“You are hereby notified that I have this day voluntarily withdrawn as a ‘citizen’ of the ‘Invisible Empire,’ Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc., and shall no longer consider myself in any way connected with the organization. After five months of ‘citizenship’ in the ‘Invisible Empire,’ three months of which were spent as a Kleagle, I have reached the conclusion that your proposition is a historical fraud; that it is a money-making scheme run for the benefit of a few insiders; that it is engaged in an evil propaganda in promoting unwarranted religious and racial hatred against Jews, Roman Catholics, negroes, and foreign-born American citizens; that your entire scheme is a dangerous public menace that will inevitably lead to bloodshed and if successful must result in revolution; and that, in the interests of decent Americanism, it should be suppressed by the Federal and State authorities.“I further notify you that I utterly repudiate and refuse to be bound in any way by any and all portions of the ‘oath of allegiance’ to the ‘Invisible Empire’ formerly taken by me, excepting that portion pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and of my State, with which portion you have camouflaged the real purport and meaning of the oath. The remainder of the oath conflicts with a higher obligation I have previously assumed as an officer of the Reserve Corps of the United States Army. I therefore denounce said remaining portions of said oath as illegal, and detrimental to the fundamental principles which underlie the entire legal structure of this country. I further decline, any longer, to keep secret any part or parts of your scheme to establish in free America an ‘Invisible Empire’ fraudulent in its conception, vicious in its nature, political in its objects, and subject to the will of a self-constituted ‘Emperor’ who seeks to exploit the American people for his own personal aggrandizement.“In defiance of your threats of ‘dishonor, disgrace, and death’ as contained in your ritual—written and copyrighted by yourself—I denounce your ritualistic work as an insult to all Christian people in America, as an attemptto hypocritically obtain money from the public under the cloak of sanctimonious piety; and, I charge that the principal feature of your ceremony of ‘naturalization’ into the ‘Invisible Empire’ is a blasphemous and sacrilegious mockery of the holy rite of baptism, wherein for political and financial purposes, you have polluted with your infamous parody those things that Christians, regardless of creed or dogma, hold most sacred.“I further charge that when in your printed literature you claim that your organization is the ‘genuine original Klan,’ this statement is a fraud historically and a fraud in principle. While you have—without any right whatever—appropriated to yourself the name, regalia, and certain nomenclature of the original Klan, your scheme is radically different in conception, in organization, and in purpose. A careful study, which I have made, of the Prescript of the original Klan and all available history and literature on the subject, reveals the fact that there is little, if anything, in common between the two organizations. Your false pretenses of ‘genuineness’ are therefore insults to the history, the traditions, and the entire record of the South.“Ever since your scheme has been actively propagated, there has been a wave of crime in the Southern States, consisting to a large extent of ‘private regulations’ of the public peace, committed by men who have gone about their respective communities wearing disguises and taking into their own hands the functions of prosecuting attorney, witnesses, judge, jury and executioner, in direct contravention to the Bill of Rights of the Federal and State constitutions. Men have been dragged from their beds at night, forcibly abducted on the streets and in their homes, arrested without warrant on the public streets, conveyed to secluded places, there to be flogged, tarred and feathered. In two instances helpless women, after being stripped of their clothing, have been similarly maltreated. In nearly every reported case, the perpetrators of these acts of lawlessness have worn disguises, described as ‘masks and white robes,’ which descriptioncorrespond convincingly with the official regalia of the ‘Invisible Empire.’ In three specific cases, acts of lawlessness have been so openly and flagrantly committed by members of the ‘Ku Klux Klan,’ that you have been compelled to take official cognizance. In these three instances where responsibility has been fixed, it was very evident that the illegal oath and the secret teachings of your ‘Invisible Empire’ were construed by your dupes as granting a license to engage in secret regulation of the peace by means of anonymous warnings, threats, intimidations, abduction, the whip, and the use of tar and feathers. Having studied your scheme, both from the inside and the outside, I have no doubt whatever that practically all of these reported outrages were committed by members of your organization. If it were proven, however, that your ‘citizens’ were notprima facieresponsible, at the same time there exists a moral responsibility, because when one group of people is permitted to go about in disguise, it places the community at the mercy of any group which cares to adopt similar tactics.“Everywhere the promoters of your scheme have gone, they have sought to enlist as ‘citizens’ the white, Gentile, Protestant public officials, especially those having in charge the enforcement of the law. No matter how capable, how efficient, and how conscientious a public official may be, if he chances to be a Jew or a Catholic, you not only do not want him, but your organization is now planning actively to cause all the Jews, Catholics, and foreign-born naturalized Americans in this country to be removed from public life. Aside from vicious politics, and in view of the fact that your oath is an accessory before the fact to mob violence, this tampering and meddling with the law-enforcing machinery of the country—under the alleged plea of ‘law and order’—is a direct blow at the entire legal machinery of the United States, a condition that, in its nature, approaches anarchy.“At a time when peaceful relations are existing between the white and black races, you are disrupting the industrial conditions of the South, by your anti-negro propagandaand causing a state of unrest that can result only in dangerous and mischievous consequences. In your anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish propaganda, your organization is scattering broadcast over this country wicked, malicious, and inflammatory lies about American citizens of those religious beliefs, lies that brand your movement as being far more vicious than the insidious German propaganda in this country prior to our entrance into the recent war. You are publishing, for example, the statement that the Jews are seeking to promote a race war between white people and negroes, and the intimation that the Catholic Church was responsible for the murder of President Abraham Lincoln. In public statements, you and your paid speakers give expression to wordy, sanctimonious and high-sounding platitudes, while secretly your propagandists, in a sneaking and contemptible manner, are spreading poisonous and vicious lies they dare not give voice to in public.“Your ‘Invisible Empire’ is furthermore a money-making scheme! You, yourself, an individual of little, if any, means prior to your becoming an ‘Emperor’ have so far received from ‘friends’ a $25,000 residence completely furnished! Your connection with the organization is either bringing you large sums of money at present, or the promise of the same in the future! You are allowed to appropriate to your own use all of the ten dollars “donated” by any person whose application you personally solicit! All of the rituals and other printed publications of your organization are copyrighted in your name, and it is presumable that you have either received royalties for their use or a cash consideration for their sale! Your organization has recently bought Lanier University, of which you have been made the head, and college presidents are usually paid salaries! While orders for robes at $6.50 are taken in your name, they are filled by the Gate City Manufacturing Company, at a substantial profit, and the public has not been informed as to the disposition of this huge amount of funds! The Searchlight Publishing Company, headed by your ImperialKleagle is no doubt a big revenue producer! Your Imperial Kleagle is also the head of the Clarke Realty Company, in whose operations, I have no doubt you are also interested! These varied financial operations indicate to me that spreading religious and racial hatred is a lucrative business for you and your associates.“Your whole ‘Invisible Empire’ is a cancer in the body politic! It is like some foul and loathsome thing that grows and flourishes in the dark, away from the sight of honest men and women. It was conceived in avarice, sired in ignorance, and dammed in greed. It is now being nurtured in cunning and false pretense, and fed upon an unholy lust for gold, by means of passion, hatred, and the prejudice of religious and racial fanaticism. And, day by day, with your oily assurance, you say that these devilish devices of discord are being developed in the name of ‘pure Americanism’! If this is your idea of America, you haven’t the slightest conception of what pure Americanism means!“There is no place in America for an ‘Invisible Empire’ of hate and venom; and there is no provision in the laws of this country for an ‘Emperor’! The ‘Invisible Empire’ should be made visible! It should be held up to the light so that honest men can see its ugly structure and analyze its nefarious potentialities, and then, having seen this monstrosity, the people should demand of their legally constituted forces of government that Ku Kluxism and the Ku Klux Klan be outlawed and barred forever from operating in this free Republic.Yours truly,Henry P. Fry.”
