They soon found a place in every respect better adapted to their +purposes. On the brow of a ridge, that runs along the western +outskirts of the town, there used to stand a handsome and commodious +residence. The front, or main building, was of brick, the "L" of wood. +In December, 1865, the brick portion of this house was demolished by a +cyclone. The "L" remained standing, but tenantless. It consisted of +three rooms. A stairway led from one of them to a large cellar +beneath. No other house stood near. Around these ruins were the +storm-torn, limbless trunks of trees, which had once formed a +magnificent grove. Now, they stood up, grim and gaunt, like spectre +sentinels. A dreary, desolate, uncanny place it was. But it was, in +every way, most suitable for a "den," and the Klan appropriated +it.[28] + +When a meeting was held, one Lictor was stationed near the house, the +other fifty yards from it on the road leading into town. These were +dressed in the fantastic regalia of the order and bore tremendous +spears as the badge of their office. + +As before stated, and for the reasons assigned, the Ku Klux did not +solicit any one to join them; yet, they had applications for +membership. While members were not allowed to disclose the fact of +their membership, they were permitted to talk with others in regard to +anything that was a matter of common report with reference to the +order. If they chose, members were allowed to say to outsiders: "I am +going to join the Ku Klux." If the persons addressed expressed a +desire to do likewise, the Ku Klux would say, if the party was a +desirable one: "Well, I think I know how to get in. Meet me at such a +place, on such a night, at such an hour, and we will join together." +Other similar subterfuges were resorted to, to secure members without +direct solicitation. Usually, curiosity would predominate over every +other consideration, and the candidate would be found waiting at the +appointed place. + +As the Ku Klux and the candidate approached the sentinel Lictor, they +were hailed and halted and questioned. Having received the assurance +that they desired to become Ku Klux, the Lictor blew the signal for +his companion to come and take charge of the novices. The candidate, +under the impression that his companion was similarly treated, was +blindfolded and led to the "den." The preliminaries of the initiation +consisted in leading the candidate around the rooms and down into the +cellar, now and then placing before him obstructions which added to +his discomfort, if not to his mystification. After some rough sport of +this description, he was led before the Grand Cyclops who solemnly +addressed to him numerous questions. Some of these questions were +grave, and occasionally a faulty answer resulted in the candidate's +rejection. For the most part they were absurd to the last degree. If +the answers were satisfactory, the obligation to secrecy, already +administered, was exacted a second time. Then the Grand Cyclops +commanded: + +"Place him before the royal altar and adorn his head with the regal +crown." + +The "royal altar" was a large looking glass. The "regal crown" was a +huge hat bedecked with two enormous donkey ears. In this headgear the +candidate was placed before the mirror and directed to repeat the +couplet: + + "O wad some power the giftie gie us + To see oursel's as ithers see us." + +As the last word was falling from his lips, the Grand Turk removed the +bandage from his eyes, and before the candidate was his own ludicrous +image in the mirror. To increase the discomfiture and chagrin which +any man in such a situation would naturally feel, the removal of the +bandage was the signal to the Klan for indulgence in the most +uproarious and boisterous mirth. The Grand Cyclops relaxed the rigor +of his rule, and the decorum hitherto maintained disappeared, and the +"den" rang with shouts and peals of laughter; and worse than all, as +he looked about him, he saw that he was surrounded by men dressed in +hideous garb and masked, so that he could not recognize one of them. + +The character of these initiatory proceedings explains why, from the +very first, secrecy was so much insisted on. A single "tale out of +school" would have spoiled the fun. For the same reason the Klan, in +its early history, was careful in regard to the character of the men +admitted. Rash and imprudent men--such as could not be confidently +relied upon to respect their obligation to secrecy--were excluded. Nor +were those admitted who were addicted to the use of intoxicants. Later +on in the history they were not so careful, but in the earlier period +of its existence the Klan was composed of men of good habits.[29] + +In some instances, persons not regarded as eligible to membership, or +not desirable, were persistent even to annoyance in their efforts to +gain admission to the order. Such persistence was occasionally rebuked +in a manner more emphatic than tender. + +One young man had a consuming desire to be a Ku Klux. The sole +objection, to him was his youth. When he presented himself to the +Lictor, the latter received him kindly, and led him blindfold, "over +the hill and far away" to a secluded spot, and left him with the +admonition to "wait there till called for." After hours of weary +waiting, the young man removed the bandage from his eyes and sought +the shelter of the paternal roof. + +Another of riper years, but for some reason not acceptable to the +order, made repeated efforts to join the Klan. For his special benefit +they arranged to have an initiation not provided for in the ritual. A +meeting was appointed to be held on the top of a hill that rises by a +gentle slope to a considerable height, on the northern limits of +Pulaski. The candidate, in the usual way--blindfold excepted--was led +into the presence of the Grand Cyclops. This dignitary was standing on +a stump. The tall hat, the flowing robe, and the elevated position +made him appear not less than ten feet tall. He addressed to the +candidate a few unimportant and absurd questions, and then, turning to +the Lictors, said: "Blindfold the candidate and proceed." + +The "procedure" in this case was to place the would-be Ku Klux in a +barrel, provided for the purpose, and to send him whirling down the +hill! To his credit, be it said, he never revealed any of the secrets +of the Ku Klux Klan.[30] + +These details have an important bearing on the subsequent history of +the Ku Klux. They show that the originators of the Klan were not +meditating treason or lawlessness in any form. Yet the Klan's later +history grew naturally out of the measures and methods which +characterized this period of it. Its projectors did not expect it to +spread. They thought it would "have its little day and die." It lived; +it grew to vast proportions. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[14] The writer, D.L. Wilson, was not a member. The secrets of the +Klan were not printed or written, but were communicated orally. In +Appendix IV, p. 197, will be found versions of the oath taken by the +members.--_Editor._ + +[15] In 1871-1872 a Committee of Congress made an investigation of +affairs in the South. Its report, with the testimony collected, was +published in 13 volumes, and is usually called the Ku Klux Report. See +Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, p. 701; Garner, +Reconstruction in Mississippi, p. 344.--_Editor._ + +[16] See above, p. 23. + +[17] General Forrest said that the order was disbanded in the fall of +1868. See Ku Klux Report, Vol. XIII., pp. 3-35.--_Editor._ + +[18] Wilson's account in the _Century Magazine_, July, 1884, says that +the order was founded in June, 1866.--_Editor._ + +[19] This was the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones, father of one +of the originators.--_Editor._ + +[20] Survivors say that six men organized the club and that others +joined soon after.--_Editor._ + +[21] This committee was composed of Calvin Jones and R.R. +Reed.--_Editor._ + +[22] In this committee were J.R. Crowe, J.C. Lester and John +Kennedy.--_Editor._ + +[23] Spofford was a brother of A.R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress. +He was a native of New Hampshire, who removed to Louisiana and held +high judicial office there before the Civil War. After 1870 he spent +much of his time in Pulaski. In 1877 he was elected to the United +States Senate from Louisiana, but the Senate seated W.P. Kellogg, a +carpetbagger from Illinois, who had been voted for by the "Packard +Legislature."--_Editor._ + +[24] "Their robes used in these nocturnal campaigns consisted simply +of sheets wrapped around their bodies and belted around the waist. The +lower portion reached to the heels, whilst the upper had eye-holes +through which to see and mouth-holes through which to breathe. Of +course, every man so caparisoned had one or more pistols in holsters +buckled to his waist."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[25] It is said that the members of the Pulaski Den wore small metal +badges.--_Editor._ + +[26] In the Southern colleges of today the peculiar Greek letter +fraternity known as Alpha Sigma Sigma, and the institution of "snipe +hunting" most nearly resemble the Klan in its early stages.--_Editor._ + +[27] After leaving the law office of Judge Jones the Klan met for a +while in a room of the _Pulaski Citizen_ building. The editor of the +_Citizen_ was a member of the Klan and his paper published the orders, +proclamations and warnings sent out by the officials.--_Miss Cora R. +Jones._ + +[28] This building was the property of Dr. Benjamin Carter, +grandfather of the present postmaster of Birmingham, Alabama.--_Miss +Cora R. Jones._ + +[29] "My information was that they admitted no man who was not a +gentleman and a man who could be relied upon to act discreetly; not +men who were in the habit of drinking, boisterous men, or men liable +to commit error or wrong."--General _Forrest in Ku Klux Report, Vol. +XIII, p. 22._ + +[30] Later, when Brownlow's Administration was endeavoring to crush +out the Ku Klux Klan, one of his detectives sought to gain admission +to the order. His purposes became known and the Nashville Den, which +he was trying to join, put him into a barrel and rolled it into the +Cumberland River, drowning the detective.--_Washington Post_, _August +13, 1905._ + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE SPREAD OF THE KLAN. + + +The devices for attracting attention were eminently successful. During +the months of July and August, 1866, the Klan was much talked about by +the citizens of Pulaski. Its mysteriousness was the sensation of the +hour. Every issue of the local paper contained some notice of the +strange order. These notices were copied into other papers, and in +this manner the way was prepared for the rapid growth and spread of +the Klan which soon followed. + +Six weeks or less from the date of the organization the sensation in +Pulaski had reached its height and was waning. Curiosity in regard to +it had abated to such a degree that the Klan would have certainly +fallen to pieces but for the following circumstances: + +By the time the eligible material in the town had been used up, the +young men from the country, whose curiosity had been inflamed by the +newspaper notices, began to come in and apply for admission to the +Klan. Some of these applications were accepted. In a little while the +members from the country asked permission to establish "dens" at +various points in the county. No provision had been made for such a +contingency, but the permission was granted; had it not been, the +result in all probability would have been the same. + +As the ritual followed by the Pulaski Klan could not be conveniently +carried out in the country, various modifications and changes were +permitted. But the strictest injunctions were laid on these new +lodges, or dens, in regard to secrecy, mystery and the character of +the men admitted. The growth in the rural districts was more rapid +than it had been in the town. Applications for permission to establish +"dens" multiplied rapidly. + +The news that the Ku Klux were spreading to the country excited the +attention of the country people more generally than the existence of +the Klan in town had done. The same cause rekindled the waning +interest of the town people. Every issue of the local papers in the +"infected regions" bristled with highly mysterious and exciting +accounts of the doings of the "fantastic gentry." + +During the fall and winter of 1866 the growth of the Klan was rapid. +It spread over a wide extent of territory. Sometimes, by a sudden +leap, it appeared in localities far distant from any existing "dens." + +A stranger from West Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, +visiting in a neighborhood where the order prevailed, would be +initiated, and on his departure carry with him permission to establish +a "den" at home. In fact, it was often done without such permission. +The connecting link between these "dens" was very fragile. By a sort +of tacit agreement the Pulaski Klan was regarded as the source of +power and authority. The Grand Cyclops of this "den" was virtually the +ruler of the order, but as he had no method of communicating with +subjects or subordinates, and no way in which to enforce his mandates, +his authority was more fancy than fact. But so far there had appeared +no need for compact organization, rigid rules and close supervision. +The leading spirits of the Ku Klux Klan were contemplating nothing +more serious than amusement. They enjoyed the baffled curiosity and +wild speculations of a mystified public even more than the rude sport +afforded by the ludicrous initiations. + +Such is the account of the Ku Klux Klan in the first period of its +history from June, 1866 to April, 1867;[31] yet all this time it was +gradually, in a very natural way, taking on new features not at first +remotely contemplated by the originators of the order; features which +finally transformed the Ku Klux Klan into a band of "Regulators." + +The transformation was effected by the combined operation of several +causes: (1) The impressions made by the order upon the minds of those +who united with it; (2) The impressions upon the public by its weird +and mysterious methods; (3) The anomalous and peculiar condition of +affairs in the South at this time. + +The mystery and secrecy with which the Klan veiled itself made a +singular impression on the minds of many who united with it. + +The prevalent idea was that the Klan contemplated some great and +important mission. This idea aided in its rapid growth. And on the +other hand the rapid extensions of the Klan confirmed this idea of its +purposes. When admitted to membership this conclusion, in the case of +many, was deepened rather than removed by what they saw and heard. +There was not a word in the ritual or in the obligation or in any part +of the ceremony to favor such a conclusion; but the impression still +remained that this mysteriousness and secrecy, the high-sounding +titles of the officers, the grotesque dress of the members, and the +formidable obligation, all meant more than real sport. This impression +was ineradicable, and the attitude of many of the members continued to +be that of expecting great developments. Each had his own speculations +as to what was to be the character of the serious work which the Klan +had to do. But they were satisfied that there was such work. It was an +unhealthy and dangerous state of mind for men to be in; bad results in +some cases very naturally followed from it. + +The impression made by the Klan on the public was the second cause +which contributed to its transformation into a band of Regulators. +When the meetings first began to be held in the dilapidated house on +the hill, passers-by were frequent. Most of them passed the grim and +ghostly sentinel on the roadside in silence, but always with a +quickened step. Occasionally one would stop and ask: "Who are you?" In +awfully sepulchral tones the invariable answer was: "A spirit from the +other world. I was killed at Chickamauga." + +Such an answer, especially when given to a superstitious negro, was +extremely terrifying, and if, in addition, he heard the uproarous +noises issuing from the "den" at the moment of a candidate's +investiture with the "regal crown," he had the foundation for a most +awe-inspiring story. There came from the country similar stories. The +belated laborer, passing after nightfall, some lonely and secluded +spot, heard horrible noises and saw fearful sights. These stories were +repeated with such embellishments as the imagination of the narrator +suggested, till the feeling of the negroes and of many of the white +people, at mention of the Ku Klux, was one of awe and terror. + +In a short time the Lictor of the Pulaski "den" reported that travel +along the road on which he had his post had almost entirely stopped. +In the country it was noticed that the nocturnal perambulation of the +colored population diminished, or entirely ceased, wherever the Ku +Klux appeared. In many ways there was a noticeable improvement in the +habits of a large class who had hitherto been causing great annoyance. +In this way the Klan gradually realized that the most powerful devices +ever constructed for controlling the ignorant and superstitious were +in their hands. Even the most highly cultured were not able wholly to +resist the weird and peculiar feeling which pervaded every community +where the Ku Klux appeared. Each week some new incident occurred to +illustrate the amazing power of the unknown over the minds of men of +all classes. + +Circumstances made it evident that the measures and methods employed +for sport might be effectually used to subserve the public welfare--to +suppress lawlessness and protect property. When propositions to this +effect began to be urged, there were many who hesitated, fearing +danger. The majority regarded such fears as groundless. They pointed +to the good results which had already been produced. The argument was +forcible--almost unanswerable. And the question was decided without +formal action. The very force of circumstances had carried the Klan +away from its original purpose. So that in the beginning of the summer +of 1867 it was virtually, though not yet professedly, a band of +regulators, honestly, but in an injudicious and dangerous way, trying +to protect property and preserve peace and order.[32] + +After all, the most powerful agency in effecting this transformation, +the agency which supplied the conditions under which the two causes +just mentioned became operative, was the peculiar state of affairs +existing at the South at that time. + +As every one knows, the condition of things was wholly anomalous, but +no one can fully appreciate the circumstances by which the people of +the South were surrounded except by personal observation and +experience; and no one who is not fully acquainted with all the facts +in the case is competent to pronounce a just judgment on their +behavior. On this account, not only the Ku Klux, but the mass of the +Southern people, have been tried, convicted and condemned at the bar +of public opinion, and have been denied the equity of having the +sentence modified by mitigating circumstances, which in justice, they +have a right to plead. + +At that time the throes of the great revolution were settling down to +quiet. The almost universal disposition of the better class of the +people was to accept the arbitrament which the sword had accorded +them. On this point there was practical unanimity. Those who had +opportunity and facilities to do so, engaged at once in agricultural, +professional or business pursuits. There was but little disposition to +take part in politics. + +But there were two causes of vexation and exasperation which the +people were in no good mood to bear. One of these causes related to +that class of men who, like scum, had been thrown to the surface in +the great upheaval.[33] + +It was not simply that they were Union men from conviction. That would +have been readily forgiven then, as can be shown by pointing to +hundreds of cases. But the majority of the class referred to had +played traitor to both sides, and were Union men now only because that +was the successful side. And worse than all, they were now engaged in +keeping alive discord and strife between the sections, as the only +means of preventing themselves from sinking back into the obscurity +from which they had been upheaved. Their conduct was malicious in the +extreme and exceedingly exasperating. These men were a "thorn in the +flesh" of the body, politic and social; and the effort to expel it set +up an inflammation which for a time awakened the gravest apprehensions +as to the result. + +The second disturbing element was the negroes. Their transition from +slavery to citizenship was sudden. They were not only not fitted for +the cares of self-control, and maintenance so suddenly thrust upon +them, but many of them entered their new role in life under the +delusion that freedom meant license. They regarded themselves as +freedmen, not only from bondage to former masters, but from the common +and ordinary obligations of citizenship. Many of them looked upon +obedience to the laws of the state--which had been framed by their +former owners--as in some measure a compromise of the rights with +which they had been invested. The administration of civil law was only +partially re-established. On that account, and for other reasons, +there was an amount of disorder and violence prevailing over the +country which has never been equaled at any period of its history. If +the officers of the law had had the disposition and ability to arrest +all law-breakers, a jail and court-house in every civil district would +have been required. + +The depredations on property by theft and by wanton destruction for +the gratification of petty revenge, were to the last degree annoying. +A large part of these depredations was the work of bad white men, who +expected that their lawless deeds would be credited to the negroes. +But perhaps the most potent of all causes which brought about this +transformation was the existence in the South of a spurious and +perverted form of the "Union League."[34] + +It would be as unfair to this organization as it existed at the North, +to charge it with the outrages committed under cover of its name, as +it is to hold the Ku Klux Klan responsible for all the lawlessness and +violence with which it is credited. + +But it is a part of the history of those times that there was a +widespread and desperately active organization called the "Union +League." It was composed of the disorderly element of the negro +population and was led and controlled by white men of the basest and +meanest type just now referred to. They met frequently, went armed to +the teeth, and literally "breathed out threatening and slaughter." +They not only uttered, but in many instances executed the most +violent threats against the persons, families and property of men, +whose sole crime was that they had been in the Confederate army. It +cannot be truthfully denied that the Ku Klux committed excesses and +were charged with wrongdoing. But they were never guilty of the +disorderly and unprovoked deeds of deviltry which mark the history of +the Southern "Union League." It was partly, I may say chiefly, to +resist this aggressive and belligerent organization that the Ku Klux +transformed themselves into a protective organization.[35] + +Whatever may be the judgment of history, those who know the facts will +ever remain firm in the conviction that the Ku Klux Klan was of +immense service at this period of Southern history. Without it, in +many sections of the South, life to decent people would not have been +tolerable. It served a good purpose. Wherever the Ku Klux appeared +the effect was salutary. For a while the robberies ceased. The +lawless class assumed the habits of good behavior. + +The "Union League" relaxed its desperate severity and became more +moderate. Under their fear of the dreaded Ku Klux, the negroes made +more progress, in a few months, in the needed lessons of self-control, +industry, and respect for the rights of property and general good +behavior, than they would have done in as many years, but for this or +some equally powerful impulse. + +It was a rough and a dangerous way to teach such lessons, but under +all the circumstances it seemed the only possible way. + +Of course, these men were trying a dangerous experiment. Many of them +knew it at the time, and did not expect it on the whole to turn out +more successfully than others of a similar character. But there seemed +to be no other alternative at the time. Events soon occurred which +showed that the fears of those who apprehended danger were not +groundless, and it became evident, unless the Klan should be brought +under better control than its leaders at this time exercised over it, +that while it suppressed some evils, it would give rise to others +almost, if not fully, as great.[36] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[31] It will be remembered that in March, 1867, the Reconstruction +Acts were passed and that in April, 1867, the Reconstruction was +beginning.--_Editor._ + +[32] "It originated with returned soldiers for the purpose of +punishing those negroes who had become notoriously and offensively +insolent to white people, and, in some cases, to chastise those white +skinned men who, at that particular time, showed a disposition to +affiliate socially with negroes. The impression sought to be made upon +these latter was that these white-robed night prowlers were the ghosts +of the Confederate dead, who had arisen from their graves in order to +wreak vengeance on an undesirable class of both white and black +men."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[33] The class called "tories" during the Civil War. They should not +be confused with the genuine Unionists.--_Editor._ + +[34] Sometimes called "Loyal League." See in regard to this secret +society--Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, Ch. 16, and +(West Virginia University) Documents relating to Reconstruction, No. +3.--_Editor._ + +[35] On this point the testimony of Generals Forrest, John B. Gordon +and E.W. Pettus, and J.A. Minnis, in the Ku Klux Report, is +instructive.--_Editor._ + +[36] Pease, "In the Wake of War," (fiction) gives a very good +description of affairs in Tennessee by one who was thoroughly familiar +with conditions there. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE TRANSFORMATION. + + +Until the beginning of the year 1867, the movements of the Klan had, +in the main, been characterized by prudence and discretion; but there +were some exceptions. In some cases there had been a liberal +construction of orders and of what was by common consent the law of +the Klan. In some, the limits, which tacitly it had been agreed upon +not to pass, had been overstepped. + +Attempts had been made to correct by positive means evils which +menaces had not been sufficient to remove. Rash, imprudent and bad men +had gotten into the order. The danger which the more prudent and +thoughtful had apprehended as possible was now a reality. Had it been +possible to do so, some of the leaders would have been in favor of +disbanding. That could not well be done, because at that time the +organization was so loose and imperfect. So to speak, the tie that +bound them together was too shadowy to be cut or untied. They had +evoked a spirit from "the vasty deep." It would not down at their +bidding. + +And, besides, the Klan was needed. The only course which seemed to +promise any satisfactory solution of the difficulty was this: To +reorganize the Klan on a plan corresponding to its size and present +purposes; to bind the isolated dens together; to secure unity of +purpose and concert of action; to hedge the members up by such +limitations and regulations as were best adapted to restrain them +within proper limits; to distribute the authority among prudent men at +local centres, and exact from them a close supervision of those under +their charge. + +In this way it was hoped the impending dangers would be effectually +guarded against. With these objects in view the Grand Cyclops of the +Pulaski Den sent out a request to all the dens of which he had +knowledge, to appoint delegates to meet in convention at Nashville, +Tenn., in the early summer of 1867.[37] At the time appointed this +convention was held. Delegates were present from Tennessee, Alabama, +and a number of other States. A plan of reorganization, previously +prepared, was submitted to this convention and adopted. After the +transaction of some further business, the convention adjourned, and +the delegates returned home without having attracted any attention. + +At this convention the territory covered by the Klan was designated as +the "Invisible Empire." This was subdivided into "realms" coterminous +with the boundaries of States. The "realms" were divided into +"dominions," corresponding to Congressional districts; the "dominions" +into "provinces" coterminous with counties; and the "provinces" into +"dens." + +To each of these departments officers were assigned. + +Except in the case of the supreme officer, the duties of each were +minutely specified. + +These officers were: + +The Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire and his ten Genii. The powers +of this officer were almost autocratic. + +The Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hydras. + +The Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies. + +The Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two Night Hawks. + +A Grand Monk. + +A Grand Scribe. + +A Grand Exchequer. + +A Grand Turk. + +A Grand Sentinel. + +The Genii, Hydras, Furies, Goblins and Night Hawks were staff +officers. The gradation and distribution of authority was perfect. But +for one source of weakness, the Klan, under this new organization, was +one of the most perfectly organized orders that ever existed in the +world. + +As we shall see presently, it was vulnerable and failed because of the +character of its methods. Secrecy was at first its strength. It +afterwards became its greatest weakness. As long as mystery was +conjoined with it, it was strength. When masks and disguises ceased to +be mysterious, secrecy was weakness. + +One of the most important things done by this Nashville convention was +to make a positive and emphatic declaration of the principles of the +order. It was in the following terms: + +"We recognize our relations to the United States Government; the +supremacy of the Constitution; the constitutional laws thereof; and +the union of States thereunder." + +If these men were plotting treason, it puzzles us to know why they +should make such a statement as that in setting forth the principles +of the order. The statement above quoted was not intended for general +circulation and popular effect. So far as is known, it is now given to +the public for the first time. We must regard it, therefore, as +accurately describing the political attitude which the Ku Klux +proposed and desired to maintain. Every man who became a member of the +Klan really took an oath to support the Constitution of the United +States. + +This Nashville convention also defined and set forth the peculiar +objects of the order, as follows:[38] + +(1.) "To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from the +indignities, wrongs and outrages of the lawless, the violent and the +brutal; to relieve the injured and the oppressed; to succor the +suffering, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate +soldiers. + +(2.) "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and +all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States and +people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. + +(3.) "To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land." + +This last clause was the result of the infamous and barbarous +legislation of that day. On the 3rd of June, 1865, the Thirty-fourth +General Assembly of Tennessee revived the sedition law and restricted +the right of suffrage.