Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-19
THE Ku.KLux CONSTITUTION.
WHY ssvrM CAROLINA NEEDS SOLDIERS.
The Rebellion ReOrgdnised.

The Southern Democratic Jour-
nails constantly assert that the So
called Ku-Klux outrages in South
Carolina have no political character
whatever. 1t happens that Colonel
Lewis Merrill, commanding the
Seventh United States cavalry at
Yorkville, South Carolina, the Off
Ger upon whom the government
has largely relied for information
as to the state of affairs there, re-
Gently obtained the original consti-
tuition or obligation signed by the
members of the khan, and was able
to trace it on unquestionable evil
dence through the hands of various
chiefs Of the order, directly to the
Grand Chief of the Seventy" IN
whose handwriting it is. One or
two pages of it appeared to be
missing, but the authenticity OF the
document is beyond question.
OBLIGATION TAKEN By THE KU-KLUX.
Il (name), before the immaculate
Judge of Heaven and Earth, and
upon the Holy Evangelists of AL
mighty God, do, of my own free
will and accord, subscribe to the
following sacredly binding obliga-
( tons:
''First-We are. on tho side OF
/ justice, humanity and constitutional
liberty as bequeathed to us in its
purity by our foiefathers.
"Secoud-We oppose and reject
tie principles Of the radical party.
"Third-We pledge mutual aid
to each ether i'll sickness, distress
aud pecuniiry embarrassment:
.'Fourth--Female, friends, widows
and their households shall ever be
special objects of Our regard and
protection.
"Fifth-Any member divul9ing
or causing to be divulSed any of
the foregoing obligations shall meet
the fearful penalty and traitors
doom, which is death, death, death.
CONSTITUTION.
CART. I.-TLis organization shall
be known rs the--Order, No.,
Of tie Ku-klux klan Of the State o.
South Carolina.
ART. 1.-THE officers shall con-
sist Of a cyclops and scribe, both
of whom shalt be elected by II
majority vote Of the order, and to
hold their Office during good be-
havior.
"AkT. III. Sec. lit shall be the
duty of the c. 20 preside in the or
der, enforce a due observance of the
constitution and bylaws and ali
exact compliance to the rules and
usages of the order to see that ali
the members perform Their respec-
tive duties appoint AL committees
before the order inspect the arms
and dress of each member on spe-
cial occasions to call meetings
when necessary draw upon mem
bers for all SUMS needed to carry
the order.
"Sec. 2.-The S. shall keep a re-
cord of the proceedings of the or
der ; write communications notify
other Klans Wien their assistance
is needed give notice when any
member has to suffer the penalty
for violating his oath see that all
books, papers OF other praperty be-
longing to his Office are placed be-
yond The reach of any one but mem
bers of the order. He shall.perform
such other duties rs may be requir-
ed of him by the G.
ART. w., Sec. NO person shall
be initiated into this order under
eighteen years of age.
''Sec. mo person of color shall
he admitted into this order.
Sec. 3-ilo person shall be adj
United into the order who docs no.
sustain a good moral character and
who is ANY way incapacitated TO
discharge the duties of ku-Klux.
"Sec. 4.-The name of a person
offered for membership must be
proposed by the committee APP
pointed by the chief verbally, stating
age, residence and occupation, state
if he was q soldier in the late war,
his rank, whether in the Federal or
Confederate service, and his COM
mand,