Rasp
Senior Editor
The following text is a digital copy of one of the volumes in our library--the New Nation News Racialist Reading Room [NNNRRR]. The content may only be used for personal, educational or non-commercial purposes.
This brochure is affectionately dedicated to Klansmen and patriots everywhere and to the one woman who is the inspiration of my life.
The Author wishes to pay a personal tribute to the immortals who gave birth to the Invisible Empire, —Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his co-patriots. He also wishes to pay tribute to two others, who though they may not realize it, have written their names high on the roster of American patriots and immortals—Col. William Joseph Simmons, whose dreams and unselfish labors made possible the reincarnation of the Ku Klux Klan, and Edward Young Clarke, the Napoleon of modern organizers, the man who through unjust suffering has grown into a great Statesman a patriot, friend of men, and genius of the hour.
History will place a wreath upon the brow of these. I place mine now.
To All One Hundred Percent Americans:
Greeting: This brochure is my personal contribution to the most remarkable movement or modern times. I wish for my thousands of friends in America something of pleasure and inspiration as they read these pages. The book is in briefest, gist form and is written for interpretation and instruction.
There are forces at work In America which, if allowed to continue, will undermine the pillars of the temple of our civilization. These forces are led by enemies of popular, free, government and Protestant institutions. The Ku Klux Klan is a protest against these forces and a resolve to secure our American institutions unto our children forever.
The Author sincerely hopes this work will make a contribution to real Americanism, to American Protestantism, and that it may develop the patriots in our land.
Atlanta, Ga., July I4, 1922.
The Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is the most remarkable movement of modern times. You will observe that I use the term "movement." Many people are in the habit of thinking of the Ku Klux Klan as a great, mystical, if not mythological fraternity. It is strange and weird. But it is infinitely more than that: It is an expression of a great nation's thought stirred by a consciousness of the presence of wrong. This movement is remarkable for many reasons.
It is remarkable in its origin. No movement in the history of the world was ever born as was this one. It is an effect, which, in turn, strange as it may seem, has become a great world cause. The Ku Klux Klan was born in the most strenuous period of American history, the period of Southern Reconstruction.
Let me paint for you a picture which will at once make clear the origin of the movement, and also set forth the logical methods which grew out of it.
I see them now: General Robert E. Lee, than whom no finer gentleman, no braver soldier, no truer patriot, no greater man was ever born; and by his side, General Ulysses S. Grant, another soldier, patriot and statesman. The occasion was the surrender of Lee and the Southern Confederacy to the overpowering forces of the Union. The final words had been spoken, the war between the States had come to an end; swords had been placed in their scabbards never to be drawn again, and guns and other accoutrements of war were now useless except as relics of the strangest struggle of the world's history. General Lee had spoken to his army; he had looked into faces of thousands of them as they wept like children, their hearts breaking over the Lost Cause. Hungry, ragged, discouraged, poverty stricken, these soldiers of the South turned their faces homeward, to their mothers, wives and sweethearts who had been wrestling with poverty and exhaustion of all resources. There were never such hearts as these in the world's history. They went back to their homes now in poverty, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and everything gone, and above all, their wealth lost in the freedom of the slaves.
These men who had for four years fought with a bravery that challenged the admiration of the world now turned their thoughts to the rebuilding of their homes, their farms, their fortunes and their civilization. For a little while everything worked well. And then a dark cloud arose, a carpet-bagger cloud led by political mountebanks and crooked men, scalawags who not only wished, but dared to crush the life of these noble southern men and women, and to put in their stead for leadership of the people the recently emancipated slave.
In a few months time all law had been abrogated. There was no law. The legislature of South Carolina was made up wholly of negroes; ignorant ex-slaves were made sheriff, constable, magistrate, and were given entire control of the political and legal life of various counties. Pandemonium reigned everywhere. Obedient, docile, industrious slaves of a few months before, through the agitation of crooks and demagogues, and by the use of whiskey were turned into demons. These black men who a few months before would have died to protect the womanhood of the southland, men who during the four years of the war did protect the womanhood of the southland, were, like ravenous beast of the jungle, bellowing for blood. Fear and desperation seized the people; no home was safe; humiliation, disgrace and sorrow covered the earth like the waters cover the sea. The Federal soldier stood guard over the negro and protected the carpet-bagger and the scalawag. Hope was gone.
It was at a time like this that the Ku Klux Klan was born.
The other picture is as follows: In a beautiful little city of North Carolina the ex-slaves were put into power. The sheriff of the county was a boisterous and dangerous negro; he had around him a large number of free men who, fired by whiskey, the carpet-bagger and scalawags, were mad for spoil, for position, for dominion and rulership. The sheriff and his henchmen conceived the idea of possessing all the wealth of the county, so, upon a certain night, he called together his henchmen, and in the wee small hours of the night they assembled in the cellar of a famous old colonial home, a home sold by force from under a family of culture and wealth, and then occupied by the sheriff. After lengthy discussion these men entered into a solemn oath, and bound themselves to massacre several of the leading families of the county, with the understanding that all of their property be confiscated and divided among themselves. This solemn oath was written out and signed in their own blood.
It happened, however, that there were klansmen in those days, and their eyes were open to all the mischief making movements. One of these noble men was in this secret conclave in these midnight hours.
Before daylight the next morning the Exalted Cyclops of the county had all the details of that meeting, and by daylight couriers were speeding upon the highway as fast as the fleetest footed horses could carry them. Their message to Klansmen of adjoining counties was, "Meet at a certain ford on the river at sundown tonight!"
Dauntless men rode that day; and by sundown, from the north, the south, the east and from the west came men whose hearts throbbed with love of home, country and civilization. And as darkness came on, hundreds of robed horses whose feet were muffled, fell into line and moved to the city. Riding single file these brave men surrounded the town and the sheriff's home, making a circle complete. Then they rode two abreast, making a circle complete, until they rode four abreast. Then a whistle sounded, and the hundreds of men were as silent as death. They dismounted. And In the stillness of the night and the solemnity of the hour, ten separate numbers were called,—for in the Ku Klux Klan no name was ever called. These ten numbers represented ten noblemen, ten courageous, true and tried sons of the Old South, sons of the greatest aristocracy the world ever knew, knights, patriots, soldiers, all.
The men responded, and the spokesman of the occasion gave the following instructions: "Go into the house, and bring me the sheriff."
They went in and searched the house, but the sheriff was nowhere to be found. They returned and so reported.
The instructions then were: "Go to the front door, enter it, turn to the first door to the right, put back the carpet, open the trapdoor, go into the cellar, and bring me the sheriff." ...
The order was obeyed, and in five minutes the sheriff stood before the most mysterious body of men the world ever saw.
Remember, will you, that there was no law at that time, that the court house did not mean anything. This man was tried by these men, found guilty because the document was produced which he had signed in his own blood declaring that he would lead a mob to massacre the leading white families of the county. The next morning a sheriff dangled from a limb of a tree in the court house yard. From that day until this, peace and safety have ever reigned in all that region of North Carolina.