[39] A negro militia, ignorant and brutal, were +afterwards put over the State, and spread terror throughout its +borders. Men felt that they had no security for life, liberty, or +property. They were persecuted if they dared to complain. It was no +strange thing if they resorted to desperate measures for protection. +The emergency was desperate. Taking all the circumstances and +aggravations into consideration one cannot but be surprised that men +so persecuted and oppressed remained so moderate and forbearing. + +The legislation of the Nashville Convention of Ku Klux bears internal +evidence of what we know from other sources to be true. Whilst +devising measures for protection to life and property, and for the +resistance of lawlessness and oppression, whether from irresponsible +parties or from those who professed to be acting legally and under +cover of authority, they were anxious also to control the Klan itself +and to keep it within what they conceived to be safe limits. + +Up to this time the majority had shown a fair appreciation of the +responsibilities of their self-imposed task of preserving social +order. But under any circumstances the natural tendency of an +organization such as this is to violence and crime--much more under +such circumstances as those then prevailing. + +Excesses had been committed. Whether justly so or not, they were +credited to the Klan. And it was foreseen and feared that if such +things continued or increased the hostility of State and Federal +Governments would be kindled against the Klan and active measures +taken to suppress it. The hope was entertained that the legislations +taken by the convention and the reorganization would not only enable +the Klan to enact its _role_ as Regulators with greater success, but +would keep its members within the prescribed limits, and so guard +against the contingencies referred to. They desired on the one hand, +to restrain and control their own members; on the other to correct +evils and promote order in society; and to do the latter _solely_ by +utilizing for this purpose the means and methods originally employed +for amusement. In each direction the success was but partial, as will +be told presently. + +By the reorganization no material change was made in the methods of +the Klan's operations. Some of the old methods were slightly modified; +a few new features were added. The essential features of mystery, +secrecy and grotesqueness were retained, and steps were taken with a +view to deepening and intensifying the impressions already made upon +the public mind. They attempted to push to the extreme limits of +illustration the power of the mysterious over the minds of men. + +Henceforth they courted publicity as assiduously as they had formerly +seemed to shun it. They appeared at different points at the same time, +and always when and where they were the least expected. Devices were +multiplied to deceive people in regard to their numbers and everything +else, and to play upon the fears of the superstitious. + +As it was now the policy of the Klan to appear in public, an order was +issued by the Grand Dragon of the Realm of Tennessee to the Grand +Giants of the Provinces for a general parade in the capital town of +each Province on the night of the 4th of July, 1867. It will be +sufficient for this narrative to describe that parade as witnessed by +the citizens of Pulaski. Similar scenes were enacted at many other +places. + +On the morning of the 4th of July, 1867, the citizens of Pulaski found +the sidewalks thickly strewn with slips of paper bearing the printed +words:[40] "The Ku Klux will parade the streets to-night." This +announcement created great excitement. The people supposed that their +curiosity, so long baffled, would now be gratified. They were +confident that this parade would at least afford them the opportunity +to find out who were the Ku Klux. + +Soon after nightfall the streets were lined with an expectant and +excited throng of people. Many came from the surrounding country. The +members of the Klan in the county left their homes in the afternoon +and traveled alone or in squads of two or three, with their +paraphernalia carefully concealed. If questioned, they answered that +they were going to Pulaski to see the Ku Klux parade. After nightfall +they assembled at designated points near the four main roads leading +into town. Here they donned their robes and disguises and put covers +of gaudy materials on their horses. A skyrocket sent up from some +point in the town was the signal to mount and move. The different +companies met and passed each other on the public square in perfect +silence; the discipline appeared to be admirable.[41] Not a word was +spoken. Necessary orders were given by means of the whistles. In +single file, in death-like stillness, with funeral slowness, they +marched and counter-marched throughout the town. While the column was +headed North on one street it was going South on another. By crossing +over in opposite directions the lines were kept up in almost unbroken +continuity. The effect was to create the impression of vast numbers. +This marching and counter-marching was kept up for about two hours, +and the Klan departed as noiselessly as they came. The public were +more than ever mystified. Curiosity had not been satisfied, as it was +expected it would be. The efforts of the most curious and cunning to +find out who were Ku Klux failed. One gentleman from the country, a +great lover of horses, who claimed to know every horse in the county, +was confident that he would be able to identify the riders by the +horses. With this purpose in view, he remained in town to witness the +parade. But, as we have said, the horses were disguised as well as the +riders. Determined not to be baffled, during a halt of the column he +lifted the cover of a horse that was near him--the rider offering no +objection--and recognized his own steed and saddle upon which he had +ridden into town. The town people were on the alert also to see who of +the young men of the town would be with the Ku Klux. All of them, +almost without exception, were marked, mingling freely and +conspicuously with the spectators. Those of them who were members of +the Klan did not go into the parade. + +This demonstration had the effect for which it was designed. Perhaps +the greatest illusion produced by it was in regard to the numbers +participating in it. Reputable citizens--men of cool and accurate +judgment--were confident that the number was not less than three +thousand. Others, whose imaginations were more easily wrought upon, +were quite certain there were ten thousand. The truth is, that the +number of Ku Klux in the parade did not exceed four hundred. This +delusion in regard to numbers prevailed wherever the Ku Klux appeared. +It illustrates how little the testimony of even an eye-witness is +worth in regard to anything which makes a deep impression on him by +reason of its mysteriousness. + +The Klan had a large membership; it exerted a vast, terrifying and +wholesome power; but its influence was never at any time dependent on, +or proportioned to, its membership. It was in the mystery in which the +comparatively few enshrouded themselves. Gen. Forrest, before the +Investigating Committee, placed the number of Ku Klux in Tennessee at +40,000,[42] and in the entire South at 550,000. This was with him only +a guessing estimate.[43] Careful investigation leads to the +conclusion that he overshoots the mark in both cases. It is an error +to suppose that the entire male population of the South were Ku Klux, +or that even a majority of them were privy to its secrets and in +sympathy with its extremest measures. To many of them, perhaps to a +majority, the Ku Klux Klan was as vague, impersonal and mysterious as +to the people of the North, or of England. They did attribute to it +great good and to this day remember with gratitude the protection it +afforded them in the most trying and perilous period of their history, +when there was no other earthly source to which to appeal.[44] + + [Illustration: COSTUMES WORN IN TENNESSEE AND NORTH ALABAMA + FACING PAGE 97] + +One or two illustrations may here be given of the methods resorted to +to play upon the superstitious fears of the negroes and others.[45] At +the parade in Pulaski, while the procession was passing a corner on +which a negro man was standing, a tall horseman in hideous garb turned +aside from the line, dismounted, and stretched out his bridle rein +toward the negro, as if he desired him to hold his horse. Not daring +to refuse, the frightened African extended his hand to grasp the rein. +As he did so, the Ku Klux took his own head from his shoulders and +offered to place that also in the outstretched hand. The negro stood +not upon the order of his going, but departed with a yell of terror. +To this day he will tell you: "He done it, suah, boss. I seed him do +it." The gown was fastened by a draw-string over the top of the +wearer's head. Over this was worn an artificial skull made of a large +gourd or of pasteboard. This with the hat could be readily removed, +and the man would then appear to be headless. Such tricks gave rise +to the belief--still prevalent among the negroes--that the Ku Klux +could take themselves all to pieces whenever they wanted to. + +Some of the Ku Klux carried skeleton hands. These were made of bone or +wood with a handle long enough to be held in the hand, which was +concealed by the gown sleeve. The possessor of one of these was +invariably of a friendly turn and offered to shake hands with all he +met, with what effect may be readily imagined. + +A trick of frequent perpetration in the country was for a horseman, +spectral and ghostly looking, to stop before the cabin of some negro +needing a wholesome impression and call for a bucket of water. If a +dipper or gourd was brought it was declined, and the bucket full of +water demanded. As if consumed by raging thirst the horseman grasped +it and pressed it to his lips. He held it there till every drop of the +water was poured into a gum or oiled sack concealed beneath the Ku +Klux robe. Then the empty bucket was returned to the amazed negro with +the remark: "That's good. It is the first drink of water I have had +since I was killed at Shiloh." Then a few words of counsel as to +future behavior made an impression not easily forgotten or likely to +be disregarded. + +Under ordinary circumstances such devices are unjustifiable. But in +the peculiar state of things then existing they served a good purpose. +It was not only better to deter the negroes from theft and other +lawlessness in this way than to put them in the penitentiary; but it +was the only way, at this time, by which they could be controlled. The +jails would not contain them. The courts could not or would not try +them. The policy of the Klan all the while was to deter men from +wrongdoing. It was only in rare, exceptional cases, and these the most +aggravated, that it undertook to punish.[46] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[37] "In the spring of 1867," says Wilson in the _Century Magazine_, +July, 1884. May was the month of meeting. This was just after the +Reconstruction Acts had been passed.--_Editor._ + +[38] I am convinced that the authors are mistaken in saying that the +first convention adopted the Prescript containing these declarations. +The Prescript adopted was the one reproduced in Appendix I. The other +one, reproduced in Appendix II, was adopted, it is believed, in +1868.--_Editor._ + +[39] Ex-Confederates were practically all excluded from the +suffrage.--_Editor._ + +[40] Notices were posted in every public place, and even pasted on the +backs of hogs and cows running loose in the streets.--_Miss Cora R. +Jones._ + +[41] Most members of the Klan had been Confederate soldiers and were +familiar with military drill and discipline.--_Editor._ + +[42] A later estimate places the membership of Ku Klux Klan at 72,000 +in Tennessee alone.--_Washington Post, August 13, 1905._ + +[43] Forrest denied that he had made such an estimate. There were many +other orders similar to Ku Klux Klan and the total membership was +probably about half a million.--_Editor._ + +[44] It made the women feel safer. "And then came the reign of martial +law, and the Freedmen's Bureau. Those dark days of the Reconstruction +period rapidly followed the horrors of civil war, and the reign of the +carpetbagger began, goading the people to desperation. For their +protection the younger and more reckless men of the community now +formed a secret society, which masqueraded at night in grotesque and +grewsome character called the Ku Klux Klan. Always silent and +mysterious, mounted on horses, they swept noiselessly by in the +darkness with gleaming death's heads, skeletons and chains. It struck +terror into the heart of the evil-doer, while the peaceful citizen +knew a faithful patrol had guarded his premises while he +slept."--_Mrs. Stubbs, in "Saunders' Early Settlers of Alabama_," p. +31. + +[45] A practice not mentioned here was that of sending out the +peculiar warnings and orders, specimens of which are printed in +Appendix IV.--_Editor._ + +[46] "We had regular meetings about once a week, at which the conduct +of certain offensive characters would be discussed, and if the +majority voted to punish such it would be accordingly done on certain +prescribed nights. Sometimes it was deemed necessary only to post +notices of warning, which, in some cases, were sufficient to alarm the +victims sufficiently to induce them to reform in their +behavior."--_Ryland Randolph._ + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE DECLINE. + + +For a while after the reorganization of the Klan, those concerned for +its welfare and right conduct congratulated themselves that all was +now well. Closer organization and stricter official supervision had a +restraining influence upon the members. Many things seemed to indicate +that the future work of the Klan would be wholly good. + +These hopes were rudely shattered. Ere long official supervision grew +less rigid or was less regarded. The membership was steadily +increasing. Among the new material added were some bad men who could +not be--at least were not--controlled. + +In the winter and spring of 1867 and 1868 many things were done by +members, or professed members, of the Klan, which were the subject of +universal regret and condemnation. In many ways the grave censure of +those who had hitherto been friendly to it was evoked against the +Klan, and occasion, long sought for, was given its enemies to petition +the intervention of the government to suppress it. The end came +rapidly. We must now trace the causes which wrought the decay and +downfall of the "Invisible Empire." + +In regard to the doings of the Ku Klux two extreme positions have been +advocated. On the one hand, it is asserted that the Ku Klux committed +no outrages. On the other, that they were the authors of all the +depredations committed by masked and disguised men in the Southern +States from 1865 to 1869. The truth lies between these two extremes. +Great outrages were committed by bands of disguised men during those +years of lawlessness and oppression. And the fact must be admitted +that some of these outrages were committed, if not by the order and +approbation of the Klan, at least by men who were members of it.[47] + +The thoughtful reader will readily understand how this came about. + +There was a cause which naturally and almost necessarily produced the +result. Men of the character of the majority of those who composed +the Klan do not disregard their own professed principles and violate +self-assumed obligations without cause. We have seen that the Klan was +in the main composed of the very best men in the country--peaceable, +law-loving and law-abiding men--men of good habits and character--men +of property and intelligence. + +We have seen that the organization had no political significance; they +expressly and in solemn secret compact declared their allegiance to +the constitution and all constitutional laws, and pledged themselves +to aid in the administration of all such laws. To see such men defying +law and creating disorder, is a sight singular enough to awake inquiry +as to the causes which had been at work upon them. The transformation +of the Ku Klux Klan, from a band of regulators, honestly trying to +preserve peace and order, into the body of desperate men who, in 1869, +convulsed the country and set at defiance the mandates of both State +and Federal governments, is greater than the transformation which we +have already traced. + +In both cases there were causes at work adequate to the results +produced; causes from which, as remarked before, the results followed +naturally and necessarily. + +These have never been fully and fairly stated. They may be classed +under three general heads: (1). Unjust charges. (2). Misapprehension +of the nature and objects of the order on the part of those not +members of it. (3). Unwise and over-severe legislation. + +As has already been pointed out, the order contained within itself, by +reason of the methods practiced, sources of weakness. The devices and +disguises by which the Klan deceived outsiders enabled all who were so +disposed, even its own members, to practice deception on the Klan +itself. It placed in the hands of its own members the facility to do +deeds of violence for the gratification of personal feeling, and have +them credited to the Klan. To evilly-disposed men membership in the +Klan was an inducement to wrongdoing. It presented to all men a +dangerous temptation, which, in certain contingencies at any time +likely to arise, it required a considerable amount of moral robustness +to resist. Many did not withstand it. And deeds of violence were done +by men who were Ku Klux, but who, while acting under cover of their +connection with the Klan, were not under its orders. But because these +men were Ku Klux, the Klan had to bear the odium of wrongdoing.[48] + +In addition to this, the very class which the Klan proposed to hold in +check and awe into good behavior, soon became wholly unmanageable. +Those who had formerly committed depredations to be laid to the charge +of the negroes, after a brief interval of good behavior, assumed the +guise of Ku Klux and returned to their old ways, but with less +boldness and more caution, showing the salutary impression which the +Klan had made upon them. In some cases the negroes played Ku Klux. +Outrages were committed by masked men in regions far remote from any +Ku Klux organizations. The parties engaged took pains to assert that +they were Ku Klux, _which the members of the Klan never did_. This was +evidence that these parties were simply aping Ku Klux disguises. The +proof on this point is ample and clear. After the passage of the Anti +Ku Klux Statute by the State of Tennessee, several instances occurred +of parties being arrested in Ku Klux disguises; but in every instance +they proved to be either negroes or "radical" Brownlow Republicans. +This occurred so often that the statute was allowed by the party in +power to become a dead letter before its repeal. It bore too hard on +"loyal" men when enforced. + +The same thing occurred in Georgia and other States. (See testimony of +General Gordon and others before the Investigating Committee.) + +_No single instance occurred of the arrest of a masked man who proved +to be--when stripped of his disguises--a Ku Klux._ + +But it came to pass that all the disorder done in the country was +charged upon the Ku Klux, because done under disguises which they had +invented and used. The Klan had no way in which to disprove or refute +the charges. They felt that it was hard to be charged with violence of +which they were innocent. At the same time they felt that it was +natural, and, under the circumstances, not wholly unjust that this +should be the case. They had assumed the office of Regulators. It was +therefore due society, due themselves, and due the Government, which, +so far, had not molested them, that they should, at least, not afford +the lawless classes facilities for the commission of excesses greater +than any they had hitherto indulged in, and above all, that they +should restrain their own members from lawlessness. + +The Klan felt all this; and in its efforts to relieve itself of the +stigma thus incurred, it acted in some cases against the offending +parties with a severity well merited, no doubt, but unjustifiable.[49] +As is frequently the case they were carried beyond the limits of +prudence and right by a hot zeal for self-vindication against unjust +aspersions. + +They felt that the charge of wrong was unfairly brought against them. +To clear themselves of the charge they did worse wrong than that +alleged against them. + +The Klan from the first shrouded itself in deepest mystery; out of +this fact grew trouble not at first apprehended. They wished people +not to understand. They tried to keep them profoundly ignorant. The +result was that the Klan and its objects were wholly misunderstood and +misinterpreted. Many who joined the Klan and many who did not, were +certain it contemplated something far more important than its overt +acts gave evidence of. Some were sure it meant treason and revolution. +The negroes and the whites whose consciences made them the subjects of +guilty fears, were sure it boded no good to them. + +When the first impressions of awe and terror which the Klan had +inspired, to some extent, wore off, a feeling of intense hostility +towards the Ku Klux followed. This feeling was the more bitter because +founded, not on overt acts which the Ku Klux had done, but on vague +fears and surmises as to what they intended to do. Those who +entertained such fears were in some cases impelled by them to become +the aggressors. They attacked the Ku Klux before receiving from them +any provocation. The negroes formed organizations of a military +character and drilled by night, and even appeared in the day armed and +threatening. The avowed purpose of these organizations was "to make +war upon and exterminate the Ku Klux." On several occasions the Klan +was fired into. The effect of such attacks was to provoke counter +hostility from the Klan, and so there was irritation and +counter-irritation, till, in some places, the state of things was +little short of open warfare. In some respects it was worse; the +parties wholly misunderstood each other. Each party felt that its +cause was the just one. Each justified its deed by the provocation. + +The Ku Klux, intending wrong, as they believed, to no one, were +aggrieved that acts which they had not done should be charged to them; +and motives which they did not entertain imputed to them and outraged +that they should be molested and assaulted. The other party satisfied +that they were acting in self-defense felt fully justified in +assaulting them, and so each goaded the other on from one degree of +exasperation to another. + +The following extracts from a general order of the Grand Dragon of the +Realm of Tennessee will illustrate the operation of both these causes. +It was issued in the fall of the year 1868. It shows what were the +principles and objects which the Klan still professed, and it also +shows how it was being forced away from them: + + + HEADQUARTERS REALM NO. 1,} + DREADFUL ERA, BLACK EPOCH,} + + DREADFUL HOUR.} + + _General Order No. 1._ + + WHEREAS, Information of an authentic character has reached these + headquarters that the blacks in the counties of Marshall, Maury, + Giles and Lawrence are organized into military companies, with + the avowed purpose to make war upon and exterminate the Ku Klux + Klan, said blacks are hereby solemnly warned and ordered to + desist from further action in such organizations, if they exist. + + The G. D. [Grand Dragon] regrets the necessity of such an order. + But this Klan shall not be outraged and interfered with by + lawless negroes and meaner white men, who do not and never have + understood our purposes. + + In the first place this Klan is not an institution of violence, + lawlessness and cruelty; it is not lawless; it is not + aggressive; it is not military; it is not revolutionary. + + It is, essentially, originally and inherently a protective + organization. It proposes to execute law instead of resisting + it; and to protect all good men, whether white or black, from + the outrages and atrocities of bad men of both colors, who have + been for the past three years a terror to society, and an injury + to us all. + + The blacks seem to be impressed with the belief that this Klan + is especially their enemy. We are not the enemy of the blacks, + as long as they behave themselves, make no threats upon us, and + do not attack or interfere with us. + + But if they make war upon us they must abide the awful + retribution that will follow. + + This Klan, while in its peaceful movements, and disturbing no + one, has been fired into three times. This will not be endured + any longer; and if it occurs again, and the parties be + discovered, a remorseless vengeance will be wreaked upon them. + + We reiterate that we are for peace and law and order. No man, + white or black, shall be molested for his political sentiments. + This Klan is not a political party; it is not a military party; + it is a protective organization, and will never use violence + except in resisting violence. + + Outrages have been perpetrated by irresponsible parties in the + name of this Klan. Should such parties be apprehended, they will + be dealt with in a manner to insure us future exemption from + such imposition. These impostors have, in some instances, + whipped negroes. This is wrong! wrong! It is denounced by this + Klan as it must be by all good and humane men. + + The Klan now, as in the past, is prohibited from doing such + things. We are striving to protect all good, peaceful, + well-disposed and law-abiding men, whether white or black. + + The G. D. deems this order due to the public, due to the Klan, + and due to those who are misguided and misinformed. We, + therefore, request that all newspapers who are friendly to law, + and peace, and the public welfare, will publish the same. + + By order of the G. D., Realm No. 1. + By the Grand Scribe. + +This order doubtless expresses the principles which the Klan, as a +body, was honestly trying to maintain. It also illustrates how they +were driven to violate them by the very earnestness and vehemence +with which they attempted to maintain them. + +The question naturally arises, Why, under the embarrassing +circumstances, did not the Klan disband and close its operations?[50] +The answer is, that the members felt that there was now more reasons +than ever for the Klan's existence. They felt that they ought not to +abandon their important and needful work because they encountered +unforeseen difficulties in accomplishing it. It is an illustration of +the fatuity which sometimes marks the lives of men that they did not +perceive what seems perfectly clear and plain to others. Nothing is +more certain than that a part of the evils which the Klan was +combating at this period of its history grew out of their own methods, +and might be expected to continue as long as the Klan existed. Men are +not always wise. But even in cases where their conduct does not permit +of vindication and excuse, justice requires that a fair and truthful +statement be made of the temptations and embarrassments which +surrounded them. Placing all the circumstances before us fully, who of +us is prepared to say that we would have acted with more wisdom and +discretion than these men? + + [Illustration: CARPETBAGGERS LISTENING TO A KU KLUX REPORT + Coon and Sibly of the Alabama Legislature. Cartoon from Screw's + "Lost Legislature." + FACING PAGE 113] + +Matters grew worse and worse, till it was imperatively necessary that +there should be interference on the part of the Government. In +September, 1868, the Legislature of Tennessee, in obedience to the +call of Governor Brownlow, assembled in extra session and passed a +most stringent and bloody anti-Ku Klux statute.