“You are hereby notified that I have this day voluntarily withdrawn as a ‘citizen’ of the ‘Invisible Empire,’ Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc., and shall no longer consider myself in any way connected with the organization. After five months of ‘citizenship’ in the ‘Invisible Empire,’ three months of which were spent as a Kleagle, I have reached the conclusion that your proposition is a historical fraud; that it is a money-making scheme run for the benefit of a few insiders; that it is engaged in an evil propaganda in promoting unwarranted religious and racial hatred against Jews, Roman Catholics, negroes, and foreign-born American citizens; that your entire scheme is a dangerous public menace that will inevitably lead to bloodshed and if successful must result in revolution; and that, in the interests of decent Americanism, it should be suppressed by the Federal and State authorities.
“I further notify you that I utterly repudiate and refuse to be bound in any way by any and all portions of the ‘oath of allegiance’ to the ‘Invisible Empire’ formerly taken by me, excepting that portion pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and of my State, with which portion you have camouflaged the real purport and meaning of the oath. The remainder of the oath conflicts with a higher obligation I have previously assumed as an officer of the Reserve Corps of the United States Army. I therefore denounce said remaining portions of said oath as illegal, and detrimental to the fundamental principles which underlie the entire legal structure of this country. I further decline, any longer, to keep secret any part or parts of your scheme to establish in free America an ‘Invisible Empire’ fraudulent in its conception, vicious in its nature, political in its objects, and subject to the will of a self-constituted ‘Emperor’ who seeks to exploit the American people for his own personal aggrandizement.
“In defiance of your threats of ‘dishonor, disgrace, and death’ as contained in your ritual—written and copyrighted by yourself—I denounce your ritualistic work as an insult to all Christian people in America, as an attemptto hypocritically obtain money from the public under the cloak of sanctimonious piety; and, I charge that the principal feature of your ceremony of ‘naturalization’ into the ‘Invisible Empire’ is a blasphemous and sacrilegious mockery of the holy rite of baptism, wherein for political and financial purposes, you have polluted with your infamous parody those things that Christians, regardless of creed or dogma, hold most sacred.
“I further charge that when in your printed literature you claim that your organization is the ‘genuine original Klan,’ this statement is a fraud historically and a fraud in principle. While you have—without any right whatever—appropriated to yourself the name, regalia, and certain nomenclature of the original Klan, your scheme is radically different in conception, in organization, and in purpose. A careful study, which I have made, of the Prescript of the original Klan and all available history and literature on the subject, reveals the fact that there is little, if anything, in common between the two organizations. Your false pretenses of ‘genuineness’ are therefore insults to the history, the traditions, and the entire record of the South.
“Ever since your scheme has been actively propagated, there has been a wave of crime in the Southern States, consisting to a large extent of ‘private regulations’ of the public peace, committed by men who have gone about their respective communities wearing disguises and taking into their own hands the functions of prosecuting attorney, witnesses, judge, jury and executioner, in direct contravention to the Bill of Rights of the Federal and State constitutions. Men have been dragged from their beds at night, forcibly abducted on the streets and in their homes, arrested without warrant on the public streets, conveyed to secluded places, there to be flogged, tarred and feathered. In two instances helpless women, after being stripped of their clothing, have been similarly maltreated. In nearly every reported case, the perpetrators of these acts of lawlessness have worn disguises, described as ‘masks and white robes,’ which descriptioncorrespond convincingly with the official regalia of the ‘Invisible Empire.’ In three specific cases, acts of lawlessness have been so openly and flagrantly committed by members of the ‘Ku Klux Klan,’ that you have been compelled to take official cognizance. In these three instances where responsibility has been fixed, it was very evident that the illegal oath and the secret teachings of your ‘Invisible Empire’ were construed by your dupes as granting a license to engage in secret regulation of the peace by means of anonymous warnings, threats, intimidations, abduction, the whip, and the use of tar and feathers. Having studied your scheme, both from the inside and the outside, I have no doubt whatever that practically all of these reported outrages were committed by members of your organization. If it were proven, however, that your ‘citizens’ were notprima facieresponsible, at the same time there exists a moral responsibility, because when one group of people is permitted to go about in disguise, it places the community at the mercy of any group which cares to adopt similar tactics.
“Everywhere the promoters of your scheme have gone, they have sought to enlist as ‘citizens’ the white, Gentile, Protestant public officials, especially those having in charge the enforcement of the law. No matter how capable, how efficient, and how conscientious a public official may be, if he chances to be a Jew or a Catholic, you not only do not want him, but your organization is now planning actively to cause all the Jews, Catholics, and foreign-born naturalized Americans in this country to be removed from public life. Aside from vicious politics, and in view of the fact that your oath is an accessory before the fact to mob violence, this tampering and meddling with the law-enforcing machinery of the country—under the alleged plea of ‘law and order’—is a direct blow at the entire legal machinery of the United States, a condition that, in its nature, approaches anarchy.
“At a time when peaceful relations are existing between the white and black races, you are disrupting the industrial conditions of the South, by your anti-negro propagandaand causing a state of unrest that can result only in dangerous and mischievous consequences. In your anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish propaganda, your organization is scattering broadcast over this country wicked, malicious, and inflammatory lies about American citizens of those religious beliefs, lies that brand your movement as being far more vicious than the insidious German propaganda in this country prior to our entrance into the recent war. You are publishing, for example, the statement that the Jews are seeking to promote a race war between white people and negroes, and the intimation that the Catholic Church was responsible for the murder of President Abraham Lincoln. In public statements, you and your paid speakers give expression to wordy, sanctimonious and high-sounding platitudes, while secretly your propagandists, in a sneaking and contemptible manner, are spreading poisonous and vicious lies they dare not give voice to in public.