Who is the man of this age and generation who will say these men did wrong? They would not do more; they could not do less. Today the world bows to do them honor.
So civilization hung in the balance; chivalry was receiving its supremest test; for however dark the days of war may have been, these days of Reconstruction were the darkest days of all in the history of this earth. Men's souls were tried. Everything that was holy, good and worth while in the South was about to be destroyed. These men resorted to the only remedy, and the application of the remedy was swift and successful.
I declare to you that the spirit of the Ku Klux Klan in its beginning is the same spirit that predominates it today. The spirit and purpose of the Ku Klux Klan have always been one; the application and methods alone are different.
This movement is also remarkable for its IDEALISM. It gathers up into itself all the holy traditions, hopes, aspirations, dreams, purposes and the faith of the Anglo-Saxon and Protestant fathers. It is not sordid, and it does not work for paltry pelf; nor will it sell out for gold. Its idealism is born in a passion to free man from all wrongs, prejudices and unrighteous usurpations of power. It works where all others have failed or are failing; it recognizes God's law as supreme. If God has made a man white the Invisible Empire would not make him black or half-black. It recognizes God's right to create the races and to set their bounds. It bows to God's plans and reverently follows where He leads.
It also recognizes the right of all men to be free. It protects with all its soul against any and all encroachments, be they political, ecclesiastical or social upon any and all the institutions of freedom which have come to flower and glory in the United States of America. It dreams of a free nation in which each and every individual shall enjoy all the rights of our sacred constitution. It will die that men may be free.
This movement, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is also remarkable because of its MYSTICISM. It is hard for the uninitiated to understand or appreciate its meaning. Its mysteries are only understood by those on the inside. Its helmet, shroud, fiery cross, and other emblems and symbols are each profoundly significant, and is the expression of the highest patriotism, the most sublime devotion to the right as God shall lead men to know it and see it, to be found anywhere in the world. Somehow it carries with it an atmosphere of warning to the unrighteous and to the bad, and to the designing. It carries with it an inspiration to all true and noble men. It is at once a challenge and a warning. It challenges the pure, patriotic, sincere son of America; but it is a solemn warning to the bad, the designing, the unscrupulous demagogue.
It is my purpose now to answer as clearly and as definitely as I know, several questions that naturally arise with reference to this movement. The first question I desire to ask, and answer, is:
Primarily, I will say that the Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is a movement that ELICITS, COMBINES and DIRECTS the white, native-born, Protestant, Gentile manhood of America. It not only elicits and combines these men, but directs them. It is to be seen, therefore, that the membership of this organization is both exclusive and inclusive, and that it is militant in its operation. It elicits, combines and directs Protestants.
It includes all Anglo-Saxons who are native-born, and who are of the Protestant faith. It eludes all who are not white men, who are not native-born, and who are not Protestants. It eliminates the negro; and yet the Ku Klux Klan is not anti-negro; it simply eliminates him from its membership. It eliminates all men of color, be they men of the African race, Mongolian race or Malay race. This is an organization of white men for purposes that are congenial to white men.
It eliminates the Roman Catholic, because all Catholics owe their first allegiance to a foreign ecclesiastical power. They have not and can not have a first allegiance to our flag; they are not and can not be true Catholics and 100 per cent Americans.
The Ku Klux Klan does not deny the right to any man to be a Roman Catholic if he wants to be one, to kiss the toe of the Pope if he wants to do that, or practice any other of the thousand unthinkable things accepted by Catholics; they have a right to worship as they please. But it refuses to take into its membership in a fraternal way such men, believing that to do so would be detrimental to all our institutions of liberty, the sublimest achievements of the human race up to this time.
This movement also excludes the Jew, because he is not an Anglo-Saxon, because he does not accept the fundamentals of our Protestant faith, because he does not accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In fact, the Ku Klux Klan excludes from its membership all men who are not in sympathy with and in harmony with those fundamental institutions of liberty which differentiate us from all other nations of the earth. America is a Protestant nation; her institutions are Protestant institutions, and Protestant men must and will defend them and conserve them unto posterity at any price.
The Ku Klux Klan is also a SPIRITUAL movement, for it gives expression to the highest spiritual ideals of the race. It is almost a new religion in the minds of some. But I hasten to say that it is not a new religion, but is an expression of the old-time, heaven-born, heartfelt, Holy Spirit inspired religion of our fathers. Its spirit was given birth in the old-time Camp meetings of the South, in the great revivals that have stirred the nation since the days of its founding. It is an expression of real, deep, spiritual experiences that have found a place in the lives of free men.
The Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, is also a mighty CONVICTION, a conviction that lies deep in the consciences of free men, a conviction that will take no denial. It is a conviction that Protestantism means something to the world. It believes that Roman Catholicism is both a menace and a curse; it believes that God has set white men to be the leaders of this world; it believes that it is a crime to mix the races by intermarriage: it believes that God set the bounds of the races, and it also believes that the Protestant institutions which differentiate America from any of the other nations of the earth are better than others, and it resolves to give these principles of freedom to all men everywhere.
The Ku Klux Klan has been variously described as a "Tar And Feather" crowd, as "Mid-night Riders," as "Terrors To All Common Decency" and many other strange and unthinkable designations.
Let us now turn the white light of truth upon this remarkable movement, for the truth must be burned into the mind of every red-blooded American citizen. I make the following statement unequivocally, that a Klamsman however humble may be his walk in life, is a better citizen and has a higher regard for law and order than any other man in all the world, who has not passed through similar experiences, to those which have become a part of his life and thought. Now let as prove that statement.
I see him now, the earnest American citizen, entering the Klavern that he may enter into sacred and holy relationship with his brethren. He approaches an altar as the room is darkened. Upon this altar the American flag is spread before him, upon this flag the living Word of God rests. The Holy Book is open at Romans the XII Chapter. This earnest citizen bows his knees before the altar and then looks up into the glow of the mysterious "Fiery Cross" an emblem at once of the sacrifices and death of his Lord, and of the light of the world. This cross glows with a brilliancy and significance that he has not realized before. To his left another flag is mounted and her sacred folds rap about him as he places his left hand upon his heart and raises his right hand to heaven and assumes a thrice binding oath in which he pledges himself forever to support the laws of the city, the state and the nation. Mortal man has never assumed a more solemn or sacred oath. From that moment the Klansman is bound by his oath to support the Government and the Constitution of the United States. He has sworn to place his flag, his country, his Government above any government or power, political or ecclesiastical in all the world. He pledges his life, his property, and his sacred honor to forever protect and to perpetuate the Protestant institutions of this country, for all our institutions in America are Protestant. Please do not tell me that any man who travels this road is not one of the noblest, most dependable, true, and useful citizens to be found in our country.
Again this same citizen upon his knees assumes a thrice binding oath, in which he pledges himself to the protection of the American Home, and the sanctity of American woman-hood. Thus he would protect the foundations of our civilization and the beginning of all law and order. He swears that he will protect American woman-hood from the advances of unscrupulous men, who would violate her sweetness of girl-hood and chastity of mother-hood.