[51] This was the +culmination of a long series of the most infamous legislations which +ever disgraced a statute book. + +It began in 1865, as we have seen, in the passage of the alien and +sedition act, and grew worse and worse till the passage of the anti-Ku +Klux statute in 1868. Sixteen years have passed since then, and many +into whose hands this book will come have never seen the "Anti-Ku +Klux Law." We quote it entire, to show the character of the +legislation of those times as well as for the sake of its bearing on +the matter in hand: + + SEC. 1. _Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Tennessee_, + That if any person or persons shall unite with, associate with, + promote or encourage any secret organization of persons who + shall prowl through the country or towns of this State, by day + or by night, disguised or otherwise, for the purpose of + disturbing the peace, or alarming the peaceable citizens of any + portion of this State, on conviction by any tribunal of this + State, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars, + imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than five years, and + shall be rendered infamous. + + SEC. 2. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the courts in this State, before the impaneling of any grand + jury or petit jury in any cause whatever, to inquire of the + juror, on oath, whether he shall be associated in any way + obnoxious to the first section of this act; and if such juror + shall decline to give a voluntary answer, or shall answer + affirmatively, such persons shall be disqualified as a juror in + any case in any court in this State. + + SEC. 3. _Be it further enacted_, That, for the purpose of + facilitating the execution of the provisions of this act, it + shall be the duty of the Prosecuting Attorneys of this State or + grand jurors, or either of them, to summons or cause to be + summoned, any persons he shall have a well-grounded belief has + any knowledge of such organization as described by the first + section of this act, and if any person shall fail or refuse to + obey such summons, or shall appear and refuse to testify, such + persons so summoned shall suffer the penalty imposed by the + first section of this act; and if such witness shall avoid the + service of said subpoena or summons, the sheriff, or other + officer, shall return such fact on said process, when the court + shall order a copy of said process to be left at the last place + of residence of such persons sought to be summoned; and if such + person shall fail to appear according to the command of said + process, said court shall enter a judgment _nisi_ against such + person for the sum of five hundred dollars, for which _sci. fa._ + shall issue, as in other cases of forfeiture of subpoena. + + SEC. 4. _Be it further enacted_, That no prosecutor shall be + required on any indictment under the provisions of this act; and + all the courts of the State shall give a remedial construction + to the same; and that no presentment or indictment shall be + quashed, or declared insufficient for want of form. + + SEC. 5. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the courts of this State, at every term, for two years from + and after the passage of this act, to call before it all the + officers thereof, who shall be sworn, and have this act read or + explained to them; and the court shall ask said officers if they + shall have any knowledge of any person of the State, or out of + it, that shall be guilty of any of the offenses contained in + this act, and that, if at any time they shall come to such + knowledge, or shall have a well-grounded belief that any person + or persons shall be guilty of a violation of this act or any of + its provisions, that they will immediately, inform the + Prosecuting Attorney for the State thereof; and if such + Prosecuting Attorney, upon being so informed, shall fail, + refuse, or neglect to prosecute such person or persons so + informed on, he shall be subject to the same penalties imposed + by the first section of this act, and shall be stricken from the + roll of attorneys in said court. + + SEC. 6. _Be it further enacted_, That if any officer, or other + person, shall inform any other person that he or she is to be + summoned as a witness under any of the provisions of this act, + or any other statute or law of this State, with the intent and + for the purpose of defeating any of the provisions of this act, + or any criminal law of this State; or if any officer, clerk, + sheriff or constable shall refuse or fail to perform any of the + duties imposed by this act, upon conviction, shall suffer the + penalties by the first section of this act, and shall be + disqualified from holding office in this State for two years. + + SEC. 7. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall + voluntarily inform on any person guilty of any of the provisions + of this act, upon conviction such informant shall be entitled + and receive one-half of the fine imposed; and if any officer, + three-fourths. + + SEC. 8. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person, guilty of + any of the provisions or offenses enumerated in this act, that + shall appear before any jury or prosecuting officer of the + State, and shall inform him or them of any offense committed by + any person or persons against the criminal laws of this State, + such person or witness shall not be bound to answer to any + charge for the violation of any provisions of any law about + which such person or witness shall be examined; and the court + shall protect such witness from any prosecution whatever. + + SEC. 9. _Be it further enacted_, That where any process shall be + issued against the person of any citizen in any county of this + State, for any violation of the provisions of this act, and such + shall be returned not executed, for any cause whatever, by the + sheriff or other officer, to the court from which it was issued, + with an affidavit appended thereto, plainly setting forth the + reason for the non-execution of such process, then it shall be + the duty of the clerk, without delay, to issue an _alias capias_ + to the same county, if the home of the defendant shall be in + said county, either in part or in whole, when said sheriff or + other officer shall give notice to the inhabitants of said + county by posting such notice at the court-house of said county, + of the existence of said capias; and if the inhabitants of such + county shall permit such defendant to be or to live in said + county, in part or in whole, the inhabitants shall be subject to + an assessment of not less than five hundred dollars, nor more + than five thousand dollars, at the discretion of the court, + which said assessment shall be made in the following manner, + to-wit: When the sheriff or other officer shall return his + _alias capias_, showing that said defendant is an inhabitant of + said county, in part or in whole, and that the citizens thereof + have failed or refused to arrest said defendant, which every + citizen is hereby authorized to do or perform. Said court shall + order _sci. fa._ to issue to the proper officer to make known to + the chairman, judge, or other presiding officer of the County + Court, to appear and show cause why final judgment should not + have been entered up accordingly; which, if any County Court + fails or refuses to do and perform, any judge, in vacation, + shall grant a _mandamus_ to compel said County Court to assess + and collect said assessment, to be paid into the State treasury + for the benefit of the school fund; provided, said assessment + shall not be made of the sheriff or other officer, upon the + return of the original, or _alias_ writs, show cause why the + same cannot be executed, which may be done by his affidavit and + two respectable witnesses known to the court as such. + + SEC. 10. _Be it further enacted_, That all the inhabitants in + this State shall be authorized to arrest any person defendant, + under the provisions of this act, in any county in this State + without process. + + SEC. 11. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall write, publish, advise, entreat or persuade, privately or + publicly, any class of persons, or any individual, to resist any + of the laws of this State calculated to molest or disturb the + good people and peaceable citizens of the State, such persons + shall be subject to the penalties of the first section of this + act; and if an attorney at law, he shall be stricken from the + roll of attorneys and be prevented from practicing in any court + in this State. + + SEC. 12. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall make + threats against any elector or person authorized to exercise the + elective franchise, with the intention of intimidating or + preventing such person or persons from attending any election in + this State, they shall be subject to the penalties inflicted by + the first section of this act. + + SEC. 13. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall attempt to break up any election in this State, or advise + the same to be done, with a view of preventing the lawful or + qualified citizens of this State from voting, they shall be + subject to the penalties prescribed by the first section of this + act; and the attorney of the State in all convictions under the + provisions of this act, shall be entitled to a tax fee of one + hundred dollars, to be taxed in the bill of costs, and to be + paid by the defendant. And the attorney prosecuting for the + State shall keep all information given him a secret, unless it + shall be necessary, in the opinion of the court, that the same + should be made public. + + SEC. 14. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of + all the judges in this State to read this act to the grand + juries, and give it especially in charge to said juries. + + SEC. 15. _Be it further enacted_, That the treasurer of this + State shall not be authorized to pay any judge in this State any + salary, or to any clerk, sheriff, or attorney, any fee or bill + of costs that may accrue to such parties under the provisions of + this act, until such judge or other officer shall have filed + with the comptroller or treasurer an affidavit plainly setting + forth that he has fully complied with the provisions of this + act. + + SEC. 16. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or citizen + of this State shall voluntarily feed, or lodge, or entertain, or + conceal in the woods, or elsewhere, any offender known to such + person to be charged with any criminal offense under this act, + such person shall suffer the penalty prescribed by the first + section of this act; provided, that this section shall not apply + to persons who, under the ancient law, might feed or conceal the + party charged. + + SEC. 17. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person, guilty of + any of the offenses enumerated in this act, shall have, own or + possess any real estate held by deed, or grant, or entry, or by + fee, or entail in law, or equity, the same shall be bound for + costs, fines or penalties imposed by any of the provisions of + this act; and a lien is hereby declared to attach to all estates + in law or equity, as above, dating from the day or night of the + commission of the offense, which fact may be found by the jury + trying the cause, or any other jury impaneled for that purpose; + and if in the opinion of the court the defendant has evaded the + law, the jury shall find such fact, and the estate of the + defendant shall be made liable for the costs of the State; and + there shall be no limitation to the recovery of the same. + + SEC. 18. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person or persons + shall be guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this + act, to the prejudice or injury of any individual, the jury + trying the defendant shall, or may find such fact with the + amount of injury sustained, which shall be paid to the injured + party or person entitled to the same, by the laws of descent of + this State, with all costs, and who shall have the same lien on + the property of the defendant that is possessed or given to the + State by this act. + + SEC. 19. _Be it further enacted_, That if any person shall + knowingly make or cause to be made, any uniform or regalia, in + part or in whole, by day or night, or shall be found in + possession of the same, he, she or they shall be fined at the + discretion of the court, and shall be rendered infamous. + + SEC. 20. _Be it further enacted_, That in addition to the oath + prescribed by the constitution and oath of office, every public + officer shall swear that he has never been a member of the + organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, or other disguised body + of men contrary to the laws of the State, and that he has + neither directly nor indirectly aided, encouraged, supported, or + in any manner countenanced said organization. + + SEC. 21. _Be it further enacted_, That the attorneys or + prosecuting officers for the State, shall be entitled to and + receive five per cent, on all forfeitures or assessments made by + this act, on compensations to be paid by the defendant. + + SEC. 22. _Be it further enacted_, That the standard of damages + for injuries to individuals shall be as follows: For disturbing + any of the officers of the State or other person, by entering + the house or houses, or place of residence of any such + individual in the night, in a hostile manner, or against his + will, the sum of ten thousand dollars; and it shall be lawful + for the person so assailed to kill the assailant. For killing + any individual in the night twenty thousand dollars; provided, + such person killed was peaceable at that time. That all other + injuries shall be assessed by the court and jury in proportion; + and the court trying said causes may grant as many new trials as + may, in his opinion, be necessary to attain the end of justice. + + SEC. 23. _Be it further enacted_, That all persons present, and + not giving immediate information on the offenders, shall be + regarded as guilty of a misdemeanor against the law, and shall + be punished accordingly. + + SEC. 24. _Be it further enacted_, That it shall not be lawful + for any persons to publish any proffered or pretended order of + said secret, unlawful clans; and any person convicted under any + of the provisions of this act, shall not claim, hold, or possess + any property, real or personal, exempt from execution, fine, + penalty or costs, under this act; provided, that nothing herein + contained shall be so construed as to prevent or exempt any + person heretofore guilty of any of the offenses herein contained + from prosecution under the law as it now stands. This act to + take effect from after its passage.[52] + +The same legislature passed a bill authorizing the Governor to +organize, equip and call into active service, at his discretion, a +volunteer force, to be known as the Tennessee State Guards; to be +composed of one or more regiments from each congressional district of +the State; provided always that said Tennessee State Guards shall be +composed of loyal men. + +And it was further provided by the "Militia Law," that upon the +representation of "ten Union men, or three Justices of the Peace in +any county in the State," that the presence of these troops were +needed, that the Governor might declare martial law in such counties, +and send thither troops in such numbers as, in his judgment, were +necessary for the preservation of peace and order. And it was provided +that the expense of these troops to the State should be collected from +the counties where they were quartered. + +The reader has now some insight into the character of the legislation +direct against the Ku Klux. He will not only note the general severity +and harshness of it, but the following features in particular: + +(1). The anti-Ku Klux statute was _ex post facto_, as expressly +declared by Section 24 of it. (2). It presented no way in which a man +could relieve himself from liability to it, except by turning +informer, and as an inducement to do this a large bribe was offered. +(3). It encouraged strife, by making every inhabitant of the State an +officer extraordinary with power "to arrest without process" when he +had ground to suspect. (4). It must be remembered that in those days +in Tennessee "to be loyal" had a very limited meaning. It meant simply +to be a subservient tool and supporter of Governor Brownlow. If a man +was not that, no matter what his past record, or what his political +opinion, he was not "loyal." (5). While the law professed to be aimed +at the suppression of all lawlessness, it was not so construed and +enforced by the party in power. The "Union" or "Loyal" League was +never molested, though this organization met frequently, and its +members appeared by day and by night, armed, threatening and molesting +the life and property of as peaceable and quiet citizens as any in the +State. No attempt was ever made to arrest men except in Ku Klux +disguises. But as before remarked there is no instance on record of a +Ku Klux being arrested, tried and convicted. Invariably the party +arrested while depredating as Ku Klux turned out to be, when stripped +of their disguises, "loyal" men. + +In some sections of the State a perfect reign of terror followed this +anti-Ku Klux statute. The members of the Klan were now in the attitude +of men fighting for life and liberty. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of +them were not lawbreakers, and did not desire to be. There had been no +law against association with the Klan; they had conceived and done no +wrong during their connection with it. They had had no participation +in or knowledge of the excesses in which some of the Klan had indulged +or were charged with having indulged in. But now their previous +connection with the Klan was made a penal offense; and they had no +hope except on terms which to men of honor and right principle were +more odious than death. + +These men were made infamous, made liable to fine and imprisonment, +exposed to arrest without process by any malicious negro or mean white +man; and even their wives and children were outlawed and exposed to +the same indignities; and it is no strange thing if they were driven +to the very verge of desperation. It is not denied that they did many +things for which the world has been exceedingly slow to accept apology +or excuse. But history is challenged to furnish an instance of a +people bearing gross wrong and brutal outrage perpetrated in the name +of law and loyalty with patience, forbearance or forgiveness, +comparable to that exhibited by the people of the Southern States, +and especially of Tennessee, during what is called the "Reconstruction +period," and since. + +There may be in their conduct some things to regret, and some to +condemn; but he who gets a full understanding of their surroundings, +social, civil and political, if he is not incapable of noble +sentiment, will also find many things to awaken his sympathy and call +forth his admiration. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[47] See Major Crowe's statement on p. 22. + +[48] "At this late day (1901) I am gratified to be able to say that my +company did much good service to Tuscaloosa county. Had these +organizations confined their operations to their legitimate object, +viz: Punishing impudent negroes and negro-loving whites, then their +performances would have effected only good. Unfortunately, the Klan +began to degenerate into a vile means of wreaking revenge for personal +dislikes or personal animosities, and in this way many outrages were +perpetrated, ultimately resulting in casting so much well-deserved +odium on the whole concern that about the year 1870 there was almost a +universal collapse; all the good and brave men abandoning it in +disgust. Many outrages were committed in the name of Ku Klux that +really were done by irresponsible parties who never belonged to the +Klan."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[49] I have been told that in Tennessee several members of the Klan +were executed by its orders for committing evil deeds under name of +the Klan.--_Editor._ + +[50] Some of the "Dens" disbanded in 1868. "As soon as our object was +effected, viz., got the negroes to behave themselves, we +disbanded."--_Ryland Randolph._ + +[51] Most of the carpetbag and negro legislatures of the other +Southern States passed similar laws, and Congress enacted a series of +three "Force Laws" in 1870-1871. See Burgess' "Reconstruction and the +Constitution," pp. 253, 262; Fleming's "Civil War and Reconstruction +in Alabama," p. 695.--_Editor._ + +[52] This is a good specimen of the "Force Laws" which were meant to +uphold the Radical governments in the South against popular +disaffection.--_Editor._ + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DISBANDMENT. + + +On the 20th day of February, 1869, Governor Brownlow resigned his +position as Governor to take the seat in the United States Senate, to +which he had been elected. The last paper to which he affixed his +signature as Governor of Tennessee, proclaimed martial law in certain +counties, and ordered troops to be sent thither. This proclamation was +dated February 20, 1869. In a short while it was followed by a +proclamation from the "Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire" to his +subjects. + +This proclamation recited the legislation directed against the Klan, +and stated that the order had now, in large measure, accomplished the +objects of its existence. At a time when the civil law afforded +inadequate protection to life and property, when robbery and +lawlessness of every description were unrebuked, when all the better +elements of society were in constant dread for the safety of their +property, persons and families, the Klan had afforded protection and +security to many firesides, and, in many ways contributed to the +public welfare. But greatly to the regret of all good citizens, some +members of the Klan had violated positive orders; others, under the +name and disguises of the organization, had assumed to do acts of +violence, for which the Klan was held responsible. The Grand Wizard +had been invested with the power to determine questions of paramount +importance to the interests of the order. Therefore, in the exercise +of that power, the Grand Wizard declared that the organization +heretofore known as the Ku Klux Klan was dissolved and disbanded. + +Members were directed to burn all regalia and paraphernalia of every +description, and to desist from any further assemblies or acts as Ku +Klux.[53] The members of the Klan were counseled in the future as +heretofore, to assist all good people of the land in maintaining and +upholding the civil laws, and in putting down lawlessness. This +proclamation was directed to all Realms, Dominions, Provinces and +"Dens" in "the Empire." It is reasonably certain that there were +portions of the Empire never reached by it. The Klan was widely +scattered and the facilities for communication exceedingly poor. The +Grand Wizard was a citizen of Tennessee. Under the statute just now +quoted newspapers were forbidden to publish anything emanating from +the Klan. So that there was no way in which this proclamation could be +generally disseminated. + +Where it was promulgated, obedience to it was prompt and implicit. +Whether obeyed or not, this proclamation terminated the Klan's +organized existence as decisively and completely as General Lee's last +general order, on the morning of the 10th of April, 1865, disbanded +the army of Northern Virginia. + +When the office of Grand Wizard was created and its duties defined, it +was explicitly provided that he should have "the power to determine +questions of paramount importance, and his decision shall be final." +To continue the organization or to disband it was such a question. He +decided in favor of disbanding, and so ordered. Therefore the Ku Klux +Klan had no organized existence after March, 1869.[54] + +The report of the Congressional Investigating Committee contains some +disreputable history, which belongs to a later date, and is attributed +to the Klan, but not justly so. For several years, after March, 1869, +the papers reported and commented on "Ku Klux outrages" committed at +various points. The authors of these outrages may have acted in the +name of the Klan, and under its disguises; it may be that in some +cases they were men who had been Ku Klux. But it cannot be charged +that they were acting by the authority of an order which had formally +disbanded. They were acting on their own responsibility. + +Thus lived, so died, this strange order. Its birth was an accident; +its growth was a comedy; its death a tragedy. It owed its existence +wholly to the anomalous condition of social and civil affairs in the +South during the years immediately succeeding the unfortunate contest +in which so many brave men in blue and gray fell, martyrs to their +convictions. + +There never was, before or since, a period of our history when such an +order could have lived. May there never be again! + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[53] In the copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript owned by +Columbia University Library is bound a letter in which is mentioned +this order of destruction.--_Editor._ + +[54] The local "Dens" were not affected by this order. Many had +already disbanded; many more remained active as long as the +Reconstruction regime lasted.--_Editor._ + + + + +APPENDIX I. + + + PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + + ADOPTED AT A CONVENTION OF THE ORDER + HELD IN NASHVILLE, APRIL, 1867 + + Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page + for page. The type used here is slightly larger than + in the original document. + + + + +[Page header: Damnant quod non intelligunt. 1] + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +* * + + What may this mean, + That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, + Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, + Making night hideous; and we fools of nature, + So horridly to shake our disposition, + With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? + + + An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin', + A certain _Ghoul_ is rantin', drinkin', + Some luckless night will send him linkin', + To your black pit; + But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin', + And cheat you yet. + + + [Header: Amici humani generis. 2] + + CREED. + + We the * * reverently acknowledge + the Majesty and Supremacy of the Divine being, + and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the + Same. + + PREAMBLE. + + We recognize our relations to the United States + Government and acknowledge the supremacy of + its laws. + + APPELLATION. + + ARTICLE I. This organization shall be styled and + denominated the * * + + TITLES. + + ART. II. The officers of this * shall consist of + a Grand Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii; + a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hy- + dras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six + Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province and his four + Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two + Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a + Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe, + a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand Ensign. + + SEC. 2. The body politic of this * shall be des- + ignated and known as "Ghouls." + + DIVISIONS. + + ART. III. This * shall be divided into five de- + partments, all combined, constituting the Grand + * of the Empire. The second department to be + called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the + Grand * of the Dominion. The fourth, the Grand + * of the Province. The fifth, the * of the Den. + + DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + + GRAND WIZARD. + + ART. IV. SEC. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Wizard, who is the Supreme Officer of the Empire + to communicate with and receive reports from the + + [Footer: Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.] + + [Header: Nec scire fas est omnia. 3] + + Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, + strength, efficiency and progress of the *s + within their respective Realms. And he shall com- + municate from time to time, to all subordinates *s, + through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength, + efficiency, and progress of the *s throughout his vast + Empire; and such other information as he may deem + expedient to impart. And it shall further be his du- + ty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without + any caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand + Dragons of the different Realms of his Empire, and + shall number such Realms with the Arabic nume- + rals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct + his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and + disbursement which he shall make of the revenue + of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have + the sole power to issue copies of this Prescript, + through his Subalterns and Deputies, for the organ- + ization and establishment of subordinate *s. And + he shall have the further power to appoint his Ge- + nii; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer + for his Department, and to appoint and ordain + Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the + more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab- + lishment of the * throughout his Empire. He is + further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu- + ties, to organize and control Realms, Dominions, + Provinces, and Dens, until the same shall elect a + Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and + a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provid- + ded. And when a question of paramount impor- + tance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises, + not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have + power to determine such question, and his decision + shall be final, until the same shall be provided for + by amendment as hereinafter provided. + + [Footer: Ne vile fano.] + + [Header: Ars est celare artem. 