“Your ‘Invisible Empire’ is furthermore a money-making scheme! You, yourself, an individual of little, if any, means prior to your becoming an ‘Emperor’ have so far received from ‘friends’ a $25,000 residence completely furnished! Your connection with the organization is either bringing you large sums of money at present, or the promise of the same in the future! You are allowed to appropriate to your own use all of the ten dollars “donated” by any person whose application you personally solicit! All of the rituals and other printed publications of your organization are copyrighted in your name, and it is presumable that you have either received royalties for their use or a cash consideration for their sale! Your organization has recently bought Lanier University, of which you have been made the head, and college presidents are usually paid salaries! While orders for robes at $6.50 are taken in your name, they are filled by the Gate City Manufacturing Company, at a substantial profit, and the public has not been informed as to the disposition of this huge amount of funds! The Searchlight Publishing Company, headed by your ImperialKleagle is no doubt a big revenue producer! Your Imperial Kleagle is also the head of the Clarke Realty Company, in whose operations, I have no doubt you are also interested! These varied financial operations indicate to me that spreading religious and racial hatred is a lucrative business for you and your associates.
“Your whole ‘Invisible Empire’ is a cancer in the body politic! It is like some foul and loathsome thing that grows and flourishes in the dark, away from the sight of honest men and women. It was conceived in avarice, sired in ignorance, and dammed in greed. It is now being nurtured in cunning and false pretense, and fed upon an unholy lust for gold, by means of passion, hatred, and the prejudice of religious and racial fanaticism. And, day by day, with your oily assurance, you say that these devilish devices of discord are being developed in the name of ‘pure Americanism’! If this is your idea of America, you haven’t the slightest conception of what pure Americanism means!
“There is no place in America for an ‘Invisible Empire’ of hate and venom; and there is no provision in the laws of this country for an ‘Emperor’! The ‘Invisible Empire’ should be made visible! It should be held up to the light so that honest men can see its ugly structure and analyze its nefarious potentialities, and then, having seen this monstrosity, the people should demand of their legally constituted forces of government that Ku Kluxism and the Ku Klux Klan be outlawed and barred forever from operating in this free Republic.
Yours truly,Henry P. Fry.”
A study of the physical structure of the “Invisible Empire” necessarily starts with its corporate organization, its officers, its general method of functioning, and its ramifications throughout the United States. Although organized under the pretense that it is a “fraternal order,” a close investigation of the system reveals the fact that its activities extend in several directions. Its three principal promoters, William J. Simmons, Edward Young Clarke and Mrs. M. E. Tyler, are engaged in several lines of business all of which are closely related. The show under the main tent is the “Invisible Empire,” Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc., allied to which either directly or indirectly is the “Gate City Manufacturing Company,” a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia for the manufacture of lodge regalia, etc., the Searchlight Publishing Company, which prints a weekly paper which is recognized by the public as the official organ of Ku Kluxism, and Lanier University, which was acquired in August, 1921, and of which William J. Simmons is the president. There is also the Clarke Realty Company in which E. Y. Clarke and Mrs.M. E. Tyler are mentioned as incorporators, the operations of which corporation are not known.
The charter of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan granted by the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, reads as follows:
“Georgia, Fulton County.To the Superior Court of Said County:The petition ofW. J. Simmons, H. D. Shackleford, E. R. Clarkson, J. B. Frost, W. L. Smith, R. C. W. Ramspeck, G. D. Couch, L. M. Johnson, A. G. Dallas, W. E. Floding, W. C. Bennett, J. F. V. Saul, all of said State and County, respectfully shows:1. That they desire for themselves, their associates and successors to be incorporated in the State of Georgia for the period of twenty years, with the right of renewal; when and as provided by law, as apatriotic, secret, social, benevolent orderunder the name and style of‘Knights of the Ku Klux Klan’2. The purpose and object of said corporation is to be purely benevolent and eleesmosynary, and there shall be no capital stock or profit or gain to the members thereof.3. The principal office and place of business shall be in Fulton County, Georgia, but petitioners desire that the corporation shall have the power to issue decrees, edicts and certificates of organization to subordinate branches of the corporation in this or other States of the United States and elsewhere, whenever the same shall be deemed desirable in the conduct of its business.4. The petitioners desire that the Society shall have the power to confer an initiative degree ritualism, fraternal and secret obligations, words, grip signs and ceremonies under which there shall be united only white male persons of sound health, good morals and high character; and further desire such rights, powers and privileges as are now extended to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias,et al.,under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Georgia.5. Petitioners desire that there shall be a Supreme Legislative Body in which shall be vested the power to adopt and amend constitutions and by-laws for the regulation of the general purpose and welfare of the order, and of the subordinate branches of same.6. Petitioners desire that the ‘Imperial Klonvokation’ (Supreme Legislative Body) shall be composed of theSupreme Officers and ‘Kloppers’(DELEGATES) selected by the ‘Kloro’ (State Convention) of theseveral ‘Realms’(subordinate jurisdiction); and of such other persons as the constitution and by-laws of the Society may provide.7. Petitioners desire that the business of the Society shall be under the control of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President), who shall be amenable in his official administration to the ‘Imperial Kloncilium’ (Supreme Executive Committee), a majority of whom shall have authority to act, and a two-thirds’ majority power to veto the official acts of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President) in the matters pertaining to the general welfare of the Society; and to contract with other members of the Society for the purpose of promoting and conducting its interests and general welfare, in any way, manner, or method he may deem proper for the Society’s progress and stability, subject to the restrictions of the power of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President) as is heretofore set forth in this paragraph.8. Petitioners desire that they shall have the right to adopt a constitution and by-laws and elect the firstKloncilium(Supreme Executive Committee), which shall possess all the powers of the ‘Imperial Klonvokation’ (Supreme Legislative Body) until the first organization and meeting of that body, and shall fix the number, title and terms of officers composing said ‘Kloncilium’ (Supreme Legislative Committee).9. Petitioners desire the right to own separate unto itself and to control the sale of all paraphernalia, regalia, stationery, jewelry and such other materials needed by the subordinate branches of the order for the properconduct of their business; the right to publish a fraternal magazine and such other literature as is needed in the conduct of the business of the order; the right to buy, hold and sell real estate and personal property suitable to the purpose of the said corporation; to sell, exchange or sublease the same or any part thereof; to mortgage or create liens thereon; to borrow money and secure the payment thereof by mortgage or deed of trust and to appoint trustees in connection therewith; to execute promissory notes, to have and to use a common seal; to sue and be sued; to plead and be impleaded; to do and perform all these things and exercise all those rights, which under the laws of Georgia, are conferred upon societies or orders of like character.10.Whereforepetitioners pray an order incorporating them, their associates and successors under the name and style aforesaid with all the powers and privileges necessary to the extension of the order or the conduct of the business and purposes of like nature.”
“Georgia, Fulton County.
