Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-11-25
miscellaneous.
TnE KU-KLUX CONSTITUTION.
why South Carolina Needs soldiers.
THE REBELLION REORGANIZED.

THE REBELLION REORGANIZED.
The southern democratic journals con-
stantly asserh That the so-callcd Ku-kluX
outrages in South Carolina have no politi-
cal character whatever 1t happens that
Colonel Lewis Merrill, commanding the
Seventh United States cavalry at Yorkville,
South Carolina, the officer upon whom the
government has largely relied for h.forma-
ton MS to the state of affairs there recently
obtained the original constitution or obli-
cation signed by the members of the khan,
and was able TO trace it on unqucstionablo
evidence through the hands of various
chiefs of the order, directly to the Grand
Chief of the Seventy in whose handwrit-
ing it is. One or two pages oft appeared
to be missing, but the authenticity of the
document is beyond question
OBLIGATION TAKEN By THE KU-KLuX.
4 (name), before the immaculate Judge
of Heaven and Earth, and upon the Holy
Evangelists of Almighty God, do, of my
own free will and accord, subscribe to the
following sacrcdly binding obligations
'First-Wc arc on the side of justice,
humanity and constitutional liberty as be-
queathcd TO us in its purity by our fore
fathers.
'Second-We oppose and reject the prin
ciples of the radical party.
'Third-We pledge mutual aid to each
other in sickness, distress aud pecuniary
embarrassment
'Fourth-Female friends, widows and
their households shall ever be special OBJ
iects of our regard and protection.
'Fifth-Any member divulging or caus-
ing to be divulged any of the foregoing
obligations shall meet the fearful penalty
an1 troitpr.S 1Dnp which ic 1nnth 1nDih
death.
CONSTITUTION.
,,'ART. This organization shall be
Ilux Klan' 66ffT7111Order, 6ff 711 No, OF the ,i ku-
ART II.-The ofiictatfS ss.. South Carolina,
cyclops and scribe, both of whom sr3ttmN y = -
elected by a majority vote of the order, and
to hold their office during good behavior.
ART. Ill. Sec. lit shall be the duty
of the G. to preside in the order, enforce
due observance ofthe constitution and by
laws and an exact compliance to the rules
and usages of the order 20 see that all the
members perform their respective duties
appoint all committees before the order
Inspect the arms and dress of each member
on special occasions to call meetings when
necessary draw upon members for all
sums needed to carry on the order.
Sec. 2.-The S. shall keep Il record of
the proceedings of the order; write COM
munications notify other Klans when
their assistance is needed ; give notice when
any member has to suffer the penalty for
violating his oath see that all books, pa
pcrs or other property belonging to his
Office are placed beyond the reach of any
one but members OF the order. lie shall
perform such other duties us may be re-
quired of him by the G..
ART. w., Sec. mo person shall be
initiatcdinto this order under eighteen years
&c orn.
Sec. 2-1'e rerson of color shall DC ad-
mitted into this order
Sec. 3.--No person shall be admitted in
to the order who does not sustain good
moral character and who is any way inca
pacitated to discharge the duties ola Kn-
Klux.
Sec. - The name of person offered
lor membership must be proposed by the
committee appointed by the chief verbally,
stating age, residence, and occupation, state
ii he was a soldier in this late war, his rank
whether in the Federal or Confederate SER
vice, and his command.
ART. V. See. Amy member who
shall offend against these articles or the by
laws, shall be subject to be fined and repri-
manded by the c., as two-thirds of the
members present at any regular meeting
may determine.
sec. EVERY member shall be entitled
TO Il fair trial for any offence involving
rcprinaud Or criminal punishment.
'GY-LAwS,
ART. /. Sec. This order shall meet
at---,
See. 2.-Fiyo members shall constitute
II quorum, provided the c. or $, be pres
cnt.
See. 3.--The {. shall have power TO APP |
point such members Of the order to attend !
to the sick, the needy, and those distressed,
and those suffering from radical misrue,
rs Tie case may require,
Sec. i.-No person shall be appointed
on committee unless the person is present
ut the Time of appointment. Members of
committees neS!ecting to report shall be
fined 30 cents.
ART. IL. See. Every member on be-
my admitted shall sign the constitutions
aud bylaws and pay the initiation fee.
See. "A brother of Il c Kan wishing
to become n member of this order shall pre-
sent his application with the proper pa
pcrs of transfer from the order of which he
was member formerly. Shall be admitted
TO the order only by unanimous vote ofthc
members present.
'ALr. i'll. See. 1.-The initiation fec
shall be.
ART. ". See, Each member who
shall refuse or neglect to pay his tin,s or
dues shall be dealt with rs the Chief thinks
proper
See. 2.-Sickncss or absence from the
country or being engaged in any important
business shall be a valid excuse Tor any
rrglcct Of duty.
ART. Y. Sec. l. Each member shall
provide himself with Il pistol, ku.kiuN
gown and signal Instruments,
see, :. When charges have been pre-
itrred against member in proper manner,
ur any matters of grievance between broth
or k!uX are brought before the order, they
shall be referred Ia special committee OF
three or more m,mbvrs, who shall examine
the parties aud determine the matter ia
question, reporting their decision 10 the
order II the parties Interested desire, two
thirds of the mcmbgls present voting ia
favor ut the rvpuyt ii shall be carried
A a A. Int ..F