4] + + GRAND DRAGON. + + Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon + who is the Chief Officer of the Realm, to report to + the Grand Wizard when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of + the * within his Realm, and to transmit through + the Grand Titan to the subordinate *s of his Realm, + all information or intelligence conveyed to him by + the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such oth- + er information or instruction as he may think will + promote the interests of the *. He shall keep by his + G. Scribe a list of the names (without any caption) + of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of + his Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand + Wizard when required; and shall number the Do- + minions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1, + 2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand + Exchequer as to the appropriation and disburse- + ment of the revenue of the * that comes to his + hands. He shall have the power to appoint his + Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exche- + quer for his Department, and to appoint and ordain + Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the + more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab- + lishment of the * throughout his Realm. He is + further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu- + ties to organize and control Dominions, Provinces + and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Titan, + a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the manner + hereinafter provided. + + GRAND TITAN. + + Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan + who is the Chief Officer of the Dominion, to report + to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress + of the * within his Dominion, and to transmit + through the Grand Giants to the subordinate *s + + [Footer: Nusquam tuta fides.] + + [Header: Quid faciendum? 5] + + of his Dominion, all information or intelligence con- + veyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that pur + pose, and all such other information or instruction + as he may think will enhance the interests of the *. + He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the names + (without caption) of the Grand Giants of the differ- + ent Provinces of his Dominion, and shall report the + same to the Grand Dragon when required; and he + shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with + the Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he + shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to + the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue + of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have + power to appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand + Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his department, + and appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Ti- + tans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual + dissemination and establishment of the * throughout + his Dominion. He shall have further power to + appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and con- + trol Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect + a Grand Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the man- + ner hereinafter provided. + + GRAND GIANT. + + Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, + who is the Chief Officer of the Province, to super- + vise and administer general and special in- + struction in the formation and establishment of + *s within his Province, and to report to the Grand + Titan, when required by that officer, the condition, + strength, progress and efficiency of the * through- + out his Province, and to transmit, through the + Grand Cyclops, to the subordinate *s of his Pro- + vince, all information or intelligence conveyed to + him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such + other information and instruction as he may think + + [Footer: Fide non armis.] + + [Header: Fiat justia. 6] + + will advance the interests of the *. He shall keep by + his G. Scribe a list of the names (without caption) of + the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Prov- + ince, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan + when required; and shall number the Dens of his + Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad + finem._ And shall determine and limit the number + of Dens to be organized in his Province. And he + shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to + what appropriation and disbursement he shall make + of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. + He shall have power to appoint his Goblins; also, + a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his de- + partment, and to appoint and ordain Special Depu- + ty Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid + and effectual dissemination and establishment of + the * throughout his Province. He shall have + the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies + to organize and control Dens, until the same shall + elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner hereinafter + provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and + conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos. + + GRAND CYCLOPS. + + Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops + to take charge of the * of his Den after his election, + under the direction and with the assistance (when + practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance + with, and in conformity to the provisions of this + Prescript, a copy of which shall in all cases be obtain- + ed before the formation of a * begins. It shall fur- + ther be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of + his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregu- + lar meetings when he deems it expedient, to preserve + order in his Den, and to impose fines for irregularities + or disobedience of orders, and to receive and initiate + candidates for admission into the * after the + same shall have been pronounced competent and wor- + + [Footer: Hic manent vestigia morientis libertatis.] + + [Header: Curae leves loquntur, ingentes stupent. 7] + + thy become members by the Investigating Com- + mittee. He shall make a quarterly report to the + Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and ef- + ficiency of the * of his Den, and shall convey to + the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelli- + gence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that + purpose, and all other such information or instruc- + tion as he may think will conduce to the interests + and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and con- + duct the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have + power to appoint his Night Hawks, his Grand + Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and + his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and di- + rect the Grand Exchequer of his Den, as to what + appropriation and disbursement he shall make of + the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. + And for any small offense he may punish any mem- + ber by fine, and may reprimand him for the same: + And he may admonish and reprimand the * of + his Den for any imprudence, irregularity or trans- + gression, when he is convinced or advised that the + interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it. + + GRAND MAGI. + + Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, + who is the Second Officer, in Authority, of the Den, + to assist the Grand Cyclops and to obey all the + proper orders of that officer. To preside at all + meetings in the Den in the absence of the Grand + Cyclops; and to exercise during his absence all the + powers and authority conferred upon that officer. + + GRAND MONK. + + Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, + who is the third officer, in authority, of the Den, to + assist and obey all the proper orders of the Grand + Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence + of both of these officers, he shall preside at and con- + duct the meetings in the Den, and shall exercise all + + [Footer: Dat Deus his quoque finem.] + + [Header: Cessante causa, cessat effectus. 8] + + the powers and authority conferred upon the Grand + Cyclops. + + GRAND EXCHEQUER. + + Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exche- + quers of the different Departments of the * to keep + a correct account of all the revenue of the * that + shall come to their hands, and shall make no appro- + priation or disbursement of the same except under + the orders and direction of the chief officer of their + respective departments. And it shall further be + the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect + the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the + Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND TURK. + + Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, + who is the Executive Officer of the Grand Cyclops, + to notify the ghouls of the Den of all informal or + irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops + and to obey and execute all the lawful orders of that + officer in the control and government of his Den. + It shall further be his duty to receive and question + at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into + the *, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary + obligation required, and then to conduct such can- + didate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his + Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. + And it shall further be his duty to act as the ex- + ecutive officer of the Grand Council of Centaurs. + + GRAND SCRIBE. + + Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes + of the different departments to conduct the corres- + pondence and write the orders of the chiefs of their + departments, when required. And it shall further + be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep + a list of the names (without caption) of the ghouls + of the Den--to call the Roll at all regular meetings + and to make the quarterly report under the direc- + tion of the Grand Cyclops. + + [Footer: Droit et avant.] + + [Header: Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. 9] + + GRAND SENTINEL. + + Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Senti- + nel to detail, take charge of, post and instruct the + Grand Guard under the direction and orders of the + Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same + when directed by that officer. + + GRAND ENSIGN. + + Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign + to take charge of the Grand Banner of the *, to + preserve it sacredly, and protect it carefully, and to + bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and + on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may + direct it to be flung to the night breeze. + + ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + + ART. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand + Magi, the Grand Monk, and the Grand Exchequer + of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the + ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these + officers may take place as soon as seven ghouls have + been initiated for that purpose. + + Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the + Grand Dragons of Realms, the Grand Titans of Do- + minions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall + be elected biennially, and in the following man- + ner, to wit: The Grand Wizard by a majority vote + of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand + Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his + Realm; the Grand Titans by a like vote of the + Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the Grand Gi- + ant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Pro- + vince. + + The first election for Grand Dragon may take + place as soon as three Dominions have been organ- + ized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections shall + be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, through- + out the Realm, and biennially as aforesaid. + + The first election for Grand Titan may take place + + [Footer: Dormitur aliquando jus, moritur nunquam.] + + [Header: Deo adjuvante, non timendum. 10] + + as soon as three Provinces have been organized in a + Dominion, but all subsequent elections shall be by a + majority vote of all the Grand Giants throughout + the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid. + + The first election for Grand Giant may take place + as soon as three Dens have been organized in a + Province, but all subsequent elections shall be by a + majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout + the Province, and biennially as aforesaid. + + The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby cre- + ated, to serve three years from the First Monday + in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time, + biennial elections shall be held for that office as + aforesaid. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall + notify the Grand Dragons, at least six months be- + fore said election, at what time and place the same + will be held. + + JUDICIARY. + + ART. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this + * shall consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and + a Grand Council of Centaurs. + + Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be + the Tribunal for the trial of all elected officers, and + shall be composed of officers of equal rank with the + accused, and shall be appointed and presided over + by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by + him to administer even handed justice. The Tribu- + nal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, shall be com- + posed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and + shall be presided over and sworn by the senior + Grand Dragon. They shall have power to summon + the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and + if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and + execute the same. And they shall have power to + appoint an executive officer to attend said Council + while in session. + + [Footer: Spectemur agendo.] + + [Header: Nemo nos impune lacessit. 11] + + Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be + the Tribunal for the trial of Ghouls and non-elective + officers, and shall be composed of six judges appoint- + ed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den, + presided over and sworn by him to give the ac- + cused a fair and impartial trial. They shall + have power to summon the accused, and + witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty + they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the + same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand + Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integri- + ty and fair-mindedness, and shall render their ver- + dict without prejudice or partiality. + + REVENUE. + + ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall + be derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre- + script issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars will + be required. Two dollars of which shall go into + the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Gi- + ant; two into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of + the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand + Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining + four into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the + Grand Wizard. + + Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of the + Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the Grand + Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable + to levy the same. + + Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Domin- + ions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand + Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispen- + sable. + + Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin- + ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Pro- + + [Footer: Patria cara, carior libertas.] + + [Header: Ad unum omnes. 12] + + vinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the Grand + Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispen- + sable. + + Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces + shall be ten per cent. on all the revenue of Dens, + and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand Giant + shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + + Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be + the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax, when- + ever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such tax indis- + pensable to the interests and purposes of the *. + + Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the man- + ner herein aforesaid, shall be for the exclusive ben- + efit of the *. And shall be appropriated to the + dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a + fund to meet any disbursement that it may become + necessary to make to accomplish the objects of the + *, and to secure the protection of the same. + + OBLIGATION. + + ART. VIII. No one shall become a member of + this *, unless he shall take the following oath or + obligation: + + "I, ---- of my own free will and accord, and in + the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear + or affirm that I will never reveal to any one, not a + member of the * * by any intimation, sign, + symbol, word or act, or in any other manner what- + ever, any of the secrets, signs, grips, pass words, + mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am + a member of the same or that I know any one who + _is_ a member, and that I will abide by the Prescript + and Edicts of the * *. So help me God." + + Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be adminis- + tered before the candidate for admission is taken + to the Grand Cyclops for examination, shall be as + follows: + + "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never + + [Footer: Deo duce, ferro comitante.] + + [Header: Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. 13] + + reveal any thing that I may this day (or night) + learn concerning the * *. So help me God." + + ADMISSION. + + ART. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for + admission into this *, until he shall have been + recommended by some friend or intimate, who _is_ a + member, to the Investigating Committee, which + shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand + Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall investi- + gate his antecedents and his past and present stand- + ing and connections, and if after such investigation, + they pronounce him competent and worthy to become + a member, he may be admitted upon taking the ob- + ligation required and passing through the ceremo- + nies of initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be + admitted into this * who shall have not attain- + ed the age of eighteen years. + + Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a dis- + tant * when there is a * established and in + operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor + shall any one become a member of any * after + he shall have been rejected by any other *. + + ENSIGN. + + ART. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be + in the form of an isosceles triangle, five feet long + and three wide at the staff. The material shall be + Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three + inches in width. There shall be painted upon it, + in black, a Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55] with + the following motto inscribed above the Dragon, + + "QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS."[56] + + AMENDMENTS. + + ART. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts + thereof, shall never be changed except by a two- + + [Footer: O tempora! O mores!] + + [Header: Ad utrumque paratus. 14] + + thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in + Convention assembled, and at which Convention + the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a + vote. And upon the application of a majority of + the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the Grand + Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said + Convention; which, when assembled, shall pro- + ceed to make such modifications and amendments as + it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the + utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purpo- + ses of the *. + + INTERDICTION. + + ART. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and + ritual of this * shall never be written, but the + same shall be communicated orally. + + REGISTER. + + 1st--Dismal. 7th--Dreadful. + 2nd--Dark. 8th--Terrible. + 3rd--Furious. 9th--Horrible. + 4th--Portentous. 10th--Melancholy. + 5th--Wonderful. 11th--Mournful. + 6th--Alarming. 12th--Dying. + + II. + + I--White. IV--Black. + II--Green. V--Yellow. + III--Blue. VI--Crimson. + VII--Purple. + + III. + + 1--Fearful. 7--Doleful. + 2--Startling. 8--Sorrowful. + 3--Awful. 9--Hideous. + 4--Woeful. 10--Frightful. + 5--Horrid. 11--Appalling. + 6--Bloody. 12--Last. + + EDICTS. + + I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one + dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated + and received into the *. + + II. No member shall be allowed to take any in- + toxicating spirits to any meeting of the *. Nor + shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting + when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a + meeting in such a condition, he shall be fined the + + [Footer: Cavendo tutus.] + + [Header: Astra castra, numen lumen. 15] + + sum of not less than one nor more than five dollars, + to go into the revenue of the *. + + III. Any member may be expelled from the * + by a majority vote of the officers and ghouls of the + Den to which he belongs, and if after such expulsion + such member shall assume any of the duties, rega- + lia or insignia of the * or in any way claim to be + a member of the same, he shall be severely punish- + ed. His obligation of secrecy shall be as binding + upon him after expulsion as before, and for any + revelation made by him thereafter, he shall be held + accountable in the same manner as if he were then + a member. + + IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to + be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to the * + of his Den, at least once in every three months,-- + And shall read them to each new member when he + is initiated, or present the same to him for person- + al perusal. + + V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand + Banner of the *. + + VI. The *s of Dens may make such addition- + al Edicts for their control and government as they + shall deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, + No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the pro- + visions or Edicts of this Prescript. + + VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, con- + cerning any and everything that relates to the * + shall at all times be maintained. + + VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the + secrets or purposes of this * shall suffer the ex- + treme penalty of the Law. + + Hush, thou art not to utter what + I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant. + I said that I would see thee once again. + + [Footer: Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat.] + + [Header: Amici usque ad aras. 16] + + L' ENVOI. + + To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Jus- + tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of + the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the * * + + [Footer: Nos ducit amor libertatis.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial. + +[56] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be true." + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + +ADOPTED IN 1868 (?) + + +Reprinted _in facsimile_ + + + + + REVISED AND AMENDED + + PRESCRIPT + + OF THE + + ORDER + + OF THE + + * + * * + + + _Damnant quod non intelligunt._ + + + + + APPELLATION. + + This Organization shall be styled and + denominated, the Order of the * * *. + + CREED. + + We, the Order of the * * *, rever- + entially acknowledge the majesty and + supremacy of the Divine Being, and + recognize the goodness and providence + of the same. And we recognize our + relation to the United States Govern- + ment, the supremacy of the Constitu- + tion, the Constitutional Laws thereof, + and the Union of States thereunder. + + CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. + + This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, + Mercy, and Patriotism; embodying in its genius + and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct, + noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and + patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being + + First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and + the defenceless, from the indignities, wrongs, and + outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the + brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to + succor the suffering and unfortunate, and espe- + cially the widows and orphans of Confederate + soldiers. + + Second: To protect and defend the Constitu- + tion of the United States, and all laws passed in + conformity thereto, and to protect the States and + the people thereof from all invasion from any + source whatever. + + Third: To aid and assist in the execution of + all constitutional laws, and to protect the people + from unlawful seizure, and from trial except by + their peers in conformity to the laws of the land. + + ARTICLE I. + + TITLES. + + SECTION 1. The officers of this Order shall consist + of a Grand Wizard of the Empire, and + his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm, + + [Header: _Nec scire fas est omnia._ 4] + + and his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Do- + minion, and his six Furies; a Grand Giant of + the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand + Cyclops of the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a + Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand Scribe, a + Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand + Sentinel. + + SEC. 2. The body politic of this Order shall + be known and designated as "Ghouls." + + ARTICLE II. + + TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS. + + SECTION 1. The territory embraced within the + jurisdiction of this Order shall he coterminous + with the States of Maryland, Virginia, North + Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala- + bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, + Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; all com- + bined constituting the Empire. + + SEC. 2. The Empire shall be divided into four + departments, the first to be styled the Realm, + and coterminus with the boundaries of the + several States; the second to be styled the Do- + minion, and to be coterminous with such coun- + ties as the Grand Dragons of the several Realms + may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan. + The third to be styled the Province, and to be co- + terminous with the several counties; _provided_, + the Grand Titan may, when he deems it neces- + sary, assign two Grand Giants to one Province, + prescribing, at the same time, the jurisdiction of + + [Header: _Amici humani generis._ 5] + + each. The fourth department to be styled the + Den, and shall embrace such part of a Province + as the Grand Giant shall assign to the charge of + a Grand Cyclops. + + ARTICLE III. + + POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + + GRAND WIZARD. + + SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard, who is the + supreme officer of the Empire, shall have power, + and he shall be required to, appoint Grand + Dragons for the different Realms of the Empire; + and he shall have power to appoint his Genii, + also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer + for his Department, and he shall have the sole + power to issue copies of this Prescript, through + his subalterns, for the organization and dissemi- + nation of the Order; and when a question of + paramount importance to the interests or pros- + perity of the Order arises, not provided for in + this Prescript, he shall have power to determine + such question, and his decision shall be final + until the same shall be provided for by amend- + ment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his + duty to communicate with, and receive reports + from, the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the + condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of + the Order within their respective Realms. And, + it shall further be his duty to keep, by his Grand + Scribe, a list of the names (without any caption + or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons, + of the different Realms of the Empire, and shall + + [Header: _Quemeunque miserum videris, hominem scias._ 6] + + number such Realms with the Arabic numerals + 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_; and he shall direct and + instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appro- + priation and disbursement he shall make of the + revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + + GRAND DRAGON. + + SEC. 2. The Grand Dragon, who is the chief + officer of the Realm, shall have power, and he + shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand + Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such + Dominion not to exceed three in number for any + Congressional District) said appointments being + subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of + the Empire. He shall have power to appoint + his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand + Exchequer for his Department. + + It shall be his duty to report to the Grand + Wizard, when required by that officer, the con- + dition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the + Order within his Realm, and to transmit, + through the Grand Titan, or other authorized + sources, to the Order, all information, intelli- + gence, or instruction conveyed to him by the + Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such + other information or instruction as he may think + will promote the interest and utility of the Or- + der. He shall keep by his Grand Scribe, a list + of the names (without caption) of the Grand + Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm, + and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard + when required, and shall number the Domin- + + [Header: _Magna est veritas, et prevalebit._ 7] + + ion of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, + 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he shall direct and in- + struct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropria- + tion and disbursement he shall make of the reve- + nue of the Order that comes to his hands. + + GRAND TITAN. + + SEC. 3. The Grand Titan, who is the chief + officer of the Dominion, shall have power, and he + shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand + Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such + appointments, however, being subject to the ap- + proval of the Grand Dragon of the Realm. He + shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also, + a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his + Department. It shall be his duty to report to + the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, + the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress + of the Order within his Dominion, and to trans- + mit through the Grand Giant, or other author- + ized channels, to the Order, all information, in- + telligence, instruction or directions conveyed to + him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and + all such other information or instruction as he + may think will enhance the interest or efficiency + of the Order. + + He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of + the names (without caption or explanation) of + the Grand Giants of the different Provinces of + his Dominion, and shall report the same to the + Grand Dragon when required; and shall num- + + [Header: _Ne tentes aut perfice._ 8] + + ber the Provinces of his Dominion with the Ar- + abic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he + shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer + as to the appropriation and disbursement he shall + make of the revenue of the Order that comes to + his hands. + + GRAND GIANT. + + SEC. 4. The Grand Giant, who is the chief + officer of the Province, shall have power, and he + is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand Cy- + clops for each Den of his Province, such ap- + pointments, however, being subject to the ap- + proval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion. + And he shall have the further power to appoint + his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand + Exchequer for his Department. + + It shall be his duty to supervise and admin- + ister general and special instructions in the or- + ganization and establishment of the Order within + his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, + when required by that officer, the condition, + strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order + within his Province, and to transmit through the + Grand Cyclops, or other legitimate sources, to the + Order, all information, intelligence, instruction, + or directions conveyed to him by the Grand + Titan or other higher authority for that purpose, + and all such other information or instruction as + he may think would advance the purposes or + prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his + Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without cap- + + [Header: _Quid faciendum?