Moveover this same nobleman swears that he will defend the principles of established Liberty; the unhampered rights of worship; the freedom of the press; just laws; free speech; the unhampered freedom of conscience and mind; American public schools and all other Constitutional rights, which have been bequeathed to us in the blood of our fathers.
This nobleman, with millions of others like him, believe that the institutions of the United States are Protestant institutions. Our government was bequeathed to us through the sacrifices and suffering of our Protestant fathers. He pledges himself to protect this heritage, and any and all other of the sacred institutions which have been handed down to us from the past. Thus he takes his stand for those principles and institutions which differentiates us from any and all the other nations of the world and from any and all secret and fraternal orders in the world. America, rocked in the cradle of Liberty and religious freedom made by broad minded Protestants, is different from any other country in the world, and it is a better Government than any other Government dedicated to by the narrow visions of ecclesiastical bigots and popish autocrats.
It is to these glorious sentiments, these lofty principles, that each and every Klansman has sternly pledged his devotion, in an unalterable and serious determination, which makes him a patriot today and forever.
Klansman believes that a dual Government is impossible, that no individual or body of men within the bounds of our Government can justly or in any other way take the law into their own hands. A Klansman will not take the life of a traitor or of traitors by mob law. A Klansman cannot violate the law. He is oath bound to support constitutional laws. He will help prosecute and will cause to be prosecuted any man who violates the law and will cause to be punished any man who is a traitor to his country.
It is a fact that the Government can depend upon Klansman when it cannot depend upon others. Wives may trust their husbands who kneel at the sacred altar and before the Fiery Cross of the Klavern. Mothers may trust their sons who pass this way and sweethearts may trust their lovers who have sufficient courage, chivalry and patriotism to pass this way. Of such men nations are built. Such men are the hope and the leaders of the world. Such men become the foundation of all law and order. At this hour they are the hope of America and America is the hope of the world.
Let us mention a few or these fundamental institutions of Protestant freedom:
This sacred institution cost the lives of millions of men, and centuries of struggle on the part of the white people of the earth. It is a child of Protestantism. A free church in a free state is the only solution of the question, and such men as Jefferson, Hamilton, Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson have again and aqain shown to the world the priceless value of this position.
The other institutions are: FREEDOM OF SPEECH,FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, RIGHT OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY AND OF PETITION and FREE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION FOR THE WORLD. All of the institutions which from the day of the Declaration of Independence have set us apart and differentiated us from other nations of the world, are sacred to us, and we will die for them if needs be.
The Ku Klux Klan believes that these institutions constitute the hope of the world, politically, socially, morally, and religiously, and they have set themselves to interpret them, and guard them unto death.
POLITICALLY this movement is not a party, but depends upon honest, intelligent, informed men moving in solid phalanx at the ballot box as the hope of the nation. These men, therefore, will at the ballot box battle not for party, but for principle, and they propose to put men who are 100 per cent American in charge of the affairs of the nation, and to see that these men are true to the principles for which we stand. This movement takes the stand that no man who is not a Protstant, and therefore not in favor of our American, Protestant institutions can be 100 per cent American. Others may be loyal men, in a way, and very patriotic; but a 100 per cent American is a man or woman who believes in our distinctive American institutions which are Protestant institutions, and subscribes to them unto death.
From the standpoint of Law this remarkable movement does not presume to be the Law or ever to become the Law. It is the first in the land to recognize the Law and dedicate all of its powers unto the maintenance of law and order. It stands back of the President of the United States, of Congress, of the Supreme Court, of governors of the states, sheriffs of the counties, and policemen, and swears an everlasting allegiance to them and loyalty to them in helping to suppress the wrong and maintain the right.
SOCIALLY, this movement is an association of kind. It is a coming together of men who think alike, men who have like political and religious experiences. They recognize the fact that God has made men different one from another, and has set their bounds, and that it is wrong to break down what God has forever established.
This movement is also a remarkable FRATERNITY. Its ritual is the most beautiful, the most sublime, and the most inspiring in the world. It has in it all that those who love ritual may enjoy. It has the element of instruction for all, and an inspiration that can not be found anywhere else except in a Klavern, where such noblemen assemble. It satisfies the social and other instincts of men.
Finally, let me say, with great force, that the Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is not an "ANTI" organization. It is not "ANTI"- anybody or anything. It is positively and forever a "PRO" organization. It stands for America, for Americans, and Americans for America. It does not work against any one; it works for those who have the first rights in this great land of ours. It has distinctive convictions with reference to immigration, and is jealous of all the sons and daughters of America, descendants of the fathers who purchased this nation with their own blood. It stands for all our distinctive American, Protestant institutions; it stands for them with a definiteness and a positiveness that the world can not mistake or fail to understand.
The second question I wish to answer is:
My answer to this question is that the Constitution of the United States grants unto all citizens the right of Public Assembly, Free Speech, and the right to organize for Religious, Political, Social and Fraternal purposes. It also grants the right to all citizens to select the company in the organizations with which they cast their lot. No man has the right to question or try to hinder the citizenry of this nation in religious, political, social or fraternal organizations. The Ku Klux Klan probably covers more ground than any other political, social, religious or fraternal organization in America; for the movement, while it is primarily a secret, fraternal order, is at the same time religious, social and political. The Constitution of the nation is therefore back of it, and sustains it. When the Constitution of the nation speaks, let every tongue forever be silent.
But there are those who contend that the membership of the organization is too exclusive, and that for that reason it should he suppressed.
My answer is, that all religious, social, political and fraternal organizations in America are both INCLUSIVE and EXCLUSIVE in their membership. Masonry is both inclusive and exclusive, both as to color, faith and moral quality. The Roman Catholic organization known as the Knights of Columbus, is exclusive. Who ever heard of a Protestant man having membership in the Knights of Columbus?
The Jews have their organization, secret, military, and all but despotic—the B'nai B'rith. Do you suppose a Gentile could gain membership in that organization?
Even our churches are inclusive and exclusive in their membership.
The Ku Klux Klan includes all white, native-born Protestant Americans; it excludes all others. In this the Constitution, even in its spirit, is not violated.
But there it another question that has agitated the minds of a great many, and I wish with all earnestness and definiteness to answer this question once and for all. The question is:
The answer to this question is of national and even of worldwide importance; hence we can not deal with the matter lightly, but should answer it with all seriousness and honesty. I shall thus try to answer the question.
But before we take up the matter directly of the necessity for this organization, I wish to call your attention to the fact that in this nation of ours there are three great segments of our population organized into powerful and purposeful secret fraternities. These fraternities are clannish, and their aims are definite.
FIRST. Ten millions of our negro people are organized into secret fraternities. They are organized along definite lines and for definite purposes. I shall not stop to dwell on the report that they are organized, a majority of them, by members of the Roman Catholic church, who acting in secret, are endeavoring to create for the cause of Roman Catholicism a great force to be used in the time of need. This report is very significant. We hope this report is untrue for only sorrow could come of it.