To the Superior Court of Said County:
The petition ofW. J. Simmons, H. D. Shackleford, E. R. Clarkson, J. B. Frost, W. L. Smith, R. C. W. Ramspeck, G. D. Couch, L. M. Johnson, A. G. Dallas, W. E. Floding, W. C. Bennett, J. F. V. Saul, all of said State and County, respectfully shows:
1. That they desire for themselves, their associates and successors to be incorporated in the State of Georgia for the period of twenty years, with the right of renewal; when and as provided by law, as apatriotic, secret, social, benevolent orderunder the name and style of
‘Knights of the Ku Klux Klan’
2. The purpose and object of said corporation is to be purely benevolent and eleesmosynary, and there shall be no capital stock or profit or gain to the members thereof.
3. The principal office and place of business shall be in Fulton County, Georgia, but petitioners desire that the corporation shall have the power to issue decrees, edicts and certificates of organization to subordinate branches of the corporation in this or other States of the United States and elsewhere, whenever the same shall be deemed desirable in the conduct of its business.
4. The petitioners desire that the Society shall have the power to confer an initiative degree ritualism, fraternal and secret obligations, words, grip signs and ceremonies under which there shall be united only white male persons of sound health, good morals and high character; and further desire such rights, powers and privileges as are now extended to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias,et al.,under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Georgia.
5. Petitioners desire that there shall be a Supreme Legislative Body in which shall be vested the power to adopt and amend constitutions and by-laws for the regulation of the general purpose and welfare of the order, and of the subordinate branches of same.
6. Petitioners desire that the ‘Imperial Klonvokation’ (Supreme Legislative Body) shall be composed of theSupreme Officers and ‘Kloppers’(DELEGATES) selected by the ‘Kloro’ (State Convention) of theseveral ‘Realms’(subordinate jurisdiction); and of such other persons as the constitution and by-laws of the Society may provide.
7. Petitioners desire that the business of the Society shall be under the control of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President), who shall be amenable in his official administration to the ‘Imperial Kloncilium’ (Supreme Executive Committee), a majority of whom shall have authority to act, and a two-thirds’ majority power to veto the official acts of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President) in the matters pertaining to the general welfare of the Society; and to contract with other members of the Society for the purpose of promoting and conducting its interests and general welfare, in any way, manner, or method he may deem proper for the Society’s progress and stability, subject to the restrictions of the power of the ‘Imperial Wizard’ (President) as is heretofore set forth in this paragraph.
8. Petitioners desire that they shall have the right to adopt a constitution and by-laws and elect the firstKloncilium(Supreme Executive Committee), which shall possess all the powers of the ‘Imperial Klonvokation’ (Supreme Legislative Body) until the first organization and meeting of that body, and shall fix the number, title and terms of officers composing said ‘Kloncilium’ (Supreme Legislative Committee).
9. Petitioners desire the right to own separate unto itself and to control the sale of all paraphernalia, regalia, stationery, jewelry and such other materials needed by the subordinate branches of the order for the properconduct of their business; the right to publish a fraternal magazine and such other literature as is needed in the conduct of the business of the order; the right to buy, hold and sell real estate and personal property suitable to the purpose of the said corporation; to sell, exchange or sublease the same or any part thereof; to mortgage or create liens thereon; to borrow money and secure the payment thereof by mortgage or deed of trust and to appoint trustees in connection therewith; to execute promissory notes, to have and to use a common seal; to sue and be sued; to plead and be impleaded; to do and perform all these things and exercise all those rights, which under the laws of Georgia, are conferred upon societies or orders of like character.
10.Whereforepetitioners pray an order incorporating them, their associates and successors under the name and style aforesaid with all the powers and privileges necessary to the extension of the order or the conduct of the business and purposes of like nature.”
The casual examination of the above instrument fails to show anything more significant than the fact that it is a simple application for a charter for an ordinary fraternal organization, several of whom, including the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, it specifically names. An analysis, however, of the instrument reveals some interesting things, and raises some questions that may be of service to the public in dealing with Ku Kluxism.
In the first place, this charter, which was granted July 1, 1916, confers upon W. J. Simmons and certain associates the right to engage in the business of a fraternal society under the name and style of “Knights of The Ku Klux Klan.” As a matter of fact thepropagation of the movement goes forward under the name and title of “Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc.” The use of the words “Invisible Empire” in connection with the authorized and legal title of the organization is anultra viresact without the sanction of the Georgia law under which the society is operating.
The following copy of the application for charter membership illustrates this point:
“To His Majesty, the Imperial Wizard, Emperor of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (Inc.):I, the undersigned, a native-born, true and loyal citizen of the United States of America, being a white Gentile person of temperate habits, sound in mind, and a believer in the tenets of the Christian religion, the maintenance ofwhite supremacy, the practice of an honorable clanishness and the principles of “pure Americanism,” do voluntarily most respectfully, seriously and unselfishly petition you forcitizenshipin theInvisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and be acharter memberof a Klan located at .................. State of ..........I guarantee on my honor to conform strictly to all rules and requirements regulating my “naturalization” and the continuance of my membership, and at all times a strict and loyal obedience to your constitutional authority and the constitution and laws, and all regulations and usages of the fraternity. The required “donation” accompanies this petition.Signed: .....................................,Petitioner.Date .................. 192....Residence Address ............................................Business Address ......................................Endorsers will sign on other side.Notice: Check the address to which mail may be sent.”
“To His Majesty, the Imperial Wizard, Emperor of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (Inc.):
I, the undersigned, a native-born, true and loyal citizen of the United States of America, being a white Gentile person of temperate habits, sound in mind, and a believer in the tenets of the Christian religion, the maintenance ofwhite supremacy, the practice of an honorable clanishness and the principles of “pure Americanism,” do voluntarily most respectfully, seriously and unselfishly petition you forcitizenshipin theInvisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and be acharter memberof a Klan located at .................. State of ..........
I guarantee on my honor to conform strictly to all rules and requirements regulating my “naturalization” and the continuance of my membership, and at all times a strict and loyal obedience to your constitutional authority and the constitution and laws, and all regulations and usages of the fraternity. The required “donation” accompanies this petition.
Signed: .....................................,Petitioner.Date .................. 192....Residence Address ............................................Business Address ......................................
Endorsers will sign on other side.
Notice: Check the address to which mail may be sent.”
This is the standard form for application for “citizenship” and several hundred such applications, properly signed, have come under my personal observation. It is distinctly a request to be “naturalized” as a “citizen” of the “Invisible Empire,” Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and not an application for membership in an order known as the “Knights of the Ku Klux Klan” by itself.
