New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-24


order committee to wait on all such men
under the age of forty-five years to ask
their cooperation three several times, and
in the event of refusal ''such party shall
Immediately be shot down without fear or
favor" All parties ''shall be required to
take oath to this effect for certain times.
This was very improper bond Of asso-
citation. It fulfills in many respects the
engagements of the Carbonari and other
secret organizations, chiefly in Italy and
France, which bound the members to
keep the secrets Of the order, and to obey
its DEGREES even to 'the punishment of
treachery by assassination" There have
been some signal instances reported in
which traitors to this oath have been fol-
lowed into foreign countries and put to
death by masked murderers.
People subject to a government in
which they have no recognized rights
may be pardoned any efforts to preserve
their liberties. We expressly say that
the colored citizens of the United States
have no such justification.
When, however, we had seen it head
lined in the Picayatne that the dispersion
of these negroes, who had maltreated
negro, was the proof of "a general up
rising, and that among the proceedings
of negro Radical club" which were cap
tured, there was "a resolution fixing next
Friday (twenty-third), as the day for
general uprising against the whites" we
naturally expected the support Of charge
so serious.
The i'll advised resolutions captured
bind the club members to punish with
death any colored man who will not CO.
operate with the club in its objects stated,
but they do not even indicate any inten-
ton to do mishief to the white people or
property. The White League press gives
circulation to any current calumny which
may disparage the negroes, but feels
under no obligations to publish the re-
futation Of this calumny. We record,
then, that the charge that the resolutions
of the club or any other evidence show
no plan Of general uprising against
the whites was fixed for next Friday" or
any other day.
We write with the conviction that any
act done with Democratic intention will
meet the sanction Of that party, while the
same act, if done by the Republicans,
would constitute crime not to be con-
doned.
1t is very easy to show that this unwise
and improper organization Of the colored
people is based upon the oath-bound
league of the Democracy, known as the
"White Brotherhood" "The Invisible
Empire" and the Ku-Klux Klans.
The report of committee of Congress,
in 1871, upon the testimony of witnesses
deemed by them credible, published
that there were throughout the South Or
CARNATIONS which took the oath following:
l. The member will swear never to reveal
the name of the person who initiated him;
that he does not belong to any society, hav-
ing for it's object to destroy the rights of
the South, or of the States or of the people,
or to elevate the negro to a political equality
arith himself, and that he is opposed to all
such principles.
g You will further swear before Al
mighty God, that YOU will be true to
the PRINCIPLES Of the brotherhood, and
the members thereof, and that you will
never reveal any of the secrets, orders
acts or edicte, and that you will never
make known to any person not q men,
Der of the brotherhood that you are
member yourself, or who are members,
and that you will never assist in initiating
or allow to be initiated, if you can prevent
it, any one belonging to the Red String
order, Unicn League thieves Of America,
Grsnd Army of the Republic, or any one
holding Radical riers or opinions; and
SHOULD any member of this brUtherht cd, or
their families, be in danger, you will inform
them of their danger, and, if necessary,
you will 20 to their assistance, and that you
riH oppose all Radicals and negroes IN all
their polite al designs. and that should any
Radical or negro impose Cd, abuse or
injure any member of the brotherhood,
you will assist in Furnishing them
in any manner the camp may direct.
You further swear that you will obey all
calls and summons of the chief OF your
camp or brotherhood, should it be in your
power to do SO.
Given upon this, your obligation, that
you will never give the word Of distress
lshilob] unless you are ia great need of as
slstance, and should you hear it given by
any brother, you will 60 to his or their as
sistance; and should any member reveal
the secrets, acts, orders or edicts of the
brotherhood, you will aseist in Furnishing
him in any way the camp may dilect or ap-
prove of. So help you God!
Here, impressed with all the formalities
of oath, are all the elements of society
formed for the purpose of defeating Re-
publican principles and negro suffrage by
intimidation and murder. These words
are not in the formula, but the Congress
sional committees report goes on by col
umns of whippings and murders Of ne
groes and Republicans to assert that they
were perpetrated under the edicts of the
Ku-Klux societies. Such were the enor-
mites thus perpetrated that number of
persons in North Carolina had joined
the society because
It was in it's outset, as they understood it,
purely political, and for the mutual pro-
lection Of the members thereof and their
families.
They have been panied to know that
while the objects of the organization were
to attain certain political ends, the means
used and reeOrted to were such as would
shock civilized and enlightened people.
These men conclude by saying that unless