Archbishop Ireland said not many years ago, "We can have the United States in ten years, and I want to give you three points for your consideration, the Indians, the Negroes and the common schools."
Roman Catholicism in America is obeying its leadership in its attempt to organize the negroes of the country in behalf of Rome.
Let us suppose for a moment that the purposes of these negro organizations of the country were carried out. What would be the result? I make haste to say that if the purposes of these organizations were executed tomorrow our nation would be plunged into ruin. This is not a country to be ruled by the negro race. It is a white man's country, and will forever be so. God has set the bounds of the negro race, and every instinct of his being, and every capacity that he knows do not and can not qualify him for leadership of the Anglo-Saxon race.
For 6000 years the negro walked over the diamonds of Kimberly and the gold of Ophir, but he never polished a diamond, nor did he ever convert gold into coin. For 6000 years he walked beneath the finest trees of the planet, and yet he never produced an instrument with which to fell one of them, or to convert one of them into lumber for the building of a house. For 6000 years the negro swam the great streams of the earth, and yet he never produced a canoe or ship with which to navigate one of these streams. He is one of the oldest races of the earth, yet not a single invention of importance has he added to the civilization of the world. Hewers of wood, and drawers of water,—this is his destiny.
The negro societies of the United States are organized for social equality; but social equality is impossible, for it presupposes amalgamation of the two races. I know of no crime against civilization that could be greater than to attempt to destroy the races as God Almighty has produced them. The glory of the negro race is and is to be in its own identity, and not in its mixture with the other races of the earth. The negro race can not be absorbed by the Anglo-Saxon, for one-eighth negro and seven-eights Anglo-Saxon is sterile to the Anglo-Saxon race, and can not produce. And even with this proportion of Anglo-Saxon blood there is an inevitable reversion to type, by which God Almighty says, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no further." Not only is common judgment against such a thing, but the instincts of the Anglo-Saxon race are forever behind it. Here again God has set the bounds. Even the odor of the negro is objectionable in all climates and at all times to the Anglo-Saxon. All the instincts, hopes, purposes, and racial ambitions are different; there is nothing in common which could ever recommend or suggest social equality.
At the close of the great world war two negro soldiers were returning from France. When they came into New York harbor they were thinking seriously and fast, "Will our experiences at home be different from what they have been in the past?" They had been spoiled by the women of the lower world in France. They were coming back to Protestant, Anglo-Saxon, America, and were greatly disturbed in their thinking. One boy said to the other:
"Bill, when you git off dis here ship, and sets yore feet on American soil, what is you gwine to do?" Bill replied:
"When I git off dis here ship, and sets my feet on American soil, I'm gwine to buy me a fine white suit, white socks, white shoes, white tie, white hat, and I'm gwine down town an' git me a pretty white gal, an' I'm gwine to walk right down Broadway with her. What you gwine do, Sam?" Sam replied:
"Well, when I gits off dis here ship, an' sets my feet on American soil, I'm gwine down town an' buy me a black suit, black socks, black shoes, black tie, black hat, git some crepe an' tie it around my arm, an' nigger, I'm GWINE TO YORE FUNERAL."
I listen to this negro's reply as it echoes and re-echoes around this nation, and ask this question, was this lone negro boy, speaking for himself only, or was he interpreting a nation's conscience. The fact is, he was speaking for every white man in America, he was interpreting America's ideals. No, social equality will never be in this world until crepe hangs on the doorknob of heaven and it is officially announced that God is dead, and the bounds of the nations have been forever obliterated.
The Ku Klux Klan is not opposed to the negro, but is the avowed friend of the negro. And in his place in the nation, if he is clean, honest and industrious the negro will always find a helping hand.
SECOND: The Jews of the nation,—and no man knows how many there are in America,—have organized into a great secret and powerful, purposeful fraternity, B'nai B'rith. Do you suppose for a moment that this organization operates in the interest of American institutions, free speech, free press, free public schools, separation of church and state? The fact is, the Jewa are not, never have been, and never will be interested in these things. But they have a powerful organization that can touch and direct every Jew in the nation in four hours time. This means something.
Let us suppose for a moment that the purposes of this organization are carried out in this nation, or let us suppose that the idealism of the Jews was carried out in this country. I can not think of a greater calamity that could befall our country, for the Jew is not interested in civilization as we have made it. He has had but one passion, one goal, and one interest,—gold. He is not interested in our institutions.
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THE KU KLUX KLAN
Its
ORIGIN, MEANING AND SCOPE OF
OPERATION
By
C. LEWIS FOWLER, D. D., LL. D.
Lecturer—Chautauqua and Lyceum
Author of "Our Lord's Baptism"
Formerly President of Lexington College,
and of Cox College
Founder and Sometime President of Lanier University.
Price 50 Cents
Atlanta, Ga.
P. O. Box 1828
Other Books Now Ready
"Rome—A Menace to Modern Civilization"
"The Jew—A Menace to Modern Civilization"
Same price as "The Ku Klux Klan"
+ + + + + + + + +
DEDICATED
THE KU KLUX KLAN
Its
ORIGIN, MEANING AND SCOPE OF
OPERATION
By
C. LEWIS FOWLER, D. D., LL. D.
Lecturer—Chautauqua and Lyceum
Author of "Our Lord's Baptism"
Formerly President of Lexington College,
and of Cox College
Founder and Sometime President of Lanier University.
Price 50 Cents
Atlanta, Ga.
P. O. Box 1828
Other Books Now Ready
"Rome—A Menace to Modern Civilization"
"The Jew—A Menace to Modern Civilization"
Same price as "The Ku Klux Klan"
+ + + + + + + + +
DEDICATED
This brochure is affectionately dedicated to Klansmen and patriots everywhere and to the one woman who is the inspiration of my life.
—THE AUTHOR.
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A PERSONAL TRIBUTE
A PERSONAL TRIBUTE
The Author wishes to pay a personal tribute to the immortals who gave birth to the Invisible Empire, —Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his co-patriots. He also wishes to pay tribute to two others, who though they may not realize it, have written their names high on the roster of American patriots and immortals—Col. William Joseph Simmons, whose dreams and unselfish labors made possible the reincarnation of the Ku Klux Klan, and Edward Young Clarke, the Napoleon of modern organizers, the man who through unjust suffering has grown into a great Statesman a patriot, friend of men, and genius of the hour.
History will place a wreath upon the brow of these. I place mine now.
—THE AUTHOR.
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PREFACE
PREFACE
To All One Hundred Percent Americans:
Greeting: This brochure is my personal contribution to the most remarkable movement or modern times. I wish for my thousands of friends in America something of pleasure and inspiration as they read these pages. The book is in briefest, gist form and is written for interpretation and instruction.
There are forces at work In America which, if allowed to continue, will undermine the pillars of the temple of our civilization. These forces are led by enemies of popular, free, government and Protestant institutions. The Ku Klux Klan is a protest against these forces and a resolve to secure our American institutions unto our children forever.