It appears from an examination of the records, that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan made but little headway for several years, when it was under the sole management of William J. Simmons. An examination of the Atlanta City Directory reveals the fact that the present “Emperor” was engaged in other lines of activity, largely as a professional organizer. In 1915 he appears listed as “Organizer of the Woodmen of the World”; in 1916, “Imperial Wizard and founder of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan”; in 1918, the next year a directory was issued, as “State Manager, Heralds of Liberty”; in 1920, as “Lecturer”; and in 1921, again as “Imperial Wizard, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” It was not, apparently, until he joined forces with Edward Young Clarke, that the enterprise was placed on a paying basis. Clarke, it is said, has had wide experience as a professional propagandist, and prior to his taking charge of the Ku Klux movement was employed to raise money for the Anti-Saloon League and the Salvation Army, conducting drives forthose bodies. The city directory of Atlanta lists him as follows: 1915, “Secretary, Brooks County Industrial Club”; 1916, Secretary, “Georgia Chamber of Commerce”; 1918, “Secretary, Southeastern Exhibit Association”; 1920-21, “President Southern Publicity Association.” Under the direction of Clarke the entire system of field work has been perfected, and as Imperial Kleagle, Clarke is responsible for the success of the movement.
Clarke, whose chief helper and backer was Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler, was conducting the Southern Publicity Bureau at the time, and quickly saw the big financial possibilities which lay in the capitalization of the name “Ku Klux.” Simmons, who had concocted the scheme of organization which placed the “entire works” into his own hands, lacked the ability to put his ideas into execution. At this point, I should like to take issue with practically every man who had made any attack on the Ku Klux Klan. The general opinion has been that “Simmons is absolutely sincere in what he is doing, but has been in the hands of Clarke and Mrs. Tyler.” I have never met Simmons in person, but I have studied his organization in the most minute detail. From my study of the system and the part the man has played in it, I believe that he is a cunning, shrewd adventurer, who, from the start conceived the idea of acquiring both wealth and unlimited power from his secret “Invisible Empire.” In all of his public utterancesin the newspapers and before Congress he has shown a shiftiness and evasiveness clearly discernible amid a vast mass of wordiness.
In his entire scheme of organization and management, he has so constructed his proposition that he is master of the situation with practically unlimited power. In this particular a good illustration can be found in the contract he made with Clarke whereby the latter became the Chief Sales Manager of the membership peddlers for the whole country. This contract, while it gives Clarke the opportunity of making a vast sum of money, at the same time makes Simmons the absolute dictator of Clarke’s movements. The probabilities are that Simmons, realizing that he himself was ignorant of real organization methods, so framed this contract that he could let Clarke out at any time, and take over to himself the functions of the propagation department after he had learned the system.
The contract which brought Clarke and Mrs. Tyler into the organization reads as follows:
“State of Georgia, County of Fulton,“This agreement, made and entered into on this the seventh day of June, A.D. 1920, by and between the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a corporation of said county, acting by its Imperial Wizard (President), W. J. Simmons, party of the first part, and Edward Young Clarke, of said county, party of the second part.“Witnesseth, that the said party of the second part hereto having, by virtue of this agreement, been appointed Imperial Kleagle (General Superintendent of theorganization department) of said first party, and it being desirable that the details of his rights, privileges, powers, duties, responsibilities, and compensation, etc., in addition to that laid down in the constitution and laws of the said corporation be definitely fixed:“Therefore, it is agreed by the said parties hereto that this contract shall continue so long as it is mutually agreeable; that it shall remain of force and may be canceled by either party hereto without previous notice of any intention to do so.“It is agreed that said second party may employ, subject to the approval and appointment of the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the corporation aforesaid, and subject to the right and power of said Imperial Wizard (President) to revoke all such appointments, such assistant organizers as he (the said second party) may deem necessary to properly carry out the plans for the propagation and extension of said corporation; provided, that such persons so appointed or employed be members of the said corporation in good and regular standing prior to their appointment, and that they maintain their good standing therein as an essential condition on which their appointment is made.“It is agreed that in all things the second party shall be subordinate to the said Imperial Wizard (President), and shall attempt no plans or methods of work without the consent or approval of the said Imperial Wizard.“It is agreed that the said second party shall receive as in full compensation and expenses of himself and his duly appointed and commissioned subordinate organizers the sum of $8.00 for each and every new member brought into the said corporation by himself and his assistant subordinate organizers, and in addition to the $8.00 he shall receive $2.00 for each new member added to all Klans organized by himself or his subordinate organizers within a period of six months after the date of the charter of all such Klans organized by himself and his subordinate organizers.“It is agreed that no expense or debts shall be made orincurred by the said Edward Young Clarke or his subordinate organizers, and no obligation entered into with any firm, company, corporation, or person for which the said first party hereto or the said Imperial Wizard (President) shall be bound to make any outlay of or expenditure of money, unless there be a specific approval of the particular item or items of all such expenditures, prior to the incurring of same by the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the said corporation.“It is agreed that the said second party shall advance, from time to time, as may be necessary the office rent and all other expenses incident to the proper conduct and furnishing of the main office of the aforesaid corporation, and in addition thereto a sum of not less than $75 per week and traveling expenses of the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the aforesaid corporation, reimbursing himself for such expenditures out of the $2.00 due by him to the aforesaid corporation on account of each member received into the aforesaid corporation by him and his duly appointed and commissioned subordinate organizers.“Duly executed in duplicate in the city of Atlanta, Ga., on the day and date above written.“KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, INC.“By W. J.Simmons, Imperial Wizard (President).“Edward Young Clarke.”
“State of Georgia, County of Fulton,
“This agreement, made and entered into on this the seventh day of June, A.D. 1920, by and between the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a corporation of said county, acting by its Imperial Wizard (President), W. J. Simmons, party of the first part, and Edward Young Clarke, of said county, party of the second part.
“Witnesseth, that the said party of the second part hereto having, by virtue of this agreement, been appointed Imperial Kleagle (General Superintendent of theorganization department) of said first party, and it being desirable that the details of his rights, privileges, powers, duties, responsibilities, and compensation, etc., in addition to that laid down in the constitution and laws of the said corporation be definitely fixed:
“Therefore, it is agreed by the said parties hereto that this contract shall continue so long as it is mutually agreeable; that it shall remain of force and may be canceled by either party hereto without previous notice of any intention to do so.
“It is agreed that said second party may employ, subject to the approval and appointment of the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the corporation aforesaid, and subject to the right and power of said Imperial Wizard (President) to revoke all such appointments, such assistant organizers as he (the said second party) may deem necessary to properly carry out the plans for the propagation and extension of said corporation; provided, that such persons so appointed or employed be members of the said corporation in good and regular standing prior to their appointment, and that they maintain their good standing therein as an essential condition on which their appointment is made.
“It is agreed that in all things the second party shall be subordinate to the said Imperial Wizard (President), and shall attempt no plans or methods of work without the consent or approval of the said Imperial Wizard.