_ 9] + + tion or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of the + various Dens of his Province, and shall report + the same to the Grand Titan when required; and + shall number the Dens of his Province with the + Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. He + shall determine and limit the number of Dens + to be organized and established in his Province; + and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Ex- + chequer as to the appropriation and disburse- + ment he shall make of the revenue of the Order + that comes to his hands. + + GRAND CYCLOPS. + + SEC. 5. The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief + officer of the Den, shall have power to appoint + his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand + Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sen- + tinel. And for small offenses he may punish + any member by fine, and may reprimand him + for the same. And he is further empowered to + admonish and reprimand his Den, or any of the + members thereof, for any imprudence, irregu- + larity, or transgression, whenever he may think + that the interests, welfare, reputation or safety + of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to + take charge of his Den under the instruction and + with the assistance (when practicable) of the + Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in con- + formity to the provisions of this Prescript--a + copy of which shall in all cases be obtained before + the formation of a Den begins. It shall + + [Header: _Fiat justitia ruat coelum._ 10] + + further be his duty to appoint all regular meet- + ings of his Den, and to preside at the same; to + appoint irregular meetings when he deems it ex- + pedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline + in his Den; to impose fines for irregularities or + disobedience of orders; and to receive and initi- + ate candidates for admission into the Order, after + the same shall have been pronounced competent + and worthy to become members, by the Investi- + gating Committee herein after provided for. + And it shall further be his duty to make a quar- + terly report to the Grand Giant of the condition, + strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, and + shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of + his Den, all information, intelligence, instruction, + or direction, conveyed to him by the Grand Gi- + ant or other higher authority for that purpose; + and shall from time to time administer all such + other counsel, instruction or direction, as in his + sound discretion, will conduce to the interests, + and more effectually accomplish, the real objects + and designs of the Order. + + GRAND MAGI. + + SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Magi, who is the second officer in authority of + the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to obey + all the orders of that officer; to preside at all + meetings in the Den, in the absence of the Grand + Cyclops; and to discharge during his absence + all the duties and exercise all the powers and + authority of that officer. + + [Header: _Dormitus aliquando jus, moritus nunquam._ 11] + + GRAND MONK. + + SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Monk, who is the third officer in authority of + the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of the + Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in + the absence of both of these officers, he shall pre- + side at and conduct the meetings in the Den, and + shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the + powers and authority of the Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND EXCHEQUER. + + SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ex- + chequers of the different Departments to keep a + correct account of all the revenue of the Order + that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by + them; and shall make no appropriation or dis- + bursement of the same except under the orders + and direction of the chief officer of their respect- + ive Departments. And it shall further be the + duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect the + initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand + Cyclops, or the officer discharging his functions. + + GRAND TURK. + + SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Turk, who is the executive officer of the Grand + Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the + Den, of all informal or irregular meetings ap- + pointed by the Grand Cyclops, and to obey and + execute all the orders of that officer in the con- + trol and government of his Den. It shall further + be his duty to receive and question at the out- + + [Header: _Quieta non movere._ 12] + + posts, all candidates for admission into the Order, + and shall _there_ administer the preliminary obli- + gation required, and then to conduct such candi- + date or candidates to the Grand Cyclops, and to + assist him in the initiation of the same. + + GRAND SCRIBE. + + SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Scribes of the different Departments to conduct + the correspondence and write the orders of the + Chiefs of their Departments, when required. + And it shall further be the duty of the Grand + Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names + (without any caption or explanation whatever) + of the Officers and Ghouls of the Den, to call the + roll at all meetings, and to make the quarterly + reports under the direction and instruction of the + Grand Cyclops. + + GRAND SENTINEL. + + SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand + Sentinel to take charge of post, and instruct the + Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of + the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss + the same when directed by that officer. + + THE STAFF. + + SEC. 12. The Genii shall constitute the staff of + the Grand Wizard; the Hydras, that of the + Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand + Titan; the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant; + and the Night-hawks, that of the Grand Cyclops, + + [Header: _Quid verum alque decens._ 13] + + REMOVAL. + + SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and sub- + stantial cause, any appointee may be removed by + the authority that appointed him, and his place + supplied by another appointment. + + ARTICLE IV + + ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + + SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard shall be elected + biennially by the Grand Dragons of Realms. + The first election for this office to take place on + the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard + having been created, by the original Prescript, + to serve three years from the 1st Monday in May, + 1867); all subsequent elections to take place every + two years thereafter. And the incumbent Grand + Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons of the + different Realms, at least six months before said + election, at what time and place the same will + be held; a majority vote of all the Grand + Dragons _present_ being necessary and sufficient to + elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be + by ballot, and shall be held by three Commis- + sioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that + purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand + Wizard shall have the casting-vote. + + SEC. 2. The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk + of Dens shall be elected annually by the Ghouls + of Dens; and the first election for these officers + may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been + initiated for the formation of a Den. All subse- + + [Header: _Art est colare artem._ 14] + + quent elections to take place every year there- + after. + + SEC. 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office + of Grand Wizard, by death, resignation, removal, + or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of the + Empire shall immediately assume and enter + upon the discharge of the duties of the Grand + Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and per- + form the duties of said office until the same shall + be filled by election; and the said senior Grand + Dragon, as soon as practicable after the happen- + ing of such vacancy, shall call a convention of + the Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at + such time and place as in his discretion he may + deem most convenient and proper. _Provided_, + however, that the time for assembling such Con- + vention for the election of a Grand Wizard shall + in no case exceed six months from the time such + vacancy occurred; and in the event of a va- + cancy in any other office, the same shall imme- + diately be filled in the manner herein before + mentioned. + + SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or ap- + pointed may retain their offices during the time + for which they have been so elected or appointed, + at the expiration of which time said offices shall + be filled as herein-before provided. + + ARTICLE V + + JUDICIARY. + + SECTION 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this + Order shall consist of a Court at the Head-quar- + + [Header: _Nusquam tuta fides._ 15] + + ters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the + Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the + Chiefs of these several Departments. + + SEC. 2. The Court at the Head-quarters of + the Empire shall consist of three Judges for the + trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and at- + taches belonging to the Head-quarters of the + Empire. + + SEC. 3. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Realm shall consist of three Judges for the trial + of Grand Titans, and the Officers and attaches + belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm. + + SEC. 4. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Dominion shall consist of three Judges for the + trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and at- + taches belonging to the Head-quarters of the + Dominion. + + SEC. 5. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Province shall consist of five Judges for the + trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand + Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and + the Officers and attaches belonging to the Head- + quarters of the Province. + + SEC. 6. The Court at the Head-quarters of the + Den shall consist of seven Judges appointed + from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the + officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den. + + SEC. 7. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand + Wizard shall be composed of at least seven Grand + Dragons, to be convened by the senior Grand + Dragon upon charges being preferred against the + + [Header: _Fide non armis._ 16] + + Grand Wizard; which Tribunal shall be organ- + ized and presided over by the senior Grand + Dragon _present_; and if they find the accused + guilty, they shall prescribe the penalty, and the + senior Grand Dragon of the Empire shall cause + the same to be executed. + + SEC. 8. The aforesaid Courts shall summon + the accused and witnesses for and against him, + and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the pen- + alty, and the Officers convening the Court shall + cause the same to be executed. _Provided_ the ac- + cused shall always have the right of appeal to + the next Court above, whose decision shall be + final. + + SEC. 9. The Judges constituting the aforesaid + Courts shall be selected with reference to their + intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, and + shall render their verdict without prejudice, + favor, partiality, or affection, and shall be so + sworn, upon the organization of the Court; and + shall further be sworn to administer even-handed + justice. + + SEC. 10. The several Courts herein provided + for shall be governed in their deliberations, pro- + ceedings, and judgments by the rules and regu- + lations governing the proceedings of regular + Courts-martial. + + ARTICLE VI. + + REVENUE. + + SECTION 1. The revenue of this Order shall be + derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre- + + [Header: _Dat Deus his quoque finem._ 17] + + script issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2 + of which shall go into the hands of the Grand + Exchequer of the Grand Giant, $2 into the hands + of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan, + $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of + the Grand Dragon, and the remaining $4 into + the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand + Wizard. + + SEC. 2. A further source of revenue to the + Empire shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue + of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the + Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and in- + dispensable to levy the same. + + SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms + shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Do- + minions, and a tax upon Dominions when the + Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and in- + dispensable to levy the same. + + SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin- + ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of + Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the + Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and + indispensable. + + SEC. 5. A further source of revenue to Provin- + ces shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of + Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand + Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indis- + pensable. + + SEC. 6. The source of revenue to Dens shall + be the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax, + whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such + + [Header: _Cessante causa, cessat effectus._ 18] + + tax necessary and indispensable to the interests + and objects of the Order. + + SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the man- + ner aforesaid, shall be for the _exclusive_ benefit of + the Order, and shall be appropriated to the + dissemination of the same and to the creation of + a fund to meet any disbursement that it may be- + come necessary to make to accomplish the ob- + jects of the Order and to secure the protection of + the same. + + ARTICLE VII. + + ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. + + SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for ad- + mission into the Order until he shall have first + been recommended by some friend or intimate + who _is_ a member, to the Investigating Commit- + tee, (which shall be composed of the Grand Cy- + clops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,) + and who shall have investigated his antecedents + and his past and present standing and connec- + tions; and after such investigation, shall have + pronounced him competent and worthy to become + a member. _Provided_, no one shall be presented + for admission into, or become a member of, this + Order who shall not have attained the age of + eighteen years. + + SEC. 2. No one shall become a member of this + Order unless he shall _voluntarily_ take the follow- + ing oaths or obligations, and shall _satisfactorily_ + answer the following interrogatories, while kneel- + + [Header: _Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui._ 19] + + ing, with his right hand raised to heaven, and + his left hand resting on the Bible: + + PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION. + + "I ---- solemnly swear or affirm that I will + never reveal any thing that I may this day (or + night) learn concerning the Order of the * * *, + and that I will true answer make to such interrog- + atories as may be put to me touching my com- + petency for admission into the same. So help + me God." + + INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED: + + 1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon appli- + cation for membership in the * * *, or have you + ever been expelled from the same? + + 2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a + member of the Radical Republican party, or + either of the organizations known as the "Loyal + League" and the "Grand Army of the Re- + public?". + + 3d. Are you opposed to the principles and + policy of the Radical party, and to the Loyal + League, and the Grand Army of the Republic, + so far as you are informed of the character and + purposes of those organizations? + + 4th. Did you belong to the Federal army + during the late war, and fight against the South + during the existence of the same? + + 5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both + social and political? + + 6th. Are you in favor of a white man's gov- + ernment in this country? + + [Header: _Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare._ 20] + + 7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty, + and a Government of equitable laws instead of a + Government of violence and oppression? + + 8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Con- + stitutional rights of the South? + + 9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchise- + ment and emancipation of the white men of + the South, and the restitution of the Southern + people to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil, + and political? + + 10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right + of self-preservation of the people against the ex- + ercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power? + + If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfacto- + rily answered, and the candidate desires to go + further (after something of the character and na- + ture of the Order has thus been indicated to him) + and to be admitted to the benefits, mysteries, + secrets and purposes of the Order, he shall then + be required to take the following final oath or + obligation. But if said interrogatories are not + satisfactorily answered, or the candidate declines + to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after + being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi- + cer of the deep secresy to which the oath already + taken has bound him, and that the extreme pen- + alty of the law will follow a violation of the same. + + FINAL OBLIGATION. + + "I ---- of my own free will and accord, + and in the presence of Almighty God, do sol- + emnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to + + [Header: _Deo adjuvante, non timendum._ 21] + + any one not a member of the Order of the * * *, + by any intimation, sign, symbol, word or act, or + in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets, + signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order + of the * * *, or that I am a member of the same, + or that I know any one who _is_ a member; and + that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of + the Order of the * * * So help me God." + + The initiating officer will then proceed to ex- + plain to the new members the character and ob- + jects of the Order, and introduce him to the mys- + teries and secrets of the same; and shall read to + him this Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or + present the same to him for personal perusal. + + ARTICLE VIII. + + AMENDMENTS. + + This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof + shall never be changed, except by a two-thirds + vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in + convention assembled, and at which convention + the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled + to a vote. And upon the application of a ma- + jority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the + Grand Wizard shall call and appoint the time + and place for said convention; which, when as- + sembled, shall proceed to make such modifica- + tions and amendments as it may think will + promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and + more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the + Order. + + [Header: _Spectemus agendo._ 22] + + ARTICLE IX. + + INTERDICTION. + + The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order + shall never be written, but the same shall be + communicated orally. + + ARTICLE X. + + EDICTS. + + 1. No one shall become a member of a distant + Den, when there is a Den established and in ope- + ration in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall + any one become a member of any Den, or of this + Order in any way after he shall have been once + rejected, upon application for membership. + + 2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members + thereof, shall operate beyond their prescribed + limits, unless invited or ordered by the proper + authority so to do. + + 3. No member shall be allowed to take any + intoxicating spirits to any meeting of the Den; + nor shall any member be allowed to attend a + meeting while intoxicated; and for every ap- + pearance at a meeting in such condition, he shall + be fined the sum of not less than one nor more + than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the + Order. + + 4. Any member may be expelled from the + Order by a majority vote of the Officers and + Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if + after such expulsion, such member shall assume + any of the duties, regalia, or insignia of the Or- + + [Header: _Nemo nos impune lacissit._ 23] + + der, or in any way claim to be a member of the + same, he shall be severely punished. His obli- + gation of secrecy shall be as binding upon him + after expulsion as before, and for any revelation + made by him thereafter, he shall be held ac- + countable in the same manner as if he were then + a member. + + 5. Upon the expulsion of any member from + the Order, the Grand Cyclops, or the officer act- + ing in his stead, shall immediately report the + same to the Grand Giant of the Province, who + shall cause the fact to be made known and read + in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit + the same, through the proper channels, to the + Grand Dragon of the Realm, who shall cause it + to be published to every Den in his Realm, and + shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous + Realms of the same. + + 6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause + to be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to his + Den, at least once in every month; and shall read + them to each new member when he is initiated, + or present the same to him for personal perusal. + + 7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one + dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated + and received into the Order. + + 8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for + their control and government as they may deem + requisite and necessary. _Provided_, no Edict + shall be made to conflict with any of the provi- + sions or Edicts of this Prescript. + + [Header: _Ad unum omnes._ 24] + + 9. The most profound and rigid secrecy con- + cerning any and everything that relates to the + Order, shall at all times be maintained. + + 10. Any member who shall reveal or betray + the secrets of this Order, shall suffer the extreme + penalty of the law. + + ADMONITION. + + Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, be- + think thee! it was our covenant! + + REGISTER. + + I. + + 1. Dismal, 7. Painful, + 2. Mystic, 8. Portentous, + 3. Stormy, 9. Fading, + 4. Peculiar, 10. Melancholy, + 5. Blooming, 11. Glorious, + 6. Brilliant, 12. Gloomy. + + II. + + I. White, II. Green, III. Yellow, IV. Amber, + V. Purple, VI. Crimson, VII. Emerald. + + III. + + 1. Fearful, 7. Hideous, + 2. Startling, 8. Frightful, + 3. Wonderful, 9. Awful, + 4. Alarming, 10. Horrible, + 5. Mournful, 11. Dreadful, + 6. Appalling, 12. Last. + + IV. + + Cumberland. + + L'ENVOI. + + To the lovers of law and order, peace and jus- + tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of the + venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the + Order of the * * * + + _Resurgamus._ + + + + +APPENDIX III. + +CONSTITUTION OF A LOCAL +ORDER MODELED UPON +KU KLUX KLAN + +Used in South Carolina and in North Carolina + +From The Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony + + +CONSTITUTION + + +ARTICLE I. + +This organization shall be known as the ---- Order, No. --, of the Ku +Klux Klan of the State of South Carolina. + + +ARTICLE II. + +The officers shall consist of a cyclops and a scribe, both of whom +shall be elected by a majority vote of the order, and to hold their +office during good behavior. + + +ARTICLE III. + +SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the C. to preside in the order, +enforce a due observance of the constitution and by-laws, and an exact +compliance to the rules and usages of the order; to see that all the +members perform their respective duties; to appoint all committees +before the order; inspect the arms and dress of each member on +special occasions; to call meetings when necessary; draw upon members +for all sums needed to carry on the order. + +SEC. 2. The S. shall keep a record of the proceedings of the order; +write communications; notify other Klans when their assistance is +needed; give notice when any member has to suffer the penalty for +violating his oath; see that all books, papers or other property +belonging to his office, are placed beyond the reach of any one not a +member of the order. He shall perform such other duties as may be +required of him by the C. + + +ARTICLE IV. + +SECTION 1. No person shall be initiated into this order under eighteen +years of age. + +SEC. 2. No person of color shall be admitted into this order. + +SEC. 3. No person shall be admitted into this order who does not +sustain a good moral character, and who is in any way incapacitated to +perform the duties of a Ku Klux. + +SEC. 4. The name of a person proposed for membership must be proposed +by the committee appointed by the chief, verbally, stating age, +residence, and occupation; state if he was a soldier in the late war, +his rank, whether in the Federal or Confederate service, and his +command. + +ARTICLE V. + +SECTION 1. Any member who shall offend against these articles, or the +by-laws shall be subject to be fined and reprimanded by the C., as +two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting may +determine. + +SEC. 2. Every member shall be entitled to a fair trial for any offense +involving reprimand or criminal punishment. + + +BY-LAWS + +ARTICLE I. + +SECTION 1. This order shall meet at ----. + +SEC. 2. Five members shall constitute a quorum, provided the C. or S. +be present. + +SEC. 3. The C. shall have power to appoint such members of the order +to attend the sick, the needy, and those distressed, and those +suffering from radical misrule, as the case may require. + +SEC. 4. No person shall be appointed on a committee unless the person +is present at the time of appointment. Members of committees +neglecting to report shall be fined 30 cents. + + +ARTICLE II. + +SECTION 1. Every member, on being admitted, shall sign the +constitution and by-laws and pay the initiation fee. + +SEC. 2. A brother of the Klan wishing to become a member of this +order, who shall present his application with the proper papers of +transfer from the order of which he was a member formerly, shall be +admitted to the order only by a unanimous vote of the members present. + + +ARTICLE III. + +SECTION 1. The initiation fee shall be ----. + + +ARTICLE IV. + +SECTION 1. Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his fine or +dues shall be dealt with as the chief thinks proper. + +SEC. 2. Sickness or absence from the country or being engaged in any +important business shall be a valid excuse for any neglect of duty. + + +ARTICLE V. + +SECTION 1. Each member shall provide himself with a pistol, Ku Klux +gown and signal instruments. + +SEC. 2. When charges have been preferred against a member in proper +manner, or any matters of grievance between brother Ku Klux are +brought before the order, they shall be referred to a committee of +three or more members, who shall examine the parties and determine the +matters in question, reporting their decision to the order. If the +parties interested desire, two-thirds of the members present voting in +favor of the report, it shall be carried. + + +ARTICLE VI. + +SECTION 1. It is the duty of every member who has evidence that +another has violated Article II. to prefer the charges and specify the +offense to the order. + +SEC. 2. The charge for violating Article II. shall be referred to a +committee of five or more members, who shall as soon as practicable, +summon the parties and investigate the matter. + +SEC. 3. If the committee agree that the charges are sustained, that +the member on trial has intentionally violated his oath, or Article +II., they shall report the fact to the order. + +SEC. 4. If the committee agree that the charges are not sustained, +that the member is not guilty of violating his oath or Article II., +they shall report to that effect to the order and the charges shall be +dismissed. + +SEC. 5. When the committee report that the charges are sustained, and +the unanimous vote of the members is given thereof, the offending +person shall be sentenced to death by the chief. + +SEC. 6. The person, through the cyclops of the order of which he is a +member, can make application for pardon to the Great Grand Cyclops of +Nashville, Tennessee, in which case execution of the sentence can be +stayed until pardoning power is heard from. + + +ARTICLE VII. + +SECTION 1. Any member who shall betray or divulge any of the matters +of the order shall suffer death. + + +ARTICLE VIII. + +SECTION 1. The following shall be the rules of any order to any matter +herein not provided for; shall be managed in strict accordance with +the Ku Klux rules. + +SEC. 2. When the chief takes his position on the right, the scribe, +with the members forming a half-circle around them, and at the sound +of the signal instrument there shall be profound silence. + +SEC. 3. Before proceeding to business, the scribe shall call the roll +and note the absentees. + +SEC. 4. Business shall be taken up in the following order: + +1. Reading the minutes. + +2. Excuse of members at preceding meeting. + +3. Report of committee of candidates for membership. + +4. Collection of dues. + +5. Are any of the order sick or suffering? + +6. Report of committees. + +7. New business. + + + + +APPENDIX IV. + +KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS +AND OATHS + + +KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS, OATHS. + + + KU KLUX KLAN. + + ALERT! + + (Crossed muskets) + (and pistol.) (Spade ax ax.) + + ALERT! ALERT! + + T T T T T T T T T T T + +The B. G. C. of the K. K. K. is in town. You who know the signal of +his presence and have seen it be on the _alert_. You who do not--to a +brother--_mark the nail of the finger and the_ (?) must be organized +in the future. _Traitors_ to their race _will not always flemish like +the bay. Dimity marks them. Look out. And meet at the cave where the +Greased Lightning Slumbers._ + + By order of the + B. G. C. + In Pro., Per. + + D. W. S. + Forerunner.[57] + +KU KLUX. + + Serpent's Den--Death's Retreat + Hollow Tomb--Misery Cave of the + Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000. + Windy Month--Bloody Moon, + Muddy Night--Twelfth Hour. + +_General Orders No. 1._ + +Make ready! Make ready! Make ready! + +The mighty hobgoblins of the Confederate dead in Hell-a-Bulloo +assembled! + +Revenge, Revenge! + +Be secret, be cautious, be terrible! + +By special grant, Hell freezes over for your passage. Offended ghosts, +put on your skates, and cross over to mother earth! + + Work! Work!! Work!!! + Double, double, toil and trouble; + Fire burn and cauldron bubble. + +Ye white men who stick to black, soulless beasts! the time arrives for +you to part. Q. W. X. W. V. U., and so, from Omega to Alpha. + + Cool it with a baboon's blood + Then the charm is firm and good. + +Ye niggers who stick to low whites! + +Begone, Begone, Begone! The world turns around--the thirteenth hour +approacheth. + +S. one, two, and three--beware! White and yellow. + +J. and T---- P---- and L---- begone.--The handwriting on the wall +warns you! + + From the murderer's gibbet, throw + Into the flame. Come high and low. + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K. + + +KU KLUX. + + Hell-a-Bulloo Hole--Den of Skulls. + Bloody Bones--Headquarters of the + Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000. + Windy Month--New Moon. + Cloudy Night--Thirteenth Hour. + + +_General Orders No. 2._ + + The great chief Simulacre summons you! + Be ready! Crawl slowly! Strike hard! + Fire around the pot! + Sweltered venom, sleeping got + Boil thou first i' the charmed pot! + Like a hell-broth boil and bubble! + The Great High Priest Cyclops! C. J. F. Y. + Varnish, Tar and Turpentine! + The fifth Ghost sounds his Trumpet! + The mighty Genii wants two black wethers! + Make them, make them, make them! Presto! + The Great Giantess must have a white barrow. + Make him, make him, make him! Presto! + +Meet at once--the den of Snakes--the Giants jungle--the hole of Hell! + +The second Hobgoblin will be there, a mighty Ghost of valor! His eyes +of fire, his voice of thunder! Clean the streets--clean the serpents' +dens. + +Red hot pincers! Bastinado!! Cut Clean!!! No more to be born. Fire and +brimstone. + +Leave us, leave us, leave us! One, two, three tonight! Others soon! + +Hell freezes! On with skates--glide on. Twenty from Atlanta. Call the +roll. _Bene dicite!_ The Great Ogre orders it! + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K. + + +KU KLUX. + + Hollow Hell, Devil's Den, Horrible + Shadows. Ghostly Sepulchre. + Head Quarters of the Immortal Ate + of the K. K. K. Gloomy month. Bloody + Moon. Black Night, Last Hour. + +_General Orders No. 3._ + +Shadowed Brotherhood! Murdered heroes! + +Fling the bloody dirt that covers you to the four winds! Erect thy +Goddess on the banks of the Avernus. Mark well your foes! Strike with +the red hot spear! Prepare Charon for his task! + +Enemies reform! The skies shall be blackened! A single Star shall look +down upon horrible deeds! The night owl shall hoot a requiem o'er +Ghostly Corpses! + +Beware! Beware! Beware! + +The Great Cyclops is angry! Hobgoblins report! Shears and lash! Tar +and Feathers! Hell and Fury! + +Revenge! Revenge! Revenge! + +Bad men! white, black, yellow, repent! + +The hour is at hand! Be ye ready! Life is short. J. H. S. Y. W.!!! + +Ghosts! Ghosts!! Ghosts!!! + +Drink thy tea made of distilled hell, stirred with the lightning of +heaven, and sweetened with the gall of thine enemies! + +All will be well!!! + + By order of the Great + BLUFUSTIN. + G. S. K. K. K. + +A true copy, + Peterloo. + P. S. K. K. K.[58] + +[Illustration: + + Prospective scene in the "City of Oaks," 4th of March, 1868. + + + "Hang, curs, hang! * * * * * _Their_ complexion is + perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to _their_ + hanging! * * * * * If they be not born to be hanged, + our case is miserable." + + The above cut represents the fate in store for those great pests + of Southern society--the carpet-bagger and scallawag--if found + in Dixie's Land after the break of day on the 4th of March next. + + The genus carpet-bagger is a man with a lank head of dry hair, a + lank stomach and long legs, club knees and splay feet, dried + legs and lank jaws with eyes like a fish and mouth like a shark. + Add to this a habit of sneaking and dodging about in unknown + places--habiting with negroes in dark dens and back streets--a + look like a hound and the smell of a polecat. + + Words are wanting to do full justice to the genus scallawag. He + is a cur with a contracted head, downward look, slinking and + uneasy gait; sleeps in the woods, like old Crossland, at the + bare idea of a Ku-Klux raid. + + Our scallawag is the local leper of the community. Unlike the + carpet-bagger, he is native, which is so much the worse. Once he + was respected in his circle; his head was level, and he would + look his neighbor in the face. Now, possessed of the itch of + office and the salt rheum of Radicalism, he is a mangy dog, + slinking through the alleys, haunting the Governor's office, + defiling with tobacco juice the steps of the Capitol, stretching + his lazy carcass in the sun on the Square, or the benches of the + Mayor's Court. + + He waiteth for the troubling of the political waters, to the end + that he may step in and be healed of the itch by the ointment of + office. For office he 'bums' as a toper 'bums' for the + satisfying dram. For office, yet in prospective, he hath + bartered respectability; hath abandoned business, and ceased to + labor with his hands, but employs his feet kicking out + boot-heels against lamp post and corner curb, while discussing + the question of office + +THE FATE OF THE CARPETBAGGER AND THE SCALAWAG + +Cartoon by Ryland Randolph in _Independent Monitor_, September 1, +1868.] + + +TO THE PUBLIC + +K. K. K. + +TAKEN BY HABEAS CORPUS. + +In silence and secrecy thought has been working, and the benignant +efficacies of concealment speak for themselves. Once again have we +been forced by force to use _Force_. Justice was lame, and she had to +lean upon us. Information being obtained that a "doubting Thomas," the +inferior of nothing, the superior of nothing, and of consequence the +equal of nothing, who has neither eyes to see the scars of oppression, +nor ears to hear the cause of humanity, even though he wears the +Judicial silk, had ordered some guilty prisoners from Union to the +City of Columbia, and of injustice and prejudice, for an _unfair trial +of life_; thus clutching at the wheel-spokes of destiny--then this +thing was created and projected; otherwise it would never have been. +We yield to the inevitable and inexorable, and account this the +_best_. "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth," is our +motto. + +We want peace, but this cannot be till justice returns. We want and +will have justice, but this cannot be till the bleeding fight of +freedom is fought. Until then the Moloch of Iniquity will have his +victims, even if the Michael of Justice must have his martyrs. + + K. K. K.[59] + + +ANOTHER KU KLUX PROCLAMATION.[60] + +The following document was discovered on yesterday morning posted on +the "legal advertisement" board hanging at the court-house door. We +have examined the original and find it is in the same handwriting as +the one left with the jailer on the night of the late raid on the +jail: + +HEADQUARTERS K. K. K, DEPARTMENT OF S. C., + +_General Orders No. 49._ + +_From the G. G. C., S. S._ + +We delight not in speech, but there is language which, when meant in +earnest, becomes desperate. We raise the voice of warning, beware! +beware! Persons there are, (_and not unknown to us_,) who, to gratify +some private grudge or selfish end, like Wheeler's men, so called, are +executing their low, paltry, and pitiful designs at the expense, not +only of the noble creed we profess and act, but also to the great +trouble and annoyance of their neighbors in various communities. We +stay our hand for once; but if such conduct is frightening away +laborers, robbery, and connivance at the secrets of our organization +is repeated, then the mockers _must_ suffer and the traitors meet +their merited doom. We dare not promise what we do not perform. We +want no substitutes or conscripts in our ranks. We can be as generous +as we are terrible; but, _stand back_. We've said it, and there can be +no interference. + + By order of the Grand Chief, + A.O., + _Grand Secretary._ + + +KU KLUX MANIFESTO.[61] + +Below we publish a document which we received through the postoffice +on Monday last, it having been dropped into the letter box the +previous night, as we are informed by the postmaster. As to whether or +not the paper is genuine, and emanates from the mysterious Ku Klux +Klan, we have no means of knowing, as the handwriting is evidently +disguised. Although it is our rule to decline the publication of all +anonymous communications, we have decided to waive the rule in this +instance, and print the document for what it is worth. Here it is in +full: + + +EXTRACT OF MINUTES. + +ARTICLE 1. Whereas there are malicious and evil disposed persons, who +endeavor to perpetrate their malice, serve notices, and make threats +under the cover of our august name, now we warn all such bogus +organizations that we will not allow of any interference. Stop it. + +ARTICLE 2. There shall be no interference with any honest, decent, +well-behaved person, whether white or black; and we cordially invite +all such to continue at their appropriate labor, and they shall be +protected therein by the whole power of this organization. But we do +intend that the honest, intelligent white people (the tax payers) of +this county shall rule it! We can no longer put up with negro rule, +black bayonets, and a miserably degraded, thievish set of lawmakers, +(God save the mark!) the scum of the earth, the scrapings of creation. +We are pledged to stop it; we are determined to end it, even if we are +"forced by force to use force." + +ARTICLE 3. Our attention having been called to the letter of one Rose, +county treasurer of York, we brand it as a lie! Our lieutenant was +ordered to arrest him, that he might be tried on alleged charges of +incendiarism, (and if convicted he will be executed). But there were +no shots fired at him and no money stolen; that is not in our line, +the legislature of the State of South Carolina have a monopoly in that +line. + + By command of the Chief. + Official: K. K. K., A. A. G. + + +K. K. K.[62] + +HEADQUARTERS; NINTH DIVISION, S.C., + +_Special Orders No. 3, K. K. K._ + +"Ignorance is the curse of God." For this reason we are determined +that the members of the legislature, the school commissioners, and the +county commissioners of Union, shall no longer officiate. Fifteen (15) +days' notice from this date is therefore given and if they, _one and +all_, do not _at once and forever resign_ their present inhuman, +disgraceful, and outrageous rule, then retributive justice will as +surely be used as night follows day. + +Also, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." For this reason, if +the clerk of the said board of county commissioners and school +commissioners does not _immediately_ renounce and relinquish his +present position, then harsher measures than these will most assuredly +and _certainly_ be used. + +For confirmation, reference to the orders heretofore published in the +_Union Weekly Times_ and _Yorkville Enquirer_ will more fully and +completely show our intention. + + A.O., + _Grand Secretary._ + +March 9, 1871. + +[Illustration: + + "Dam Your Soul. The Horrible _Sepulchre_ and Bloody Moon has at + last arrived. Some live to-day to-morrow "_Die._" We the + undersigned understand through our Grand "_Cyclops_" that you + have recommended a big Black Nigger for Male agent on our nu + rode; wel, sir, Jest you understand in time if he gets on the + rode you can make up your mind to pull roape. If you have any + thing to say in regard to the Matter, meet the Grand Cyclops and + Conclave at Den No. 4 at 12 o'clock midnight, Oct. 1st, 1871. + + "When you are in Calera we warn you to hold your tounge and not + speak so much with your mouth or otherwise you will be taken on + supprise and led out by the Klan and learnt to stretch hemp. + Beware. Beware. Beware. Beware. + + (Signed) "PHILLIP ISENBAUM, + "_Grand Cyclops_. + "JOHN BANKSTOWN. + "ESAU DAVES. + "MARCUS THOMAS. + "BLOODY BONES. + +"You know who. And all others of the Klan." + +WARNING SENT BY THE KLAN + +From Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony.] + + +THE OATH.[63] + +I, before the great immaculate God of heaven and earth, do take and +subscribe to the following sacred binding oath and obligation: I +promise and swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of +the United States as it was handed down by our forefathers in its +original purity. I promise and swear that I will reject and oppose the +principles of the radical party in all its forms, and forever maintain +and contend that intelligent white men shall govern this country. I +promise and pledge myself to assist, according to my pecuniary +circumstances, all brothers in distress. Females, widows, and their +households shall ever be specially in my care and protection. I +promise and swear that I will obey all instructions given me by my +chief, and should I ever divulge or cause to be divulged any secrets, +signs or pass-words of the Invisible Empire, I must meet with the +fearful and just penalty of the traitor, which is death, death, death, +at the hands of my brethren.[64] + + * * * * * + +I, T. A. Hope, before the Great Immaculate Judges of Heaven and Earth, +and upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, do, of my own free will +and accord, subscribe to the following sacred, binding obligation: + +I. I am on the side of justice and humanity, and constitutional +liberty as bequeathed to us by our forefathers in its original purity. + +II. I reject and oppose the principles of the radical party. + +III. I pledge aid to a brother of the Ku Klux Klan in sickness, +distress, or pecuniary embarrassments; females, friends, and widows, +and their households shall be the special object of my care and +devoted protection. + +IV. Should I ever divulge, or cause to be divulged, any of the secrets +of this order, or any of the foregoing obligations, I must meet with +the fearful punishment of death and traitor's doom, which is death, +death, death, at the hands of the brethren.[65] + + * * * * * + +I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Invisible +Circle; that I will defend our families, our wives, our children, and +brethren; that I will assist a brother in distress to the best of my +ability; that I will never reveal the secrets of this order or +anything in regard to it that may come to my knowledge, and if I do +may I meet a traitor's doom, which is death, death, death: so help me +God, and so punish me my brethren.[66] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[57] Montgomery Mail, March 23, 1868. + +[58] This and the two preceding orders were written by Ryland Randolph +and printed in his paper _The Independent Monitor_, of Tuscaloosa, +Alabama. + +[59] From the _Weekly Union Times_ of Unionville, S.C., February 17, +1871; South Carolina Testimony, pp. 1003, 1092. The negro militia of +South Carolina had killed a man who refused to sell whisky to them. +Several were arrested and imprisoned. A radical judge named Thomas, in +Columbia, 60 or 70 miles away and out of the district where the crime +was committed, directed that the prisoners be removed to Columbia for +trial. The whites believed that this was done as the first step toward +releasing the criminals. A mob came in, took the men from jail, shot +them and gave to the sheriff the above notice with instructions to +have it published in the newspapers. + +[60] Weekly Union Times, Unionville, S.C., February 24, 1871; Ku Klux +Report, South Carolina Testimony, p. 1004. The Ku Klux Klan had many +imitators, and lawless conduct was often carried on under the +protection of the name and prestige of the Klan. The above warning was +meant for those who had been using the name of the order to cloak evil +deeds. + +[61] _Yorkville Enquirer_, Yorkville, S.C., March 9, 1871; South +Carolina Testimony, p. 1347. Another warning to those engaged in +lawlessness and using the name of the Klan. + +[62] _Union Weekly Times_, March 17, 1871; South Carolina Testimony, +p. 1096. This order illustrates one method of getting rid of obnoxious +officials. + +[63] The oath of Ku Klux Klan was not printed. The three versions here +given were given from memory. The similarity is marked, however. + +[64] Ku Klux Report. North Carolina Testimony. Court Proceedings, p. +422. + +[65] Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony, pp. 399, 400. + +[66] South Carolina Testimony, p. 361. + + + + +INDEX + + +A. + +Abernathy, Dr. C.C., a member of the Klan, 21 + +Admission of members, 147, 170 + +Admonition, 176 + +Alabama, Costumes worn in, 43, 58, 97; + investigation in, 43; + Klan extends to, 70 + +Amendment of Prescript, 147, 173 + +"American Historical Magazine," cited, 39 + +Anderson, Gen. G.T., a member of the Klan, 27 + +Appellation Official, of the Order, 136, 154 + +"Appomattox Program," not carried out, 33 + + +B. + +Badges worn by high officials, 59 + (See also outside cover.) + +Beati Paoli, 25 + +Black Belt, Ku Klux Klan mainly outside of, 23 + +Bowers, Dr. James, a member, 21 + +Brown, Gen. John C., a member, 26 + +Brown, W.G., "The Lower South," cited, 18 + +Brownlow, W.G., Governor of Tennessee, 1865-1868, 125; + his militia a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 29; + proclaims martial law, 128; + has "Force Laws" passed, 113; + his detective drowned by the Klan, 67 + +Brownlow Republicans in Ku Klux disguise, 105 + +Burgess, J.W., "Reconstruction and the Constitution," cited, 113 + + +C. + +Carbonari, 25 + +Carpetbag and negro legislators pass "Force Laws", 113 + +Carpetbag rule a cause of the Ku Klux Movement,. 29, 31, 32, 35 + +Carter, Dr. Benjamin, a member, 61 + +Cartoon from the "Independent Monitor," 42, 192; + from the "Loil Legislature", 43, 113 + +Causes of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 28, 31, 50, 75-81 + (See also Ku Klux Klan.) + +Centaurs, Grand Council of, 144 + +"Century Magazine," cited, 53, 84 + +Certificate of Laps D. McCord, 38 + +"Cincinnati Commercial," prints the Randolph cartoons, 43, 192 + +"Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," by W.L. Fleming, + cited, 49, 79, 113 + +Character and objects of Ku Klux Klan, 155 + +Clanton, Gen. James H., 33 + +Cloud, Dr. N.B., driven from Tuscaloosa by the Klan, 42; + see cartoon facing page, 192 + +Colquitt, Gen. A.H. Colquitt, a member, 27 + +Conditions in the South, 75, 76 + +Confederates disfranchised, 88 + +Confreries, 25 + +Congress investigates Ku Klux Klan, 27, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131; + passes "Force Laws", 113 + +Constitutions, see Prescript. + +Constitutional Union Guards, 18 + +Convention of Ku Klux Klan, 36, 37, 84, 133 + +Coon and Sibley, carpetbaggers, cartoon of, 43, and facing, 113 + +Costumes worn in the Klan, 43, 58, 59, 97 + +Council of Centaurs, 144; of Yahoos, 144 + +Cox, S.S., "Three Decades," quotation from. 11 + +Crawford, F.M., a member, 21 + +Creed of the Klan, 136, 154 + +Crowe, Major James R., one of the founders of the Klan, 19; + first Grand Turk, 21; + statement in regard to origin of the Pulaski Den, 22; + one of committee to prepare a constitution and a ritual, 54 + +Cutler, "Lynch Law," cited, 15 + +Cyclops, Grand, an official of the Klan, 57; + ruler of a Den, 86; + duties, 140, 161; + election of, 143; + appointment of, 160; + in a local order, 179 + +Cypher Code, 148, 176 + (See also Register.) + + +D. + +Decline of the Klan, 100-127; + causes of, 103 + +Dedication of Prescript, 150, 176 + +Den, the lowest division of the Order, 85, 136, 157; + at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19-21, 53 + +Disbandment of the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130 + +Divisions of the Invisible Empire of Ku Klux Klan, 156 + +"Documents Relating to Reconstruction," cited, 18, 79 + +Dominions or Congressional Districts, 85, 136, 156 + +Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon, 147 + +Dragon, Grand, ruler of a Realm, 86; + duties, 138, 158; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 157 + +Duties of officials, 136-143, 157-165 + + +E. + +Edicts, or By-laws of the Order, 148, 174 + +Empire, The, 136, 156 + +Ensign, Grand, duties, 143 + +Ensign or banner of the Ku Klux Klan, 147 + +Exchequer, Grand, or treasurer, 57, 86; + duties, 142, 163; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 157-161 + +Expansion of the Klan's territory, 68-82, 156 + +Expulsion of members, 149, 174 + + +F. + +Fleming, W.L., "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," + cited, 49, 79, 113 + +Flying Dragon, 147 + +"Force Laws," effect on Klan, 125, 126 + +Forrest, Gen. Nathan Bedford, Grand Wizard, 26, 27, 28; + testimony before Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 28-30, 80; + his estimate of the number of members, 95; + his opinion of the character of members, 65; + belongs to the order of Pale Faces, 30; + disbands the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130 + +Founders of the Klan, 19 + +Furies, the staff of the Grand Titan, 86, 136, 156, 159, 164 + +Fussell, Col. Joseph, a member, 27 + + +G. + +Garner, J.W., "Reconstruction in Mississippi," cited, 49 + +Garrett, Dr. W.R., makes plates used on pages 153-176 40 + +Genii, the staff of the Grand Wizard, 85, 136, 155, 157 164 + +Georgia, candidates in Georgia, 31 + +Ghouls, private members, 136, 156; + elect officials 143, 165 + +Giant, Grand, ruler of a Province, duties, 139, 160; + how elected, 143; + appointed 159 + +Giles County, Tennessee 50 + +Goblins, 136, 156, 160, 164 + +Gordon, Gen. John B., 26, 27, 33; + testimony before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 30-33, 80, 105 + +Grand Army of the Republic 171 + +Grant, Gen. U.S., magnanimity of, 33 + + +H. + +Hanging picture, cartoon by Ryland Randolph, 42, 192; + republished in the North 192 + +Hardee, Gen. W.J., a member, 26 + +"Histoire Generale," by Lavisse & Rambaud, cited 25 + +Huntsville, Alabama, parade of Klan in, 44 + +Hydras, the staff of the Grand Dragon, 86, 136, 156, 158 164 + + +I. + +"Independent Monitor," cited 26, 41, 192 + +Initiations into the Pulaski Den, 60, 63, 64 + +Interrogations to be asked candidates for admission, 171 + +Investigation of Ku Klux Klan, by Congress, 26, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131; + by Alabama, 43 + +Invisible Circle 198 + +Invisible Empire, 47, 85, 101 + + +J. + +Jones, Calvin, one of the founders, 20, 21; + on committee to choose a name for the order, 53; + Charles P., a member, 21; + Miss Cora R., daughter of Charles P., and niece of Calvin, article + in "Advance," cited, 61, 92; + Judge Thomas M., father of Calvin and Charles P., 20, 53 + +Judiciary of the Klan, 27, 144, 166 + + +K. + +Kennedy, John, one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 21; + on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54 + +Kirk, John H., aided in printing the Prescript, 38 + +Klephts, 25 + +Knights of the White Camelia, 18, 23 + +Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 27 + +Ku Klux Klan, causes of, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 47-67, 75-81; + founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19, 21, 51, 53; + headquarters at Pulaski, 51; + initiations at Pulaski, 61-64; + original object, 59; + selection of name, 22, 53, 55; + costumes worn, 43, 58, 59, 97; + expansion, 68-82; + transformation, 71, 83-99; + reorganized, 84-99; + territorial extent, 23, 24, 85, 136, 156; + Prescripts, 37, 39, 133-150, 151-176; + officers and their duties, 85-86, 136; + oaths and obligations, 171, 172, 197, 198; + parades, 44, 91; + character and objects, 28, 31, 109-111, 155, 171-172; + creed, 136, 154; + declaration of principles, 87; + edicts, 148, 174; + admission of members, 147, 170; + character and conduct of members, 30, 34, 101, 102; + numbers, 30, 95; + secrets, 48, 148, 174; + revenue, 145, 168; + judiciary, 27, 144, 166; + convention at Nashville, 36, 37; + methods, 71-75, 91, 96-99, 183-196; + orders and warnings, 40, 130, 187-198; + disciplines its members, 106; outrages, 131; + decline and disbandment, 35, 100-127, 128-130; + regalia destroyed, 129; + investigation by Congress, 27, 28, 30, 43, 47, 48, 49, 131; + effect of "force laws;" popular idea of the Klan, 49; + results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35, 73, 80, 81; + other secret orders, 18 + +Ku Klux Klan, Lester and Wilson's History of, 15-19, 35, 37, 47 + +Ku Klux Movement, 25 + +Ku Klux Report, cited, 18, 27, 28, 33, 49, 52, 65, 80, 196, 197, 198 + + +L. + +Lakin, Rev. A.S., president of University of Alabama, driven away by + the Klan, 42; + see cartoon, 192 + +Lavisse and Rambaud, "Histoire Generale," cited, 25 + +Lawton, Gen. A.R., a member, 27 + +Lester, Capt. J. C, one of the founders of the Klan and one of the + authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan, 15, 16, 17, 19; + on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54 + +Lictor, an official title, 57 + +"Loil Legislature," by Capt. B.H. Screws, cartoon from, 43, 113 + +"Lower South," by W.G. Brown, cited, 18 + +Loyal League, 79, 125, 171 + (See also Union League.) + +"Loyalty," meaning of, 125 + +"Lynch Law," by Cutler, cited, 15 + + +M. + +McCallum, James, a member, 21 + +McCoy, Capt. Thomas, a member, 21 + +McCord, Frank O., one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 37; + first Grand Cyclops, 21; + Laps D., prints the Prescripts, 38; + L.W., editor of the "Pulaski Citizen," a Ku Klux newspaper, 38 + +McKissick, Alex., a member, 21 + +Magi, Grand, 57; + duties, 141, 162; + how elected, 143, 165 + +Martial law proclaimed in Tennessee, 128 + +Masonic order, 25 + +Members, admission of, 102, 147, 170; + expulsion, 149, 174; + none ever arrested, 106 + +Methods employed by the Klan, 91, 96, 97, 187-196 + +Militia law of Tennessee, 124 + +Mississippi, Klan extends to, 70; + costumes worn in, 43, 58 + +Minnis, J.A., testimony, 80 + +Mitchell, Capt. Robert, a member, 21 + +Monk, Grand, 86; + duties, 141, 163; + how elected, 143, 165 + +"Montgomery Mail," cited, 189 + +Moore, John A., a member, 21 + +Morton, Capt. John W., a member, 21, 26; + initiates General Forrest, 27 + +Motto, on ensign, 147 + + +N. + +Name of the order, selection of, 53, 55; + influence of name on the career of the order, 55, 56, 136, 154 + +Nashville Convention of the Klan, 84, 89; + adopts Prescript, 33 + +Nashville