The Author sincerely hopes this work will make a contribution to real Americanism, to American Protestantism, and that it may develop the patriots in our land.
Yours in the faith,
C. LEWIS FOWLER.
C. LEWIS FOWLER.
Atlanta, Ga., July I4, 1922.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. The Ku Klux Klan
II. What Is This Remarkable Thing?
III. Separation of Church and State
IV. Has the Protestant, Native Born, White Manhood of America a Right to Organize Into a Movement Such As the Ku Klux Klan?
V. Should the White, Native Born, Protestant Manhood of America Organize a Movement Such As the Ku Klux Klan?
VI. Two Theories of Government in Deadly Conflict
VII. The Theory of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy
VIII. Can and Will the Ku Klux Klan Accomplish The Task Which She Has Set For Herself?
a. Origin
b. Two Illustrative Stories
c. Its Idealism
d. Its Mysticism
b. Two Illustrative Stories
c. Its Idealism
d. Its Mysticism
II. What Is This Remarkable Thing?
a. It Elicits, Combines, Directs Protestants
b. Excludes all Others
c. A Spiritual Movement
d. A Great Conviction
b. Excludes all Others
c. A Spiritual Movement
d. A Great Conviction
III. Separation of Church and State
IV. Has the Protestant, Native Born, White Manhood of America a Right to Organize Into a Movement Such As the Ku Klux Klan?
V. Should the White, Native Born, Protestant Manhood of America Organize a Movement Such As the Ku Klux Klan?
a. The Negroes Are Organized
b. The Jews Are Organized
c. Rome Organized
b. The Jews Are Organized
c. Rome Organized
VI. Two Theories of Government in Deadly Conflict
a. The Democratic Theory
b. Freedom of Speech and Press
c. The Constitutional Guarantee
d. Jefferson's Definitions and Axioms of Free Society
e. Lincoln's Definitions
f. Wendel Phillip's Ideals
g. Chancellor Kent's Ideals
h. Divorce of Church and State
i. Popular Secular Education
j. President Grant's Ideals
b. Freedom of Speech and Press
c. The Constitutional Guarantee
d. Jefferson's Definitions and Axioms of Free Society
e. Lincoln's Definitions
f. Wendel Phillip's Ideals
g. Chancellor Kent's Ideals
h. Divorce of Church and State
i. Popular Secular Education
j. President Grant's Ideals
VII. The Theory of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy
a. Freedom of Conscience, Speech, Press and Assembly
b. Pius IX Versus The Democratic Ideals
c. Leo XIII Versus American Democratic Ideals
d. The Position of Pius X
e. Parichial Schools
f. The Real Reason for Their Establishment
b. Pius IX Versus The Democratic Ideals
c. Leo XIII Versus American Democratic Ideals
d. The Position of Pius X
e. Parichial Schools
f. The Real Reason for Their Establishment
VIII. Can and Will the Ku Klux Klan Accomplish The Task Which She Has Set For Herself?
a. The Great American University
b. The Lecture Bureau
c. The Publishing House
d. Our School Textbooks
b. The Lecture Bureau
c. The Publishing House
d. Our School Textbooks
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THE KU KLUX KLAN
ITS ORIGIN, MEANING, PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF OPERATION
THE KU KLUX KLAN
ITS ORIGIN, MEANING, PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF OPERATION
The Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is the most remarkable movement of modern times. You will observe that I use the term "movement." Many people are in the habit of thinking of the Ku Klux Klan as a great, mystical, if not mythological fraternity. It is strange and weird. But it is infinitely more than that: It is an expression of a great nation's thought stirred by a consciousness of the presence of wrong. This movement is remarkable for many reasons.
It is remarkable in its origin. No movement in the history of the world was ever born as was this one. It is an effect, which, in turn, strange as it may seem, has become a great world cause. The Ku Klux Klan was born in the most strenuous period of American history, the period of Southern Reconstruction.
Let me paint for you a picture which will at once make clear the origin of the movement, and also set forth the logical methods which grew out of it.
I see them now: General Robert E. Lee, than whom no finer gentleman, no braver soldier, no truer patriot, no greater man was ever born; and by his side, General Ulysses S. Grant, another soldier, patriot and statesman. The occasion was the surrender of Lee and the Southern Confederacy to the overpowering forces of the Union. The final words had been spoken, the war between the States had come to an end; swords had been placed in their scabbards never to be drawn again, and guns and other accoutrements of war were now useless except as relics of the strangest struggle of the world's history. General Lee had spoken to his army; he had looked into faces of thousands of them as they wept like children, their hearts breaking over the Lost Cause. Hungry, ragged, discouraged, poverty stricken, these soldiers of the South turned their faces homeward, to their mothers, wives and sweethearts who had been wrestling with poverty and exhaustion of all resources. There were never such hearts as these in the world's history. They went back to their homes now in poverty, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and everything gone, and above all, their wealth lost in the freedom of the slaves.
These men who had for four years fought with a bravery that challenged the admiration of the world now turned their thoughts to the rebuilding of their homes, their farms, their fortunes and their civilization. For a little while everything worked well. And then a dark cloud arose, a carpet-bagger cloud led by political mountebanks and crooked men, scalawags who not only wished, but dared to crush the life of these noble southern men and women, and to put in their stead for leadership of the people the recently emancipated slave.
In a few months time all law had been abrogated. There was no law. The legislature of South Carolina was made up wholly of negroes; ignorant ex-slaves were made sheriff, constable, magistrate, and were given entire control of the political and legal life of various counties. Pandemonium reigned everywhere. Obedient, docile, industrious slaves of a few months before, through the agitation of crooks and demagogues, and by the use of whiskey were turned into demons. These black men who a few months before would have died to protect the womanhood of the southland, men who during the four years of the war did protect the womanhood of the southland, were, like ravenous beast of the jungle, bellowing for blood. Fear and desperation seized the people; no home was safe; humiliation, disgrace and sorrow covered the earth like the waters cover the sea. The Federal soldier stood guard over the negro and protected the carpet-bagger and the scalawag. Hope was gone.
It was at a time like this that the Ku Klux Klan was born.
The other picture is as follows: In a beautiful little city of North Carolina the ex-slaves were put into power. The sheriff of the county was a boisterous and dangerous negro; he had around him a large number of free men who, fired by whiskey, the carpet-bagger and scalawags, were mad for spoil, for position, for dominion and rulership. The sheriff and his henchmen conceived the idea of possessing all the wealth of the county, so, upon a certain night, he called together his henchmen, and in the wee small hours of the night they assembled in the cellar of a famous old colonial home, a home sold by force from under a family of culture and wealth, and then occupied by the sheriff. After lengthy discussion these men entered into a solemn oath, and bound themselves to massacre several of the leading families of the county, with the understanding that all of their property be confiscated and divided among themselves. This solemn oath was written out and signed in their own blood.
