Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-29
Objects of the Organization Dlscusse,
A Committee on Assassination.

The proofs of the real character of the kuklux
Khan are accumulating every day. The following
which we find in the Memphis Bulletin of the 5th
instant, will silence the tongues OF those who have
insisted that it was merely an association for the
purpose Of harmless amusement
For several months since we have had informa-
tion of the existence of clan of sssassins, bound
together by fearful oaths TO drive from the State
all Union men and elfranchised eolored men who
dare exercise their right TO vote the Union ticket.
We have heretofore been inclined to the opinion
that this organization existed principally in the
imagination of our colored population. Rumor was
rife tina. den OF this "Klan" had been set up in
our city and the Conservative journals in our midst
have been daily publishing mystical and bombastic
notices purporting to be orders from their "Grsnd
Cyclops.'
Several prominent citizens have had notices hat
if they consulted their safety they must leave the
State Immediately. Still we treated the whole
thing as myth "A sert of "TaC-tCdd and bloody
bones" gotten up 10 frighten timid people. Some
! time since, however, Colonel Beaumont ferreted
out den of real, live Kukluxers, aud arrested the
whole party nineteen in number, seized the records
containing their constitution and OATH form Of mi
tation, sc. a human skull was also found in the
/ den. This high-hsnded and outrageous conduct on
| the part Of Colonel BeaumOnt-this most dangerous
infringement upon the constitutional rights Of cit
izens-drew forth characteristic howl from the
OoHkeINhblNb pres OF our city ne legal UulbOI OF
| the App cal drew tho Constitution and laws upon
the Colonel while the AeaIafele asserted that Col
onel Beaumont fought 10 Be BldydcrC6F IL was
claimed that this was base ball club-then a glee
club-snd lastly, 20 account for the skull captured
/ by the Colonel that it was a chronological class
composed of respectable young gentlemen.
! But these nice young men, justly feeling that
they were under a cloud, issued a card explaining
| their original purpose, and accusing Jack Camp
bell late local editor Of the AraLa5ahe "a having
Joined their association for the purpose Of betrayng
them into the hands of the police.
This, of course, called forth explanation from
the aforesaid "Grand Cyclops," which, by his re-
quest we publish IN another column.
The developments made in this communication
are indeed startling. Its statements are 50 direct
and oireumstantial that we cannot discredit them.
And now this murderous, diabolical organization
stands before the country unmarked IN al lie hell
ish deformity.
CAMPBELLs CARD.
The following is the card above referred TO
EDITORS BULLETIN Lying in my sick bed on
Sunday morning last, 1 was not little astonished
20 see in the columns of the AUalaashs article
entitled Gan Explanation, signed by number of
Young men who bad been arrested on the previous
Monday as members Of the Kuklux Khan, by the
Metropolitan police under the Leadership of Colo
mol Beaumont In self-delenco, Mr.. Editor, have
70 lay before the public the facts Of my connection
With this orgsn cation, and shall do briefly as
nOEsfOie Inc charges maze against me personally
in the article All singularly and collectively lies
and now propose, through the columns of your
paper 90 give 60 the public the whole history Of
nv connection with The affair. Some three or four
weeks ago |, along with party of friends, happen
ed into a saloon, and while waiting for the ere
treatments, one Of cur number observed placarded
in The bar-room the word "Trix.' Some one said
that was a 4. X. X. sign l remarked / wished l
knew it 20 be So as / wanted some Of it, There
the conversation dropped few minutes after we
went out OF The saloon, Mr. A. G. Ferguson stepped
up 10 me- and said Jack do you want 70 find the
Kuklux 9' 1 Immediately answered yes He then
said Meet me ri eight o'clock on Thursday night
and / viii put YOU through l think this CONVEX
saton occurred on Tuesday night l met him on
Thursday night according 10 appointment and be
escorted me 10 the corner Of fernando and Beal
streets, when and where Mr.. I. H. Risk sw0Tc inc
INTO what ! then believed and what is members
gave u out 10 be, kukluX den. a fact / do
know, Thai The oath administered by Mr. Risk al
though mol as much of iron-clsd Is the last
adopted Was 70 All lntents and purposes, as blood
'airsty ana AS binding. When these gentlemen say
st I inside any effort to turn their "Glee Club
political society," they IL, for from my first
--olltfion INTO 10 IL was one. They say thew had
- chi luton rad no by-lawsi Admitted but
laey D.. rules OF governance The oath, aud list
Of me nters safely locked IN Esle not e hundred
miles nom Madison street. l could give The name
and would did I think be had anything 10 10 with
ihe explanation AZ the meeting al which was
sworn IN, a committee Of two appointed 10
dram constitution, OATH manner Of initiation, &c
That committee consisted Of A. c. Ferguson and
myself; and the document seized By Colonel Beau
mont, although entirely in my handwriting, was
our joint production, adopted without dis
senting voice and each and every member swore 10
H. except perhaps one OF two who were absent from
the city. After the adoption Of this document I
was nominsted as "Cyclops" and twice declined
alleging as a reason that wss not the man for the
plaoe-that 'Eas 100 imru'siye and rash-and re-