“It is agreed that the said second party shall receive as in full compensation and expenses of himself and his duly appointed and commissioned subordinate organizers the sum of $8.00 for each and every new member brought into the said corporation by himself and his assistant subordinate organizers, and in addition to the $8.00 he shall receive $2.00 for each new member added to all Klans organized by himself or his subordinate organizers within a period of six months after the date of the charter of all such Klans organized by himself and his subordinate organizers.
“It is agreed that no expense or debts shall be made orincurred by the said Edward Young Clarke or his subordinate organizers, and no obligation entered into with any firm, company, corporation, or person for which the said first party hereto or the said Imperial Wizard (President) shall be bound to make any outlay of or expenditure of money, unless there be a specific approval of the particular item or items of all such expenditures, prior to the incurring of same by the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the said corporation.
“It is agreed that the said second party shall advance, from time to time, as may be necessary the office rent and all other expenses incident to the proper conduct and furnishing of the main office of the aforesaid corporation, and in addition thereto a sum of not less than $75 per week and traveling expenses of the said Imperial Wizard (President) of the aforesaid corporation, reimbursing himself for such expenditures out of the $2.00 due by him to the aforesaid corporation on account of each member received into the aforesaid corporation by him and his duly appointed and commissioned subordinate organizers.
“Duly executed in duplicate in the city of Atlanta, Ga., on the day and date above written.
“KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, INC.“By W. J.Simmons, Imperial Wizard (President).“Edward Young Clarke.”
As is well known the new Ku Klux Klan, like the old, depends to a great extent upon concealing the identity of the members by the means of long white robes and a white peaked helmet, with hangings in which eye holes have been cut. In the old Klan these robes were made by members of the Klansmen’s family, but in the new order of affairs the work of supplying these robes is a monopoly entirely in the hands of the national organization.
Members are not actually required to possess a robe, but it is generally the case that every man who comes into the movement is childishly eager to acquire one, whether he can use it in public or not. The organization does not “sell” the robes to members; it merely rents them, and members upon leaving the organization are required to return them to the head of the local Klan. The price charged a member for a robe is $6.50, while the Kleagle must pay $12 as his robe has more trimming. Made in large quantities, as they are being made, there ought to be a profit of at least $5 per garment, although I believe a New York garment maker could show a larger profit than that. According to “Emperor” Simmons, the present output is about six hundred robes a day. Orders are taken for the garments by Kleagles and Exalted Cyclops of the different Klans on measuring blanks printed especially for the purpose. The order is made out and addressed to the “Imperial Wizard,” but it is filled by the “Gate City Manufacturing Company” of Atlanta, Georgia. The records of Fulton County, Georgia, show that application for charter for this corporation was filed June 9, 1920, with C. B. Davis and Lottie B. Davis as incorporators. It shows a capital stock of $25,000, and states that “more than $5,000 has been paid in.” It also asks the right to increase its capitalization to $50,000. Its powers indicate that it is to engage in the manufacture and sale of lodge supplies,paraphernalia and equipment of all sorts for the use of lodges, secret societies, etc. The corporation apparently lay dormant for a year, as an order of court allowing the petition was only allowed on August 19, 1921. Until the incorporators met and organized there could have been no legal organization of the corporation. No reports as to business done had been filed in Fulton County up to the date of the court order above mentioned. This concern, however, has been doing business for several months prior to that time, as I received several shipments from them in April and May 1921.Who owns the Gate City Manufacturing Company? What connection has it with the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan? What becomes of the enormous profit derived from the sales of robes?
During the summer of 1921, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan purchased the handsome, colonial home of H. M. Durant on Peachtree Road, about five miles from Atlanta, at an approximate cost of $75,000. The purchase comprises a block of land about four hundred feet square. Extensive improvements, worthy of a real emperor’s palace are contemplated for this property, and it will be the headquarters of the “Imperial Palace.” The land will be cut up into gardens, small lakes and building sites. It is estimated that $30,000 worth of marble alone will be used. A handsome statue of General N. B. Forrest will be erected, and also a statue of “Emperor” William J. Simmons.There will be electric fountains, electric fiery crosses, lakes, boat houses and tennis courts. According to the “Emperor”: “There will be no manufacturing handled at the Palace. We now have a paraphernalia plant here turning out six hundred robes a day, in addition to other equipment, and we expect to erect in a short time a building with railroad frontage to be devoted exclusively to manufacturing.” It is also planned to take over a large printing plant. If this extensive program is carried out, there will be a huge enterprise with all the combined activities costing not less than $3,500,000.
While the organization has been buying land and engaging in real estate transactions, the Imperial Kleagle, as a side line, has also gone into the real estate business. On June 27, 1921, a petition was filed for charter for the “Clarke Realty Company” with Edward Young Clarke and Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler as incorporators, with authorized capital stock of $10,000 with privilege of increasing it to $100,000. The corporation seeks the right to deal generally in real estate. Just what real estate the “Clarke Realty Company” has bought, sold, leased, rented, or exchanged or acted as brokers for, has not appeared in print.
The functions of Clarke appear to be exclusively to propagate the work and organize Klans, after which they are turned over to Simmons. According to a statement made by Clarke to theWorldthe organization has onethousand chartered Klans, it requiring the services of two people engaged every day to write charters. After the Klans are chartered they are turned over to Simmons. In this connection, it would be well to turn back to the charter and note that under Section 7, the “business of the society shall be under the control of theImperial Wizard(President),” etc. This control is so thorough that in the secret constitution of the organization the term of office of the president is for life, and he can be removed only by the unanimous vote of his Imperial Kloncilium. The constitution also provides as follows:
“Article I, Section 2. The government of this order shall ever be military in character, most especially its management and control; and no legislative enactment or constitutional amendment hereafter forever shall encroach upon, effect or change this essential, fundamental principle of this order—The Invisible Empire.“Section 2. The government of this order shall be invested primarily in the Imperial Wizard, as Commander-in-chief or Emperor of the Invisible Empire.”
“Article I, Section 2. The government of this order shall ever be military in character, most especially its management and control; and no legislative enactment or constitutional amendment hereafter forever shall encroach upon, effect or change this essential, fundamental principle of this order—The Invisible Empire.
“Section 2. The government of this order shall be invested primarily in the Imperial Wizard, as Commander-in-chief or Emperor of the Invisible Empire.”
Acting in pursuance of the constitution, which provides that the organization is “military in character,” the propagation department functions in pretty much the same manner as the army handles its business. The Imperial Kleagle is virtually a Chief of Staff, or more properly an Adjutant General. The country is divided into eight “Domains” comprising certain States, each State being known as a“Realm,” which is again divided into districts where the actual field work is done.
The “Domain” is in command of a “Grand Goblin,” the “Realm” is under the jurisdiction of a “King Kleagle,” while the field organizer, having charge of certain territory, is known as a “Kleagle.”