It happened, however, that there were klansmen in those days, and their eyes were open to all the mischief making movements. One of these noble men was in this secret conclave in these midnight hours.
Before daylight the next morning the Exalted Cyclops of the county had all the details of that meeting, and by daylight couriers were speeding upon the highway as fast as the fleetest footed horses could carry them. Their message to Klansmen of adjoining counties was, "Meet at a certain ford on the river at sundown tonight!"
Dauntless men rode that day; and by sundown, from the north, the south, the east and from the west came men whose hearts throbbed with love of home, country and civilization. And as darkness came on, hundreds of robed horses whose feet were muffled, fell into line and moved to the city. Riding single file these brave men surrounded the town and the sheriff's home, making a circle complete. Then they rode two abreast, making a circle complete, until they rode four abreast. Then a whistle sounded, and the hundreds of men were as silent as death. They dismounted. And In the stillness of the night and the solemnity of the hour, ten separate numbers were called,—for in the Ku Klux Klan no name was ever called. These ten numbers represented ten noblemen, ten courageous, true and tried sons of the Old South, sons of the greatest aristocracy the world ever knew, knights, patriots, soldiers, all.
The men responded, and the spokesman of the occasion gave the following instructions: "Go into the house, and bring me the sheriff."
They went in and searched the house, but the sheriff was nowhere to be found. They returned and so reported.
The instructions then were: "Go to the front door, enter it, turn to the first door to the right, put back the carpet, open the trapdoor, go into the cellar, and bring me the sheriff." ...
The order was obeyed, and in five minutes the sheriff stood before the most mysterious body of men the world ever saw.
Remember, will you, that there was no law at that time, that the court house did not mean anything. This man was tried by these men, found guilty because the document was produced which he had signed in his own blood declaring that he would lead a mob to massacre the leading white families of the county. The next morning a sheriff dangled from a limb of a tree in the court house yard. From that day until this, peace and safety have ever reigned in all that region of North Carolina.
Who is the man of this age and generation who will say these men did wrong? They would not do more; they could not do less. Today the world bows to do them honor.
So civilization hung in the balance; chivalry was receiving its supremest test; for however dark the days of war may have been, these days of Reconstruction were the darkest days of all in the history of this earth. Men's souls were tried. Everything that was holy, good and worth while in the South was about to be destroyed. These men resorted to the only remedy, and the application of the remedy was swift and successful.
I declare to you that the spirit of the Ku Klux Klan in its beginning is the same spirit that predominates it today. The spirit and purpose of the Ku Klux Klan have always been one; the application and methods alone are different.
This movement is also remarkable for its IDEALISM. It gathers up into itself all the holy traditions, hopes, aspirations, dreams, purposes and the faith of the Anglo-Saxon and Protestant fathers. It is not sordid, and it does not work for paltry pelf; nor will it sell out for gold. Its idealism is born in a passion to free man from all wrongs, prejudices and unrighteous usurpations of power. It works where all others have failed or are failing; it recognizes God's law as supreme. If God has made a man white the Invisible Empire would not make him black or half-black. It recognizes God's right to create the races and to set their bounds. It bows to God's plans and reverently follows where He leads.
It also recognizes the right of all men to be free. It protects with all its soul against any and all encroachments, be they political, ecclesiastical or social upon any and all the institutions of freedom which have come to flower and glory in the United States of America. It dreams of a free nation in which each and every individual shall enjoy all the rights of our sacred constitution. It will die that men may be free.
This movement, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is also remarkable because of its MYSTICISM. It is hard for the uninitiated to understand or appreciate its meaning. Its mysteries are only understood by those on the inside. Its helmet, shroud, fiery cross, and other emblems and symbols are each profoundly significant, and is the expression of the highest patriotism, the most sublime devotion to the right as God shall lead men to know it and see it, to be found anywhere in the world. Somehow it carries with it an atmosphere of warning to the unrighteous and to the bad, and to the designing. It carries with it an inspiration to all true and noble men. It is at once a challenge and a warning. It challenges the pure, patriotic, sincere son of America; but it is a solemn warning to the bad, the designing, the unscrupulous demagogue.
It is my purpose now to answer as clearly and as definitely as I know, several questions that naturally arise with reference to this movement. The first question I desire to ask, and answer, is:
WHAT IS THIS REMARKABLE THING?
Primarily, I will say that the Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is a movement that ELICITS, COMBINES and DIRECTS the white, native-born, Protestant, Gentile manhood of America. It not only elicits and combines these men, but directs them. It is to be seen, therefore, that the membership of this organization is both exclusive and inclusive, and that it is militant in its operation. It elicits, combines and directs Protestants.
It includes all Anglo-Saxons who are native-born, and who are of the Protestant faith. It eludes all who are not white men, who are not native-born, and who are not Protestants. It eliminates the negro; and yet the Ku Klux Klan is not anti-negro; it simply eliminates him from its membership. It eliminates all men of color, be they men of the African race, Mongolian race or Malay race. This is an organization of white men for purposes that are congenial to white men.
It eliminates the Roman Catholic, because all Catholics owe their first allegiance to a foreign ecclesiastical power. They have not and can not have a first allegiance to our flag; they are not and can not be true Catholics and 100 per cent Americans.
The Ku Klux Klan does not deny the right to any man to be a Roman Catholic if he wants to be one, to kiss the toe of the Pope if he wants to do that, or practice any other of the thousand unthinkable things accepted by Catholics; they have a right to worship as they please. But it refuses to take into its membership in a fraternal way such men, believing that to do so would be detrimental to all our institutions of liberty, the sublimest achievements of the human race up to this time.
This movement also excludes the Jew, because he is not an Anglo-Saxon, because he does not accept the fundamentals of our Protestant faith, because he does not accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In fact, the Ku Klux Klan excludes from its membership all men who are not in sympathy with and in harmony with those fundamental institutions of liberty which differentiate us from all other nations of the earth. America is a Protestant nation; her institutions are Protestant institutions, and Protestant men must and will defend them and conserve them unto posterity at any price.
The Ku Klux Klan is also a SPIRITUAL movement, for it gives expression to the highest spiritual ideals of the race. It is almost a new religion in the minds of some. But I hasten to say that it is not a new religion, but is an expression of the old-time, heaven-born, heartfelt, Holy Spirit inspired religion of our fathers. Its spirit was given birth in the old-time Camp meetings of the South, in the great revivals that have stirred the nation since the days of its founding. It is an expression of real, deep, spiritual experiences that have found a place in the lives of free men.
The Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, is also a mighty CONVICTION, a conviction that lies deep in the consciences of free men, a conviction that will take no denial. It is a conviction that Protestantism means something to the world. It believes that Roman Catholicism is both a menace and a curse; it believes that God has set white men to be the leaders of this world; it believes that it is a crime to mix the races by intermarriage: it believes that God set the bounds of the races, and it also believes that the Protestant institutions which differentiate America from any of the other nations of the earth are better than others, and it resolves to give these principles of freedom to all men everywhere.