Den drowns a detective, 67 + +Negro equality, Klan opposed to, 171 + +Negro members of the Klan, 26 + +Negro troops, conduct of, 32 + +Negroes, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 31, 32; + conduct of, 77; + frightened by Klan, 97-99 + +Nelson, J.L., a member, 21 + +Newspapers forbidden to print Ku Klux notices, 41, 130 + +Night Hawks, the staff of a Cyclops, 86, 136, 156, 161, 164 + +Nihilists, 25 + +North Carolina, a local order in, 177-186 + +Number of members, 30, 95 + + +O. + +Oaths and obligations, 146, 147, 171, 172, 197, 198 + +Officials of the Klan, duties, 85, 86; + how elected, 143, 165 + +Order issued by the Grand Dragon of Tennessee, 109-111 + +Orders and warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 41, 187-196 + +Origin of Ku Klux Klan, 47-67 + +Outrages attributed to the Klan, 105 + + +P. + +Pale Faces, 18; + Gen. Forrest a member of, 30 + +Parades of the Klan, 44, 91-95 + +Pearcy, Capt. J.L., a member, 21; + owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40 + +Penalty for betrayal of secrets, 149, 176 + +Pettus, Gen. Edmund W, 33, 80 + +Pike, Gen. Albert, chief judicial officer, 27 + +Principles of the Klan, 87, 88, 171, 182 + +Province, or county, 85, 136, 156 + +Pulaski, Tennessee, description of, 50; + conditions in 1865, 52; + Ku Klux Klan founded there, 16, 53; + Ku Klux parade, 91-95 + +Pulaski Den, origin and membership, 19-21, 53, 57, 61 + +Prescripts, 16, 30, 36, 87, 88; + original, adopted at Nashville Convention, 37, 40, 133-150; + Revised and Amended, 37, 38, 40, 151-176; + an imperfect copy used by a local order, 39, 177-186; + sold by Grand Wizard, 137, 145, 157, 169; + dedication, 150, 176; + Amendment, 147, 173; + Register, 148, 176 + +Purpose of the original Den, 22 + + +Q. + +Quotations, poetical, in original Prescript, 135; + Latin, in the Prescripts, _passim_, 133-176 + + +R. + +Radical Republican party, 171 + +Radicals in Ku Klux disguise, 105 + +Randolph, Ryland, 26, 40; + quoted, 99, 104; + author of orders and warnings, 41, 190-192; + publishes cartoon of Coon and Sibley, 43, 113 + +Realm, or state, 85, 136, 156 + +Reconstruction Acts, 71, 84 + +"Reconstruction of the Constitution," by J.W. Burgess, cited, 113 + +"Reconstruction in Mississippi," by J.W. Garner, cited, 49 + +Reed, Richard R., one of the founders, 20, 21; + on committee to choose a name for the order, 53 + +Regalia and records of Klan destroyed, 129 + +Register of the Prescript, 41, 148, 176 + +Regulators, 71, 73, 106 + +Results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35 + +Revenue of the Klan, 145, 168 + +Revised and Amended Prescript, 38, 151-176 + +Ritual of Pulaski Den, 54, 57 + +Rose, W.H., a member, 21 + + +S. + +Saunders, "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96 + +Scotch-Irish descent of the members of the Klan, 21, 23 + +Screws, Capt. B.H., "Loil Legislature," cartoon from, 43, 113 + +Scribe, of a local order, 179 + +Scribe, Grand, 86; + duties, 142, 164 + +Secrets of the Klan, 148, 174; + penalty for betrayal of, 149, 176 + +Sentinel, Grand, 86; + duties, 143, 164 + +Shapard, I.L. and Robt., members, 21, 38 + +Sibley and Coon, carpetbaggers, 43, 113 + +South Carolina, local order in, 177-186; + warnings sent by Klan in, 193-196 + +Southern Society of New York, owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40 + +Spofford, Judge H.M., residence used by Klan 54 + +Staff officers, 86, 164 + +State Guards of Tennessee, 123 + +Stubbs, Mrs. Elizabeth, in "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96 + + +T. + +Taxes levied in Klan, 145, 169 + +Tennessee, conditions in, 17, 29; + the Klan in 51, 70, 95; + Confederates disfranchised, 88; + State Guards, 123; Militia law, 124; + order of a Grand Dragon, 109-111; + Anti-Ku Klux law, 113-123 + +Term of office, 144, 165 + +Texas, Klan extends to, 70 + +"Three Decades," by S.S. Cox, quoted, 11 + +Titan, Grand, ruler of a Dominion, 86; + duties, 138, 159; + how elected, 143; + appointed, 158 + +Titles of officials, 136, 155 + +Tories, 24, 77 + +Tourgee, "Invisible Empire," cited, 18 + +Transformation of the Klan, 71, 83-99 + +Tribunal of Justice, 166 + +Tugenbund, 25 + +Turk, Grand, 57, 86; + duties, 142, 163; + office first held by Major J.R. Crowe, 21 + +Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Klan at, 42 + + +U. + +"Understanding of Appomattox," violated, 34 + +Union League, a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 29, 31, 79-81, 125 + +Unionists, 24, 26, 77 + +University of Alabama, 42 + + +V. + +Vehmgericht, 25 + +Voorheis, Milton, a member, 21 + + +W. + +Warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 43, 196 + +"Washington Post," cited, 67, 95 + +Waters, Dr. M.S., a member, 21 + +Webster's "Unabridged Pictorial," cited, 147 + +"Weekly Union Times," cited, 193, 194, 196 + +White Brotherhood, 18 + +White Camelia, 18 + +White League, 18 + +"White Man's Government", 171 + +Wilson, Rev. D.L., one of the authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan + 15, 16, 17, 19; + article in "Century Magazine" cited, 53, 84 + +Wizard, Grand, 85; + duties, 136, 157; + how elected, 143, 165, 166; + term of office, 144, 165; + disbands the Klan, 128-130 + + +Y. + +Yahoos, Grand Council of, 144 + +"Yorkville Enquirer," cited, 195 + +Young Italy, 25 + + + * * * * * + +Compiled versions of Appendix I and Appendix II + + * * * * * + + + +APPENDIX I. + + + PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + + ADOPTED AT A CONVENTION OF THE ORDER + HELD IN NASHVILLE, APRIL, 1867 + + Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page + for page. The type used here is slightly larger than + in the original document. + + + + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +* * + + What may this mean, + That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel, + Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon, + Making night hideous; and we fools of nature, + So horridly to shake our disposition, + With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? + + + An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin', + A certain _Ghoul_ is rantin', drinkin', + Some luckless night will send him linkin', + To your black pit; + But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin', + And cheat you yet. + + +CREED. + +We the * * reverently acknowledge the Majesty and Supremacy of the +Divine being, and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the Same. + +PREAMBLE. + +We recognize our relations to the United States Government and +acknowledge the supremacy of its laws. + +APPELLATION. + +ARTICLE I. This organization shall be styled and denominated the * * + +TITLES. + +ART. II. The officers of this * shall consist of a Grand Wizard of the +Empire and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight +Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies; a Grand +Giant of the Province and his four Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den +and his two Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand +Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand +Ensign. + +SEC. 2. The body politic of this * shall be designated and known as +"Ghouls." + +DIVISIONS. + +ART. III. This * shall be divided into five departments, all combined, +constituting the Grand * of the Empire. The second department to be +called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the Grand * of the +Dominion. The fourth, the Grand * of the Province. The fifth, the * of +the Den. + +DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + +GRAND WIZARD. + +ART. IV. SEC. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand Wizard, who is the +Supreme Officer of the Empire to communicate with and receive reports +from the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, strength, +efficiency and progress of the *s within their respective Realms. And +he shall communicate from time to time, to all subordinates *s, +through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength, efficiency, and +progress of the *s throughout his vast Empire; and such other +information as he may deem expedient to impart. And it shall further +be his duty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without any +caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons of the different +Realms of his Empire, and shall number such Realms with the Arabic +numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct his Grand +Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement which he shall make +of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have the +sole power to issue copies of this Prescript, through his Subalterns +and Deputies, for the organization and establishment of subordinate +*s. And he shall have the further power to appoint his Genii; also, a +Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint +and ordain Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the more +rapid and effectual dissemination and establishment of the * +throughout his Empire. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct +Deputies, to organize and control Realms, Dominions, Provinces, and +Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a +Grand Giant, and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter providded. +And when a question of paramount importance to the interest or +prosperity of the * arises, not provided for in this Prescript, he +shall have power to determine such question, and his decision shall be +final, until the same shall be provided for by amendment as +hereinafter provided. + +GRAND DRAGON. + +Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon who is the Chief +Officer of the Realm, to report to the Grand Wizard when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +* within his Realm, and to transmit through the Grand Titan to the +subordinate *s of his Realm, all information or intelligence conveyed +to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such other +information or instruction as he may think will promote the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +any caption) of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of his +Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard when required; +and shall number the Dominions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, +1, 2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand Exchequer as to +the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue of the * that comes +to his hands. He shall have the power to appoint his Hydras; also, a +Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint +and ordain Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the more +rapid and effectual dissemination and establishment of the * +throughout his Realm. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct +Deputies to organize and control Dominions, Provinces and Dens, until +the same shall elect a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, +in the manner hereinafter provided. + +GRAND TITAN. + +Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan who is the Chief +Officer of the Dominion, to report to the Grand Dragon when required +by that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of +the * within his Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giants to +the subordinate *s of his Dominion, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and all such +other information or instruction as he may think will enhance the +interests of the *. He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the +names (without caption) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and he shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct and +direct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have power to +appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand Scribe and a Grand +Exchequer for his department, and appoint and ordain Special Deputy +Grand Titans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his Dominion. He +shall have further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to organize +and control Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand +Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provided. + +GRAND GIANT. + +Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, who is the Chief +Officer of the Province, to supervise and administer general and +special instruction in the formation and establishment of *s within +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, progress and efficiency of the * +throughout his Province, and to transmit, through the Grand Cyclops, +to the subordinate *s of his Province, all information or intelligence +conveyed to him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such other +information and instruction as he may think will advance the interests +of the *. He shall keep by his G. Scribe a list of the names (without +caption) of the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Province, and +shall report the same to the Grand Titan when required; and shall +number the Dens of his Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, +&c., _ad finem._ And shall determine and limit the number of Dens to +be organized in his Province. And he shall instruct and direct his +Grand Exchequer as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall +make of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have +power to appoint his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand +Exchequer for his department, and to appoint and ordain Special Deputy +Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid and effectual +dissemination and establishment of the * throughout his Province. He +shall have the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies to +organize and control Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Cyclops +in the manner hereinafter provided. And in all cases, he shall preside +at and conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos. + +GRAND CYCLOPS. + +Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops to take charge of +the * of his Den after his election, under the direction and with the +assistance (when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance +with, and in conformity to the provisions of this Prescript, a copy of +which shall in all cases be obtained before the formation of a * +begins. It shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings +of his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregular meetings +when he deems it expedient, to preserve order in his Den, and to +impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders, and to +receive and initiate candidates for admission into the * after the +same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy come members by +the Investigating Committee. He shall make a quarterly report to the +Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and efficiency of the * of his +Den, and shall convey to the Ghouls of his Den, all information or +intelligence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that purpose, and +all other such information or instruction as he may think will conduce +to the interests and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and conduct +the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have power to appoint his +Night Hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and +his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and direct the Grand Exchequer +of his Den, as to what appropriation and disbursement he shall make of +the revenue of the * that comes to his hands. And for any small +offense he may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for +the same: And he may admonish and reprimand the * of his Den for any +imprudence, irregularity or transgression, when he is convinced or +advised that the interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it. + +GRAND MAGI. + +Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the Second +Officer, in Authority, of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops and to +obey all the proper orders of that officer. To preside at all meetings +in the Den in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to exercise during +his absence all the powers and authority conferred upon that officer. + +GRAND MONK. + +Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the third +officer, in authority, of the Den, to assist and obey all the proper +orders of the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence of +both of these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings +in the Den, and shall exercise all the powers and authority conferred +upon the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND EXCHEQUER. + +Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the different +Departments of the * to keep a correct account of all the revenue of +the * that shall come to their hands, and shall make no appropriation +or disbursement of the same except under the orders and direction of +the chief officer of their respective departments. And it shall +further be the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect the +initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND TURK. + +Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the Executive +Officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the ghouls of the Den of all +informal or irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops and to +obey and execute all the lawful orders of that officer in the control +and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to receive and +question at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into the *, +and shall _there_ administer the preliminary obligation required, and +then to conduct such candidate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at +his Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. And it shall +further be his duty to act as the executive officer of the Grand +Council of Centaurs. + +GRAND SCRIBE. + +Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the different +departments to conduct the correspondence and write the orders of the +chiefs of their departments, when required. And it shall further be +the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep a list of the names +(without caption) of the ghouls of the Den--to call the Roll at all +regular meetings and to make the quarterly report under the direction +of the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND SENTINEL. + +Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to detail, take +charge of, post and instruct the Grand Guard under the direction and +orders of the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when +directed by that officer. + +GRAND ENSIGN. + +Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign to take charge of +the Grand Banner of the *, to preserve it sacredly, and protect it +carefully, and to bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and +on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may direct it to be flung +to the night breeze. + +ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + +ART. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, the Grand Monk, and +the Grand Exchequer of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the +ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these officers may take +place as soon as seven ghouls have been initiated for that purpose. + +Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the Grand Dragons of Realms, +the Grand Titans of Dominions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, +shall be elected biennially, and in the following manner, to wit: The +Grand Wizard by a majority vote of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, +the Grand Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his Realm; the +Grand Titans by a like vote of the Grand Giants of his Dominion, and +the Grand Giant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Province. + +The first election for Grand Dragon may take place as soon as three +Dominions have been organized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections +shall be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, throughout the Realm, +and biennially as aforesaid. + +The first election for Grand Titan may take place as soon as three +Provinces have been organized in a Dominion, but all subsequent +elections shall be by a majority vote of all the Grand Giants +throughout the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid. + +The first election for Grand Giant may take place as soon as three +Dens have been organized in a Province, but all subsequent elections +shall be by a majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout the +Province, and biennially as aforesaid. + +The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby created, to serve three years +from the First Monday in May, 1867, after the expiration of which +time, biennial elections shall be held for that office as aforesaid. +And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons, at +least six months before said election, at what time and place the same +will be held. + +JUDICIARY. + +ART. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this * shall consist of a +Grand Council of Yahoos, and a Grand Council of Centaurs. + +Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of all elected officers, and shall be composed of officers of +equal rank with the accused, and shall be appointed and presided over +by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by him to administer +even handed justice. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, +shall be composed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and shall be +presided over and sworn by the senior Grand Dragon. They shall have +power to summon the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and if +found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the same. +And they shall have power to appoint an executive officer to attend +said Council while in session. + +Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be the Tribunal for the +trial of Ghouls and non-elective officers, and shall be composed of +six judges appointed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den, +presided over and sworn by him to give the accused a fair and +impartial trial. They shall have power to summon the accused, and +witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty they shall +prescribe the penalty and execute the same. Said Judges shall be +selected by the Grand Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, +integrity and fair-mindedness, and shall render their verdict without +prejudice or partiality. + +REVENUE. + +ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall be derived as follows: +For every copy of this Prescript issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars +will be required. Two dollars of which shall go into the hands of the +Grand Exchequer of the Grand Giant; two into the hands of the Grand +Exchequer of the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand +Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining four into the hands +of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Wizard. + +Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when +the Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent. +of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the +Grand Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when +the Grand Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten per +cent. on all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon the Dens, when the +Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be the initiation fees, +fines, and a _per capita_ tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem +such tax indispensable to the interests and purposes of the *. + +Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the manner herein aforesaid, +shall be for the exclusive benefit of the *. And shall be appropriated +to the dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a fund to +meet any disbursement that it may become necessary to make to +accomplish the objects of the *, and to secure the protection of the +same. + +OBLIGATION. + +ART. VIII. No one shall become a member of this *, unless he shall +take the following oath or obligation: + +"I, ---- of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of +Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal to +any one, not a member of the * * by any intimation, sign, symbol, word +or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets, signs, +grips, pass words, mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am a +member of the same or that I know any one who _is_ a member, and that +I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of the * *. So help me God." + +Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be administered before the +candidate for admission is taken to the Grand Cyclops for examination, +shall be as follows: + +"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing that +I may this day (or night) learn concerning the * *. So help me God." + +ADMISSION. + +ART. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for admission into this *, +until he shall have been recommended by some friend or intimate, who +is a member, to the Investigating Committee, which shall be composed +of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall +investigate his antecedents and his past and present standing and +connections, and if after such investigation, they pronounce him +competent and worthy to become a member, he may be admitted upon +taking the obligation required and passing through the ceremonies of +initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be admitted into this * who +shall have not attained the age of eighteen years. + +Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a distant * when there is a * +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor shall +any one become a member of any * after he shall have been rejected by +any other *. + +ENSIGN. + +ART. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be in the form of an +isosceles triangle, five feet long and three wide at the staff. The +material shall be Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three +inches in width. There shall be painted upon it, in black, a +Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55a] with the following motto inscribed +above the Dragon, + +"QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS.[56a]" + +AMENDMENTS. + +ART. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof, shall never be +changed except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the +Realms, in Convention assembled, and at which Convention the Grand +Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the +application of a majority of the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the +Grand Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said Convention; +which, when assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and +amendments as it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the +utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the *. + +INTERDICTION. + +ART. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and ritual of this * shall +never be written, but the same shall be communicated orally. + +REGISTER. + + 1st--Dismal. 7th--Dreadful. + 2nd--Dark. 8th--Terrible. + 3rd--Furious. 9th--Horrible. + 4th--Portentous. 10th--Melancholy. + 5th--Wonderful. 11th--Mournful. + 6th--Alarming. 12th--Dying. + +II. + + I--White. IV--Black + II--Green. V--Yellow + III--Blue. VI--Crimson + VII--Purple + +III. + + 1--Fearful. 7--Doleful. + 2--Startling. 8--Sorrowful. + 3--Awful. 9--Hideous. + 4--Woeful. 10--Frightful. + 5--Horrid. 11--Appalling. + 6--Bloody. 12--Last. + +EDICTS. + +I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one dollar, to be paid when +the candidate is initiated and received into the *. + +II. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the *. Nor shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting +when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in such a +condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor more +than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the *. + +III. Any member may be expelled from the * by a majority vote of the +officers and ghouls of the Den to which he belongs, and if after such +expulsion such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia or +insignia of the * or in any way claim to be a member of the same, he +shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation +made by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same +manner as if he were then a member. + +IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to the * of his Den, at least once in every three +months,--And shall read them to each new member when he is initiated, +or present the same to him for personal perusal. + +V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand Banner of the *. + +VI. The *s of Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control +and government as they shall deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, +No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or +Edicts of this Prescript. + +VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, concerning any and +everything that relates to the * shall at all times be maintained. + +VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets or purposes of +this * shall suffer the extreme penalty of the Law. + + Hush, thou art not to utter what + I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant. + I said that I would see thee once again. + +L' ENVOI. + +To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate +the * * + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55a] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial. + +[56a] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be true." + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN + +ADOPTED IN 1868 (?) + +REVISED AND AMENDED + +PRESCRIPT + +OF THE + +ORDER + +OF THE + + * +* * + + +_Damnant quod non intelligunt._ + + + + +APPELLATION. + +This Organization shall be styled and denominated, the Order of the * +* *. + +CREED. + +We, the Order of the * * *, reverentially acknowledge the majesty and +supremacy of the Divine Being, and recognize the goodness and +providence of the same. And we recognize our relation to the United +States Government, the supremacy of the Constitution, the +Constitutional Laws thereof, and the Union of States thereunder. + +CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER. + +This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity, Mercy, and Patriotism; +embodying in its genius and its principles all that is chivalric in +conduct, noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and patriotic in +purpose; its peculiar objects being + +First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from +the indignities, wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and +the brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to succor the +suffering and unfortunate, and especially the widows and orphans of +Confederate soldiers. + +Second: To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, +and all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States +and the people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. + +Third: To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, +and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except +by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land. + +ARTICLE I. + +TITLES. + +SECTION 1. The officers of this Order shall consist of a Grand Wizard +of the Empire, and his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm, and his +eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion, and his six Furies; a +Grand Giant of the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of +the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand +Scribe, a Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand Sentinel. + +SEC. 2. The body politic of this Order shall be known and designated +as "Ghouls." + +ARTICLE II. + +TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS. + +SECTION 1. The territory embraced within the jurisdiction of this +Order shall he coterminous with the States of Maryland, Virginia, +North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, +Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and +Tennessee; all combined constituting the Empire. + +SEC. 2. The Empire shall be divided into four departments, the first +to be styled the Realm, and coterminus with the boundaries of the +several States; the second to be styled the Dominion, and to be +coterminous with such counties as the Grand Dragons of the several +Realms may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan. The third to be +styled the Province, and to be coterminous with the several counties; +_provided_, the Grand Titan may, when he deems it necessary, assign +two Grand Giants to one Province, prescribing, at the same time, the +jurisdiction of each. The fourth department to be styled the Den, and +shall embrace such part of a Province as the Grand Giant shall assign +to the charge of a Grand Cyclops. + +ARTICLE III. + +POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. + +GRAND WIZARD. + +SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard, who is the supreme officer of the Empire, +shall have power, and he shall be required to, appoint Grand Dragons +for the different Realms of the Empire; and he shall have power to +appoint his Genii, also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer for his +Department, and he shall have the sole power to issue copies of this +Prescript, through his subalterns, for the organization and +dissemination of the Order; and when a question of paramount +importance to the interests or prosperity of the Order arises, not +provided for in this Prescript, he shall have power to determine such +question, and his decision shall be final until the same shall be +provided for by amendment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his +duty to communicate with, and receive reports from, the Grand Dragons +of Realms, as to the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of +the Order within their respective Realms. And, it shall further be his +duty to keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without any +caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons, of the +different Realms of the Empire, and shall number such Realms with the +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_; and he shall direct and +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement +he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND DRAGON. + +SEC. 2. The Grand Dragon, who is the chief officer of the Realm, shall +have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand +Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such Dominion not to exceed +three in number for any Congressional District) said appointments +being subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of the Empire. He +shall have power to appoint his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a +Grand Exchequer for his Department. + +It shall be his duty to report to the Grand Wizard, when required by +that officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +Order within his Realm, and to transmit, through the Grand Titan, or +other authorized sources, to the Order, all information, intelligence, +or instruction conveyed to him by the Grand Wizard for that purpose, +and all such other information or instruction as he may think will +promote the interest and utility of the Order. He shall keep by his +Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without caption) of the Grand +Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm, and shall report the +same to the Grand Wizard when required, and shall number the Dominion +of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And +he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the +appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the +Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND TITAN. + +SEC. 3. The Grand Titan, who is the chief officer of the Dominion, +shall have power, and he shall be required, to appoint and instruct a +Grand Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such appointments, +however, being subject to the approval of the Grand Dragon of the +Realm. He shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department. It shall be his duty +to report to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer, the +condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order within his +Dominion, and to transmit through the Grand Giant, or other authorized +channels, to the Order, all information, intelligence, instruction or +directions conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and +all such other information or instruction as he may think will enhance +the interest or efficiency of the Order. + +He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without +caption or explanation) of the Grand Giants of the different Provinces +of his Dominion, and shall report the same to the Grand Dragon when +required; and shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with the +Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he shall direct and +instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and disbursement +he shall make of the revenue of the Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND GIANT. + +SEC. 4. The Grand Giant, who is the chief officer of the Province, +shall have power, and he is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand +Cyclops for each Den of his Province, such ap-pointments, however, +being subject to the approval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion. And +he shall have the further power to appoint his Goblins; also, a Grand +Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his Department. + +It shall be his duty to supervise and administer general and special +instructions in the organization and establishment of the Order within +his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan, when required by that +officer, the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the +Order within his Province, and to transmit through the Grand Cyclops, +or other legitimate sources, to the Order, all information, +intelligence, instruction, or directions conveyed to him by the Grand +Titan or other higher authority for that purpose, and all such other +information or instruction as he may think would advance the purposes +or prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list +of the names (without caption or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of +the various Dens of his Province, and shall report the same to the +Grand Titan when required; and shall number the Dens of his Province +with the Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. He shall determine +and limit the number of Dens to be organized and established in his +Province; and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer as to +the appropriation and disbursement he shall make of the revenue of the +Order that comes to his hands. + +GRAND CYCLOPS. + +SEC. 5. The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief officer of the Den, shall +have power to appoint his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand +Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sentinel. And for small +offenses he may punish any member by fine, and may reprimand him for +the same. And he is further empowered to admonish and reprimand his +Den, or any of the members thereof, for any imprudence, irregularity, +or transgression, whenever he may think that the interests, welfare, +reputation or safety of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to +take charge of his Den under the instruction and with the assistance +(when practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in +conformity to the provisions of this Prescript--a copy of which shall +in all cases be obtained before the formation of a Den begins. It +shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of his Den, +and to preside at the same; to appoint irregular meetings when he +deems it expedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline in his +Den; to impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders; and +to receive and initiate candidates for admission into the Order, after +the same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy to become +members, by the Investigating Committee herein after provided for. And +it shall further be his duty to make a quarterly report to the Grand +Giant of the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, +and shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of his Den, all +information, intelligence, instruction, or direction, conveyed to him +by the Grand Giant or other higher authority for that purpose; and +shall from time to time administer all such other counsel, instruction +or direction, as in his sound discretion, will conduce to the +interests, and more effectually accomplish, the real objects and +designs of the Order. + +GRAND MAGI. + +SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi, who is the second +officer in authority of the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to +obey all the orders of that officer; to preside at all meetings in the +Den, in the absence of the Grand Cyclops; and to discharge during his +absence all the duties and exercise all the powers and authority of +that officer. + +GRAND MONK. + +SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk, who is the third +officer in authority of the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of +the Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in the absence of both of +these officers, he shall preside at and conduct the meetings in the +Den, and shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the powers +and authority of the Grand Cyclops. + +GRAND EXCHEQUER. + +SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers of the different +Departments to keep a correct account of all the revenue of the Order +that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by them; and shall make +no appropriation or disbursement of the same except under the orders +and direction of the chief officer of their respective Departments. +And it shall further be the duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect +the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand Cyclops, or +the officer discharging his functions. + +GRAND TURK. + +SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk, who is the executive +officer of the Grand Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the +Den, of all informal or irregular meetings appointed by the Grand +Cyclops, and to obey and execute all the orders of that officer in the +control and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to +receive and question at the outposts, all candidates for admission +into the Order, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary +obligation required, and then to conduct such candidate or candidates +to the Grand Cyclops, and to assist him in the initiation of the same. + +GRAND SCRIBE. + +SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the different +Departments to conduct the correspondence and write the orders of the +Chiefs of their Departments, when required. And it shall further be +the duty of the Grand Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names +(without any caption or explanation whatever) of the Officers and +Ghouls of the Den, to call the roll at all meetings, and to make the +quarterly reports under the direction and instruction of the Grand +Cyclops. + +GRAND SENTINEL. + +SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel to take charge of +post, and instruct the Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of +the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same when directed +by that officer. + +THE STAFF. + +SEC. 12. The Genii shall constitute the staff of the Grand Wizard; the +Hydras, that of the Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand Titan; +the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant; and the Night-hawks, that of the +Grand Cyclops, + +REMOVAL. + +SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and substantial cause, any appointee +may be removed by the authority that appointed him, and his place +supplied by another appointment. + +ARTICLE IV + +ELECTION OF OFFICERS. + +SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard shall be elected biennially by the Grand +Dragons of Realms. The first election for this office to take place on +the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard having been created, by +the original Prescript, to serve three years from the 1st Monday in +May, 1867); all subsequent elections to take place every two years +thereafter. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall notify the Grand +Dragons of the different Realms, at least six months before said +election, at what time and place the same will be held; a majority +vote of all the Grand Dragons _present_ being necessary and sufficient +to elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be by ballot, and shall +be held by three Commissioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that +purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand Wizard shall have the +casting-vote. + +SEC. 2. The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk of Dens shall be elected +annually by the Ghouls of Dens; and the first election for these +officers may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been initiated for +the formation of a Den. All subsequent elections to take place every +year thereafter. + +SEC. 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Grand Wizard, by +death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of +the Empire shall immediately assume and enter upon the discharge of +the duties of the Grand Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and +perform the duties of said office until the same shall be filled by +election; and the said senior Grand Dragon, as soon as practicable +after the happening of such vacancy, shall call a convention of the +Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at such time and place as in his +discretion he may deem most convenient and proper. _Provided_, +however, that the time for assembling such Convention for the election +of a Grand Wizard shall in no case exceed six months from the time +such vacancy occurred; and in the event of a vacancy in any other +office, the same shall immediately be filled in the manner herein +before mentioned. + +SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or appointed may retain their +offices during the time for which they have been so elected or +appointed, at the expiration of which time said offices shall be +filled as herein-before provided. + +ARTICLE V + +JUDICIARY. + +SECTION 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this Order shall consist of a +Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the +Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the Chiefs of these several +Departments. + +SEC. 2. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Empire shall consist of +three Judges for the trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and +attaches belonging to the Head-quarters of the Empire. + +SEC. 3. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Realm shall consist of +three Judges for the trial of Grand Titans, and the Officers and +attaches belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm. + +SEC. 4. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Dominion shall consist +of three Judges for the trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and +attaches belonging to the Head-quarters of the Dominion. + +SEC. 5. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Province shall consist +of five Judges for the trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand +Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and the Officers and attaches +belonging to the Head-quarters of the Province. + +SEC. 6. The Court at the Head-quarters of the Den shall consist of +seven Judges appointed from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the +officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den. + +SEC. 7. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard shall be +composed of at least seven Grand Dragons, to be convened by the senior +Grand Dragon upon charges being preferred against the Grand Wizard; +which Tribunal shall be organized and presided over by the senior +Grand Dragon _present_; and if they find the accused guilty, they +shall prescribe the penalty, and the senior Grand Dragon of the Empire +shall cause the same to be executed. + +SEC. 8. The aforesaid Courts shall summon the accused and witnesses +for and against him, and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the +penalty, and the Officers convening the Court shall cause the same to +be executed. _Provided_ the accused shall always have the right of +appeal to the next Court above, whose decision shall be final. + +SEC. 9. The Judges constituting the aforesaid Courts shall be selected +with reference to their intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, +and shall render their verdict without prejudice, favor, partiality, +or affection, and shall be so sworn, upon the organization of the +Court; and shall further be sworn to administer even-handed justice. + +SEC. 10. The several Courts herein provided for shall be governed in +their deliberations, proceedings, and judgments by the rules and +regulations governing the proceedings of regular Courts-martial. + +ARTICLE VI. + +REVENUE. + +SECTION 1. The revenue of this Order shall be derived as follows: For +every copy of this Prescript issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2 +of which shall go into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Giant, $2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan, $2 +into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the +remaining $4 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand +Wizard. + +SEC. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the +Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent. +of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the +Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the +same. + +SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when +the Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +SEC. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces shall be ten per +cent. of all the revenue of Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand +Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. + +SEC. 6. The source of revenue to Dens shall be the initiation fees, +fines, and a _per capita_ tax, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem +such tax necessary and indispensable to the interests and objects of +the Order. + +SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the manner aforesaid, shall be for +the _exclusive_ benefit of the Order, and shall be appropriated to the +dissemination of the same and to the creation of a fund to meet any +disbursement that it may become necessary to make to accomplish the +objects of the Order and to secure the protection of the same. + +ARTICLE VII. + +ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. + +SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for admission into the Order +until he shall have first been recommended by some friend or intimate +who _is_ a member, to the Investigating Committee, (which shall be +composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,) +and who shall have investigated his antecedents and his past and +present standing and connections; and after such investigation, shall +have pronounced him competent and worthy to become a member. +_Provided_, no one shall be presented for admission into, or become a +member of, this Order who shall not have attained the age of eighteen +years. + +SEC. 2. No one shall become a member of this Order unless he shall +_voluntarily_ take the following oaths or obligations, and shall +_satisfactorily_ answer the following interrogatories, while kneeling, +with his right hand raised to heaven, and his left hand resting on the +Bible: + +PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION. + +"I ---- solemnly swear or affirm that I will never reveal any thing +that I may this day (or night) learn concerning the Order of the * * +*, and that I will true answer make to such interrogatories as may be +put to me touching my competency for admission into the same. So help +me God." + +INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED: + +1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon application for membership in +the * * *, or have you ever been expelled from the same? + +2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Radical +Republican party, or either of the organizations known as the "Loyal +League" and the "Grand Army of the Republic?". + +3d. Are you opposed to the principles and policy of the Radical party, +and to the Loyal League, and the Grand Army of the Republic, so far as +you are informed of the character and purposes of those organizations? + +4th. Did you belong to the Federal army during the late war, and fight +against the South during the existence of the same? + +5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both social and political? + +6th. Are you in favor of a white man's government in this country? + +7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty, and a Government of +equitable laws instead of a Government of violence and oppression? + +8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Constitutional rights of the +South? + +9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchisement and emancipation of +the white men of the South, and the restitution of the Southern people +to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil, and political? + +10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right of self-preservation of +the people against the exercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power? + +If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfactorily answered, and the +candidate desires to go further (after something of the character and +nature of the Order has thus been indicated to him) and to be admitted +to the benefits, mysteries, secrets and purposes of the Order, he +shall then be required to take the following final oath or obligation. +But if said interrogatories are not satisfactorily answered, or the +candidate declines to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after +being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi-cer of the deep +secresy to which the oath already taken has bound him, and that the +extreme pen-alty of the law will follow a violation of the same. + +FINAL OBLIGATION. + +"I ---- of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of +Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to +any one not a member of the Order of the * * *, by any intimation, +sign, symbol, word or act, or in any other manner whatever, any of the +secrets, signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order of the * +* *, or that I am a member of the same, or that I know any one who +_is_ a member; and that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of +the Order of the * * * So help me God." + +The initiating officer will then proceed to explain to the new members +the character and objects of the Order, and introduce him to the +mysteries and secrets of the same; and shall read to him this +Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or present the same to him for +personal perusal. + +ARTICLE VIII. + +AMENDMENTS. + +This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof shall never be changed, +except by a two-thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in +convention assembled, and at which convention the Grand Wizard shall +preside and be entitled to a vote. And upon the application of a +majority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the Grand Wizard shall +call and appoint the time and place for said convention; which, when +assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and amendments as +it may think will promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and more +thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the Order. + +ARTICLE IX. + +INTERDICTION. + +The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order shall never be +written, but the same shall be communicated orally. + +ARTICLE X. + +EDICTS. + +1. No one shall become a member of a distant Den, when there is a Den +established and in operation in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall +any one become a member of any Den, or of this Order in any way after +he shall have been once rejected, upon application for membership. + +2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members thereof, shall operate +beyond their prescribed limits, unless invited or ordered by the +proper authority so to do. + +3. No member shall be allowed to take any intoxicating spirits to any +meeting of the Den; nor shall any member be allowed to attend a +meeting while intoxicated; and for every appearance at a meeting in +such condition, he shall be fined the sum of not less than one nor +more than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the Order. + +4. Any member may be expelled from the Order by a majority vote of the +Officers and Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if after such +expulsion, such member shall assume any of the duties, regalia, or +insignia of the Order, or in any way claim to be a member of the same, +he shall be severely punished. His obligation of secrecy shall be as +binding upon him after expulsion as before, and for any revelation +made by him thereafter, he shall be held accountable in the same +manner as if he were then a member. + +5. Upon the expulsion of any member from the Order, the Grand Cyclops, +or the officer acting in his stead, shall immediately report the same +to the Grand Giant of the Province, who shall cause the fact to be +made known and read in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit +the same, through the proper channels, to the Grand Dragon of the +Realm, who shall cause it to be published to every Den in his Realm, +and shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous Realms of the same. + +6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause to be read, this Prescript +and these Edicts to his Den, at least once in every month; and shall +read them to each new member when he is initiated, or present the same +to him for personal perusal. + +7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one dollar, to be paid +when the candidate is initiated and received into the Order. + +8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for their control and +government as they may deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_, no +Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the provisions or Edicts +of this Prescript. + +9. The most profound and rigid secrecy concerning any and everything +that relates to the Order, shall at all times be maintained. + +10. Any member who shall reveal or betray the secrets of this Order, +shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law. + +ADMONITION. + +Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, bethink thee! it was our +covenant! + +REGISTER. + +I. + + 1. Dismal, 7. Painful, + 2. Mystic, 8. Portentous, + 3. Stormy, 9. Fading, + 4. Peculiar, 10. Melancholy, + 5. Blooming, 11. Glorious, + 6. Brilliant, 12. Gloomy. + +II. + + I. White, II. Green, III. Yellow, IV. Amber, + V. Purple, VI. Crimson, VII. Emerald. + +III. + + 1. Fearful, 7. Hideous, + 2. Startling, 8. Frightful, + 3. Wonderful, 9. Awful, + 4. Alarming, 10. Horrible, + 5. Mournful, 11. Dreadful, + 6. Appalling, 12. Last. + +IV. + + Cumberland. + +L'ENVOI. + +To the lovers of law and order, peace and justice, we send greeting; +and to the shades of the venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the +Order of the * * * + + _Resurgamus._ + + * * * * * + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ku Klux Klan, by +J. C. Lester and D. L. Wilson and Walter L. 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