Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-30
The Klnx KIan.

The Century for July contains very
interesting article on the origin, growth
and disarmament of the Ku kluX Khan.
According to this account the name, ku
Klux Khan, was first spoken in the town
Of Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866. A party
Of young men who had little to do, and
who found the time hanging rather heavily
on their hands, determined to form club
for amusement. They had not the re-
hottest idea what they should do to amuse
themselves when they first met and name
for their proposed club had not been sug-
gested. They finally decided to find their
amusement in mystery and in initiating
new members. In hunting for name the
word ssKuklOi." from Greek word, mean
ing band or circle, was suggested. The
suggestion inspired some one to propose
that the club be called ''Ku kluX," and
Ku Klux was adopted. The other part Of
the name, ''Klan," naturally followed and
the organization became known as the
Ku Klux Khan. The young men had
great deal Of fun ont OF it and the curl
osity Of the people Of Pulaski became
greatly excited. An old building on the
outskirts of the town was taken possess
sion Of, and there the limitations took
place. 4 sort Of uniform was adopted,
consisting of a tall pasteboard hat,
white mask and a gown or robe that COW
cred the entire person. On meeting nights
sentinels were placed in the vicinity o.
the lOdge-roOm to keep away intruders.
The appearance Of these sentinels greatly
alarmed the negroes, and even the white
people were careful to avoid, after dark,
the highway that led past the old build
ing. There were plenty Of recruits and
many more were anxious to join than
were accepted. Care was taken only to
accept those who were of good character
and who were not addicted to the use of
intoxicants. The club grew with Won
derful rapidity, and soon there began to
be applications for permission to form
clubs in neighbOring villages. 1t wasn't
very long before there were a great many
clubs scattered over the State. The
mystery that was so strictly maintained
was the chief cause OF the spread Of the
organization. There seemed TO be an i'm
preston even among members that some
great movement was intended, but Of the
character Of il no one pretended to have
any knowledge. The alarm shown by the
negroes suggested that the organization
might be turned to a good purpose-that
of protecting life and property. Some
thing was done in that direction, and for
time in all places where the organiza-
ton had lodges it was noticeable that
there was a stronger sentiment in favor
Of law and order. The organization soon
passed beyond the boundaries Of Tennes-
see and began to take root in other South
ern States. In 1867 it extended from Vir-
ginia to Texas. Its original character
was lost and its aim appeared to be to
regulate society. Bad men had been adj
mitted and in some localities were in con-
troll. In the spring Of 1867 a convention
was held in Nashville, at which delegates
were present from all the Southern States.
The resolutions adopted at this conven-
ton show that there was 70 disloyalty
intended, and that the purpose was to az
ford protection to the innocent and de-
fenseless under the laws. At that time
society was disOrganized and the laws
were loosely enforced. After the conven-
ton the organization continued to grow
but it was found impossible to control it
everywhere. A great cutlery was made
against il. The Northern press attacked
it and Congressman made speeches against
it. Outrages were committed by lawless
persons which were charged on the Or
ganizatiOn. In September, 1868, the Leg
fslature or Tennessee was called together
to devise measures to suppress the Khan
in that State. Harsh laws were passed
which aroused the resentmento Of the order,
and in some sections of the State reign
Of terror followed. In February, 1869,
Brownlow, the Governor of Tennessee,
resigned TO take his seat in the United
states Senate, and soon afterwards a
proclamation was issued by the head Of
the Ku Klux Khan .disbanding the order.
'Bhat proclamation ended the organized
existence of the order. Remnants of it
continued to attract attention, and for
wear or more in localities they made their
presence recognized. The Khan practi-
calIy ceased to exist, however, in March,
1869.