THE KU KLUX KLAN AND THE LAW
The Ku Klux Klan has been variously described as a "Tar And Feather" crowd, as "Mid-night Riders," as "Terrors To All Common Decency" and many other strange and unthinkable designations.
Let us now turn the white light of truth upon this remarkable movement, for the truth must be burned into the mind of every red-blooded American citizen. I make the following statement unequivocally, that a Klamsman however humble may be his walk in life, is a better citizen and has a higher regard for law and order than any other man in all the world, who has not passed through similar experiences, to those which have become a part of his life and thought. Now let as prove that statement.
I see him now, the earnest American citizen, entering the Klavern that he may enter into sacred and holy relationship with his brethren. He approaches an altar as the room is darkened. Upon this altar the American flag is spread before him, upon this flag the living Word of God rests. The Holy Book is open at Romans the XII Chapter. This earnest citizen bows his knees before the altar and then looks up into the glow of the mysterious "Fiery Cross" an emblem at once of the sacrifices and death of his Lord, and of the light of the world. This cross glows with a brilliancy and significance that he has not realized before. To his left another flag is mounted and her sacred folds rap about him as he places his left hand upon his heart and raises his right hand to heaven and assumes a thrice binding oath in which he pledges himself forever to support the laws of the city, the state and the nation. Mortal man has never assumed a more solemn or sacred oath. From that moment the Klansman is bound by his oath to support the Government and the Constitution of the United States. He has sworn to place his flag, his country, his Government above any government or power, political or ecclesiastical in all the world. He pledges his life, his property, and his sacred honor to forever protect and to perpetuate the Protestant institutions of this country, for all our institutions in America are Protestant. Please do not tell me that any man who travels this road is not one of the noblest, most dependable, true, and useful citizens to be found in our country.
Again this same citizen upon his knees assumes a thrice binding oath, in which he pledges himself to the protection of the American Home, and the sanctity of American woman-hood. Thus he would protect the foundations of our civilization and the beginning of all law and order. He swears that he will protect American woman-hood from the advances of unscrupulous men, who would violate her sweetness of girl-hood and chastity of mother-hood.
Moveover this same nobleman swears that he will defend the principles of established Liberty; the unhampered rights of worship; the freedom of the press; just laws; free speech; the unhampered freedom of conscience and mind; American public schools and all other Constitutional rights, which have been bequeathed to us in the blood of our fathers.
This nobleman, with millions of others like him, believe that the institutions of the United States are Protestant institutions. Our government was bequeathed to us through the sacrifices and suffering of our Protestant fathers. He pledges himself to protect this heritage, and any and all other of the sacred institutions which have been handed down to us from the past. Thus he takes his stand for those principles and institutions which differentiates us from any and all the other nations of the world and from any and all secret and fraternal orders in the world. America, rocked in the cradle of Liberty and religious freedom made by broad minded Protestants, is different from any other country in the world, and it is a better Government than any other Government dedicated to by the narrow visions of ecclesiastical bigots and popish autocrats.
It is to these glorious sentiments, these lofty principles, that each and every Klansman has sternly pledged his devotion, in an unalterable and serious determination, which makes him a patriot today and forever.
Klansman believes that a dual Government is impossible, that no individual or body of men within the bounds of our Government can justly or in any other way take the law into their own hands. A Klansman will not take the life of a traitor or of traitors by mob law. A Klansman cannot violate the law. He is oath bound to support constitutional laws. He will help prosecute and will cause to be prosecuted any man who violates the law and will cause to be punished any man who is a traitor to his country.
It is a fact that the Government can depend upon Klansman when it cannot depend upon others. Wives may trust their husbands who kneel at the sacred altar and before the Fiery Cross of the Klavern. Mothers may trust their sons who pass this way and sweethearts may trust their lovers who have sufficient courage, chivalry and patriotism to pass this way. Of such men nations are built. Such men are the hope and the leaders of the world. Such men become the foundation of all law and order. At this hour they are the hope of America and America is the hope of the world.
Let us mention a few or these fundamental institutions of Protestant freedom:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
This sacred institution cost the lives of millions of men, and centuries of struggle on the part of the white people of the earth. It is a child of Protestantism. A free church in a free state is the only solution of the question, and such men as Jefferson, Hamilton, Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson have again and aqain shown to the world the priceless value of this position.
The other institutions are: FREEDOM OF SPEECH,FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, RIGHT OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY AND OF PETITION and FREE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION FOR THE WORLD. All of the institutions which from the day of the Declaration of Independence have set us apart and differentiated us from other nations of the world, are sacred to us, and we will die for them if needs be.
The Ku Klux Klan believes that these institutions constitute the hope of the world, politically, socially, morally, and religiously, and they have set themselves to interpret them, and guard them unto death.
POLITICALLY this movement is not a party, but depends upon honest, intelligent, informed men moving in solid phalanx at the ballot box as the hope of the nation. These men, therefore, will at the ballot box battle not for party, but for principle, and they propose to put men who are 100 per cent American in charge of the affairs of the nation, and to see that these men are true to the principles for which we stand. This movement takes the stand that no man who is not a Protstant, and therefore not in favor of our American, Protestant institutions can be 100 per cent American. Others may be loyal men, in a way, and very patriotic; but a 100 per cent American is a man or woman who believes in our distinctive American institutions which are Protestant institutions, and subscribes to them unto death.
From the standpoint of Law this remarkable movement does not presume to be the Law or ever to become the Law. It is the first in the land to recognize the Law and dedicate all of its powers unto the maintenance of law and order. It stands back of the President of the United States, of Congress, of the Supreme Court, of governors of the states, sheriffs of the counties, and policemen, and swears an everlasting allegiance to them and loyalty to them in helping to suppress the wrong and maintain the right.
SOCIALLY, this movement is an association of kind. It is a coming together of men who think alike, men who have like political and religious experiences. They recognize the fact that God has made men different one from another, and has set their bounds, and that it is wrong to break down what God has forever established.
This movement is also a remarkable FRATERNITY. Its ritual is the most beautiful, the most sublime, and the most inspiring in the world. It has in it all that those who love ritual may enjoy. It has the element of instruction for all, and an inspiration that can not be found anywhere else except in a Klavern, where such noblemen assemble. It satisfies the social and other instincts of men.
Finally, let me say, with great force, that the Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is not an "ANTI" organization. It is not "ANTI"- anybody or anything. It is positively and forever a "PRO" organization. It stands for America, for Americans, and Americans for America. It does not work against any one; it works for those who have the first rights in this great land of ours. It has distinctive convictions with reference to immigration, and is jealous of all the sons and daughters of America, descendants of the fathers who purchased this nation with their own blood. It stands for all our distinctive American, Protestant institutions; it stands for them with a definiteness and a positiveness that the world can not mistake or fail to understand.
The second question I wish to answer is:
HAS THE PROTESTANT, NATIVE-BORN, WHITE MANHOOD OF AMERICA
A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE INTO A MOVEMENT SUCH AS THE KU KLUX KLAN?