The following is a list of the Domains with their respective Grand Goblins, revised to July 2, 1921:
1. Domain of the Southeast, composed of Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and the two Carolinas, with M. B. Owen, Box 1472, Atlanta, as Grand Goblin.
2. Western Domain, in charge of Grand Goblin George B. Kimbro, Jr., Box 1521, Houston, Texas, and composed of Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
3. Domain of the East, Grand Goblin Lloyd P. Hooper, Apartment 1, No. 320, Central Park West, New York City, in charge, composed of the State of New York.
4. Domain of the Great Lakes, in charge of Grand Goblin C. W. Love, with headquarters in Chicago, and composed of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota and Michigan.
5. Domain of the Mississippi Valley, in charge of Grand Goblin Frank A. Crippen, Box 951, St. Louis, composed of Nebraska,Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.
6. Domain of the Pacific Coast, in charge of Grand Goblin W. S. Coburn, No. 519 Haas Building, Los Angeles, composed of California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho.
7. Domain of the Northwest, consolidated with former Southwestern Domain and now part of new Western Domain.
8. Capitol Domain, in charge of Grand Goblin Harry B. Terrell, Box 5, 11th Street Station, Washington, D. C., and comprising the District of Columbia.
9. Atlantic Domain, in charge of Grand Goblin F. W. Atkins, with headquarters in Philadelphia, composed of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
10. New England Domain, in charge of Grand Goblin A. J. Pardon, Jr., with headquarters in Boston, and composed of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Unattached, Florida, to be in charge of King Kleagle S. A. Givens, who will report direct to the Imperial Kleagle and whose address is Box 1883, Jacksonville, Fla.
These “Domains” may be likened to divisions of an army, as they are in control of the spread of Ku Kluxism in the sections named, and the “Grand Goblin” reports direct to the “Imperial Kleagle.” Each State or “Realm” is like a regiment, and the King Kleagle reports to his immediate chief, the “Grand Goblin,”and not to the Atlanta headquarters. The “Kleagle” or field man makes his reports to the “King Kleagle” only. All communications sent to or received by him from the headquarters come through the channels of the “King Kleagle.” The system is so thoroughly military that if a member of the organization writes to Atlanta about any matter, the letter is sent through channels to the Kleagle for his action.
The Kleagle is empowered to administer the obligation, organize and instruct Klans, and collect the requisite and necessary “donation” of ten dollars. Out of this sum he retains four dollars per member for his services, and at the end of the week submits a report of his activities, remitting to the King Kleagle the six dollars balance due on each member secured. The King Kleagle retains one dollar a member for his services, and remits five dollars to the Grand Goblin of the Domain to which he is attached. The Grand Goblin is allowed to shave off fifty cents a member and remits $4.50 to the Imperial Kleagle, who in turn keeps $2.50 and pays into the treasury of the Imperial Palace the sum of $2.00 which is all of the original “donation” that actually reaches the organization. The whole system is carefully conducted as a well organized sales system, each official being required to file his returns each week on a form provided for that purpose. The following is a copy of the Kleagle’s weekly report form:
KLEAGLE'S WEEKLY REPORTLarger Image
Has the “Invisible Empire” a program?
According to its “Emperor” it not only has a program, but at the proper time it will put it forth. He made a statement which was printed in theSearchlighton July 2, 1921:
“I am not at all surprised, at the progress of the work, but of course gratified. I have never for one moment doubted that if God gave me strength and ‘men’ with which to lay before America the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that it would sweep the nation as nothing of the kind has ever done.“The Ku Klux Klan has not started to work. The enemies of the organization have been howling and back-biting and snapping at everything they could see or hear, and lying slanders have been spread broadcast about the organization and leaders and proposed work and present activity.“For the edification of those who do not know allow me to say that the Ku Klux Klan have not yet started to work and may not do so for a year. We are merely organizing at the present time and we do not intend to start any definite activity until we have sufficiently organized to make sure success.“To those who love fireworks—rhetorical and otherwise—allow me to suggest that they wait quietly until the Ku Klux Klan passes through its organizing period and actually starts work. The attacks that have so far been launched will appear significant when the atmosphere becomes surcharged with the shrieks of the enemies of law and order, constitutional principles, and real Americanism, as these forces feel the tightening grip of the Klan around them and they come to the realization that they are whipped.“It will be then, and not till then, that the real anathemas will be hurled at the organization and its leaders, but it will have as little weight and do as little harm as all the lies that have been spread broadcast up to the present time.“And those who have deliberately maligned and slandered us are going to wake some day to a very unpleasant situation. We are keeping records and making plans. The day of our activity has not arrived.”
“I am not at all surprised, at the progress of the work, but of course gratified. I have never for one moment doubted that if God gave me strength and ‘men’ with which to lay before America the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, that it would sweep the nation as nothing of the kind has ever done.
“The Ku Klux Klan has not started to work. The enemies of the organization have been howling and back-biting and snapping at everything they could see or hear, and lying slanders have been spread broadcast about the organization and leaders and proposed work and present activity.
“For the edification of those who do not know allow me to say that the Ku Klux Klan have not yet started to work and may not do so for a year. We are merely organizing at the present time and we do not intend to start any definite activity until we have sufficiently organized to make sure success.
“To those who love fireworks—rhetorical and otherwise—allow me to suggest that they wait quietly until the Ku Klux Klan passes through its organizing period and actually starts work. The attacks that have so far been launched will appear significant when the atmosphere becomes surcharged with the shrieks of the enemies of law and order, constitutional principles, and real Americanism, as these forces feel the tightening grip of the Klan around them and they come to the realization that they are whipped.
“It will be then, and not till then, that the real anathemas will be hurled at the organization and its leaders, but it will have as little weight and do as little harm as all the lies that have been spread broadcast up to the present time.
“And those who have deliberately maligned and slandered us are going to wake some day to a very unpleasant situation. We are keeping records and making plans. The day of our activity has not arrived.”