A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE INTO A MOVEMENT SUCH AS THE KU KLUX KLAN?
My answer to this question is that the Constitution of the United States grants unto all citizens the right of Public Assembly, Free Speech, and the right to organize for Religious, Political, Social and Fraternal purposes. It also grants the right to all citizens to select the company in the organizations with which they cast their lot. No man has the right to question or try to hinder the citizenry of this nation in religious, political, social or fraternal organizations. The Ku Klux Klan probably covers more ground than any other political, social, religious or fraternal organization in America; for the movement, while it is primarily a secret, fraternal order, is at the same time religious, social and political. The Constitution of the nation is therefore back of it, and sustains it. When the Constitution of the nation speaks, let every tongue forever be silent.
But there are those who contend that the membership of the organization is too exclusive, and that for that reason it should he suppressed.
My answer is, that all religious, social, political and fraternal organizations in America are both INCLUSIVE and EXCLUSIVE in their membership. Masonry is both inclusive and exclusive, both as to color, faith and moral quality. The Roman Catholic organization known as the Knights of Columbus, is exclusive. Who ever heard of a Protestant man having membership in the Knights of Columbus?
The Jews have their organization, secret, military, and all but despotic—the B'nai B'rith. Do you suppose a Gentile could gain membership in that organization?
Even our churches are inclusive and exclusive in their membership.
The Ku Klux Klan includes all white, native-born Protestant Americans; it excludes all others. In this the Constitution, even in its spirit, is not violated.
But there it another question that has agitated the minds of a great many, and I wish with all earnestness and definiteness to answer this question once and for all. The question is:
SHOULD THE WHITE, NATIVE-BORN, PROTESTANT MANHOOD OF AMERICA
ORGANIZE A MOVEMENT SUCH AS THE KU KLUX KLAN?
ORGANIZE A MOVEMENT SUCH AS THE KU KLUX KLAN?
The answer to this question is of national and even of worldwide importance; hence we can not deal with the matter lightly, but should answer it with all seriousness and honesty. I shall thus try to answer the question.
But before we take up the matter directly of the necessity for this organization, I wish to call your attention to the fact that in this nation of ours there are three great segments of our population organized into powerful and purposeful secret fraternities. These fraternities are clannish, and their aims are definite.
FIRST. Ten millions of our negro people are organized into secret fraternities. They are organized along definite lines and for definite purposes. I shall not stop to dwell on the report that they are organized, a majority of them, by members of the Roman Catholic church, who acting in secret, are endeavoring to create for the cause of Roman Catholicism a great force to be used in the time of need. This report is very significant. We hope this report is untrue for only sorrow could come of it.
Archbishop Ireland said not many years ago, "We can have the United States in ten years, and I want to give you three points for your consideration, the Indians, the Negroes and the common schools."
Roman Catholicism in America is obeying its leadership in its attempt to organize the negroes of the country in behalf of Rome.
Let us suppose for a moment that the purposes of these negro organizations of the country were carried out. What would be the result? I make haste to say that if the purposes of these organizations were executed tomorrow our nation would be plunged into ruin. This is not a country to be ruled by the negro race. It is a white man's country, and will forever be so. God has set the bounds of the negro race, and every instinct of his being, and every capacity that he knows do not and can not qualify him for leadership of the Anglo-Saxon race.
For 6000 years the negro walked over the diamonds of Kimberly and the gold of Ophir, but he never polished a diamond, nor did he ever convert gold into coin. For 6000 years he walked beneath the finest trees of the planet, and yet he never produced an instrument with which to fell one of them, or to convert one of them into lumber for the building of a house. For 6000 years the negro swam the great streams of the earth, and yet he never produced a canoe or ship with which to navigate one of these streams. He is one of the oldest races of the earth, yet not a single invention of importance has he added to the civilization of the world. Hewers of wood, and drawers of water,—this is his destiny.
The negro societies of the United States are organized for social equality; but social equality is impossible, for it presupposes amalgamation of the two races. I know of no crime against civilization that could be greater than to attempt to destroy the races as God Almighty has produced them. The glory of the negro race is and is to be in its own identity, and not in its mixture with the other races of the earth. The negro race can not be absorbed by the Anglo-Saxon, for one-eighth negro and seven-eights Anglo-Saxon is sterile to the Anglo-Saxon race, and can not produce. And even with this proportion of Anglo-Saxon blood there is an inevitable reversion to type, by which God Almighty says, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no further." Not only is common judgment against such a thing, but the instincts of the Anglo-Saxon race are forever behind it. Here again God has set the bounds. Even the odor of the negro is objectionable in all climates and at all times to the Anglo-Saxon. All the instincts, hopes, purposes, and racial ambitions are different; there is nothing in common which could ever recommend or suggest social equality.
At the close of the great world war two negro soldiers were returning from France. When they came into New York harbor they were thinking seriously and fast, "Will our experiences at home be different from what they have been in the past?" They had been spoiled by the women of the lower world in France. They were coming back to Protestant, Anglo-Saxon, America, and were greatly disturbed in their thinking. One boy said to the other:
"Bill, when you git off dis here ship, and sets yore feet on American soil, what is you gwine to do?" Bill replied:
"When I git off dis here ship, and sets my feet on American soil, I'm gwine to buy me a fine white suit, white socks, white shoes, white tie, white hat, and I'm gwine down town an' git me a pretty white gal, an' I'm gwine to walk right down Broadway with her. What you gwine do, Sam?" Sam replied:
"Well, when I gits off dis here ship, an' sets my feet on American soil, I'm gwine down town an' buy me a black suit, black socks, black shoes, black tie, black hat, git some crepe an' tie it around my arm, an' nigger, I'm GWINE TO YORE FUNERAL."
I listen to this negro's reply as it echoes and re-echoes around this nation, and ask this question, was this lone negro boy, speaking for himself only, or was he interpreting a nation's conscience. The fact is, he was speaking for every white man in America, he was interpreting America's ideals. No, social equality will never be in this world until crepe hangs on the doorknob of heaven and it is officially announced that God is dead, and the bounds of the nations have been forever obliterated.
The Ku Klux Klan is not opposed to the negro, but is the avowed friend of the negro. And in his place in the nation, if he is clean, honest and industrious the negro will always find a helping hand.
SECOND: The Jews of the nation,—and no man knows how many there are in America,—have organized into a great secret and powerful, purposeful fraternity, B'nai B'rith. Do you suppose for a moment that this organization operates in the interest of American institutions, free speech, free press, free public schools, separation of church and state? The fact is, the Jewa are not, never have been, and never will be interested in these things. But they have a powerful organization that can touch and direct every Jew in the nation in four hours time. This means something.
Let us suppose for a moment that the purposes of this organization are carried out in this nation, or let us suppose that the idealism of the Jews was carried out in this country. I can not think of a greater calamity that could befall our country, for the Jew is not interested in civilization as we have made it. He has had but one passion, one goal, and one interest,—gold. He is not interested in our institutions.