This intemperate language of Simmons was even exceeded at a meeting held on the night of August 25, 1921, in Philadelphia, which was reported in a press telegram as follows:
“A narrow pathway leading to a woodland glade, and every fifty feet a masked and white-robed sentinel. Within the little clearing an altar, and beside it the banner of the nation with the night wind rustling through the folds. Formed in hollow square around the glade rank on rank of masked spectres. A deep voice echoing through the darkness.“‘Imperial One, the men who seek admission to our legions stand prepared!’“Line after line the candidates marched in, led by a gigantic masker who bore high overhead the Fiery Cross. The candidates marched before the scrutinizing ranks of silent Klansmen. Then every man—veteran Klansmen and new-made members—bowed before the American flag and through the night boomed out the watchword of the order:“‘All men in America must honor that flag—if we must make them honor it on their knees!’“Then, in a blaze of sudden light, the Grand Goblin of the Realm, a towering form in white and scarlet uniform, appeared at the north end of the glade. Cheers received him. His speech was brief.“‘America for real Americans!’ he cried. ‘Guardianship against the alien, the anarchist and all who would subvert that banner, be they white, or black or yellow!’ the voice thundered through the ranks. ‘The Ku Klux are misrepresented and vilified. Americans do not realize that they sleep on a red volcano’s edge. They sleep; they let petty politicians hold the helm; they make no preparationsfor the perils yet to come. The enemies of true American principles are myriad. They are organized; they plot; they scheme—they go unchallenged and unhindered.“‘It is the place of the Ku Klux Klan to rouse the spirit of the real American and to stand guard against the evil forces that seek to stifle this mightiest of nations. Be the foes white, black or yellow; be they native traitors or alien invaders, the Klan shall form a ring of steel to throttle their every devil’s scheme. We, the Ku Klux Klan; we, the Invisible Empire, rally to aid the faltering hands of our law—and to protect our homes, our lives, our people and our nation’s future against a wave of living hell!’”
“A narrow pathway leading to a woodland glade, and every fifty feet a masked and white-robed sentinel. Within the little clearing an altar, and beside it the banner of the nation with the night wind rustling through the folds. Formed in hollow square around the glade rank on rank of masked spectres. A deep voice echoing through the darkness.
“‘Imperial One, the men who seek admission to our legions stand prepared!’
“Line after line the candidates marched in, led by a gigantic masker who bore high overhead the Fiery Cross. The candidates marched before the scrutinizing ranks of silent Klansmen. Then every man—veteran Klansmen and new-made members—bowed before the American flag and through the night boomed out the watchword of the order:
“‘All men in America must honor that flag—if we must make them honor it on their knees!’
“Then, in a blaze of sudden light, the Grand Goblin of the Realm, a towering form in white and scarlet uniform, appeared at the north end of the glade. Cheers received him. His speech was brief.
“‘America for real Americans!’ he cried. ‘Guardianship against the alien, the anarchist and all who would subvert that banner, be they white, or black or yellow!’ the voice thundered through the ranks. ‘The Ku Klux are misrepresented and vilified. Americans do not realize that they sleep on a red volcano’s edge. They sleep; they let petty politicians hold the helm; they make no preparationsfor the perils yet to come. The enemies of true American principles are myriad. They are organized; they plot; they scheme—they go unchallenged and unhindered.
“‘It is the place of the Ku Klux Klan to rouse the spirit of the real American and to stand guard against the evil forces that seek to stifle this mightiest of nations. Be the foes white, black or yellow; be they native traitors or alien invaders, the Klan shall form a ring of steel to throttle their every devil’s scheme. We, the Ku Klux Klan; we, the Invisible Empire, rally to aid the faltering hands of our law—and to protect our homes, our lives, our people and our nation’s future against a wave of living hell!’”
In order to keep the various units in touch with each other, the Propagation Department sends out each week a “News-letter” filled with extracts from reports of different workers. These letters are supposed to be read at the meetings of the Klans, and I found that they were listened to with great attention. It is quite likely that many hundreds of reports are received each week from all over the United States, and the fact that the Propagation Department selects for distribution these special extracts must indicate what the leaders wish Klansmen as a whole to believe about the movement, and what should be the objects they are to work for. It is also to be noted how well the letters reflect the extent to which the Klans have absorbed the moral and political poison of Ku Kluxism under the sugar coating of “social purity,” “one hundred per cent Americanism,” “motherhood,” and all the otheret ceteras. This sugar coating is especially evident in the following extract of June 18, 1921:
“At eight o’clock one hundred Klansmen in robes marched down the main street to the park. They carried banners, the first about the head of the procession, bearingthe inscription, ‘The Invisible Empire, here yesterday, here today, here forever.’ The second banner about the middle of the procession stated, ‘Rockmart Must Be Clean for Our Mothers, for Our Wives, for Our Daughters—The Guilty Must Pay.’ Then came the third and last banner reading, ‘White Supremacy,’ and on the reverse side, ‘Grafters, Gamblers and Thieves Must Go.’ There were about twelve hundred gathered around the speakers’ stand and the old citizens say it was about the biggest gathering ever held in Rockmart.“The meeting was opened with singing ‘My Country, ’Tis of Thee,’ by the entire gathering. This was followed by prayer led by Rev. F. J. Mashburn. Then the Reverend Mashburn made the introductory speech, in which he paid his respect to those who tried to dissuade him from having anything to do with the meeting. Doctor Mashburn paid eloquent tribute to the men in robes. He said that his father was one of the members of the original Ku Klux Klan and that he felt he had been singularly honored when requested to introduce the chief speaker of the evening, Col. J. Q. Nolan of Atlanta. Colonel Nolan followed Doctor Mashburn with an eloquent address, in which he clearly and forcefully explained the aims and purposes of the order. His hold on the audience was absolute and he was frequently interrupted with applause. His tribute to motherhood was one of the sublimest word paintings ever uttered. On the platform with the speakers were Hon. J. A. Fambro, mayor of Rockmart, members of the City Council and two members of the Klan.”
“At eight o’clock one hundred Klansmen in robes marched down the main street to the park. They carried banners, the first about the head of the procession, bearingthe inscription, ‘The Invisible Empire, here yesterday, here today, here forever.’ The second banner about the middle of the procession stated, ‘Rockmart Must Be Clean for Our Mothers, for Our Wives, for Our Daughters—The Guilty Must Pay.’ Then came the third and last banner reading, ‘White Supremacy,’ and on the reverse side, ‘Grafters, Gamblers and Thieves Must Go.’ There were about twelve hundred gathered around the speakers’ stand and the old citizens say it was about the biggest gathering ever held in Rockmart.
“The meeting was opened with singing ‘My Country, ’Tis of Thee,’ by the entire gathering. This was followed by prayer led by Rev. F. J. Mashburn. Then the Reverend Mashburn made the introductory speech, in which he paid his respect to those who tried to dissuade him from having anything to do with the meeting. Doctor Mashburn paid eloquent tribute to the men in robes. He said that his father was one of the members of the original Ku Klux Klan and that he felt he had been singularly honored when requested to introduce the chief speaker of the evening, Col. J. Q. Nolan of Atlanta. Colonel Nolan followed Doctor Mashburn with an eloquent address, in which he clearly and forcefully explained the aims and purposes of the order. His hold on the audience was absolute and he was frequently interrupted with applause. His tribute to motherhood was one of the sublimest word paintings ever uttered. On the platform with the speakers were Hon. J. A. Fambro, mayor of Rockmart, members of the City Council and two members of the Klan.”
In another letter from an Exalted Cyclops the sugar coating has largely disappeared. The author has lost sight of the small town “purity” reflected in the above letter, but feels that he will soon be called upon to march as a crusader against the foe. He writes: