The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-01

hVsiVSs w sullOD ilhe lle plluntOn nOiSe-
man OF the llartz mountains, with his
crew OF skeleton riders, through the
swamps and savannahs OF the sugar and
cotton belts; and when the cyclones
and tornadoes tear their way through
the forests, the trembling negroes
still say, There 60 Cocetz and
his men," This legend was generally
known to the assembled party, and the
name Kuklux, as being happy combina-
ton OF Greek mysticism and sound sem
blance to the ghostly American chief, was
adopted with enthusiasm.
The name "Kuklux" having been thus
fortuitously adopted with reclamation, the
adjunct "klan" at once suggested itself
and was added to complete the ALTERATION
80 instead OF adopting name, as was at
first intended, which had definite mean
ing, they chose one TO which the proposer
OF it and to every one else was absolutely
meaningless.
Let the reader pronounce II aloud. The
sound OF il is suggestive of bones rafting
together II is a singular fact that the
members of the khan were themselves the
first TO feel its weird influence. So when
the report Of the committee on rules and
ritual came up for consideration the recon-
mendations were modified TO adapt them
~ the idea.
THE OFFICERS.
The report rs finally adopted provided
for the following officers: A grand cyclops
or president; a grand magi or vice. presi-
dent; a grand turk or marshal; q grand
eXchequcr or treasurer. and two lictors.
These were the outer and inner guards Of
the den as the place OF meeting was
designated.
The one obligation exactad from mem
ber was TO maintain profound and abso-
lutte secrecy with reference TO the order
and everything pertaining 10 il. This OBJ
legation prohibited those who assumed il
from disclosing they were kuklux or the
name OF any other member and from So
Letting any one 10 become member.
This last requirement was singular one.
1t was enacted for two reasons. First, it
was in keeping with the determination TO
appear as mysterious and 10 be as secret rs
possible. Secondly and mainly, il was de-
signed to prevent unpleasantness following
limitations. They wished to be able to say
| TO noviceG "Iou are here on your own
solicitation and not by invitationirom u.s. +"
| They desired accessions; 10 have them was
indispensable; but they knew human ma
ture well enough TO know that II they
made the impression that they wished 10
he exclusive and select, then applications
for membership would be numerous. The
result showed they reasoned correctly.
Each member was required TO provide
himself with the following outfit A white
mask for the face, with orihces for the eyes
and nosc q tall, fantastic cardboard hat,
/ -. a.
| apparent hight and in shape like those
placed on the heads OF the hCrctics former
| ~ burnt in the Portuguese and Spanish
| auto-de-fcs; gown or robe Of sufficient
| length 10 cover the entire person. The
color and material were left to the wcarer' s
/ fancy and each selected what would in his
| judgment bc most hideods and fantastic.
| Each member carried also a small whistle,
with which, by means Of code OF signals
agreed on, they held communications with
one another.
| THE INVITATIONS.
The limitations were at first conducted
| in the law office, where the khan was first
m0otcd. But Il was unsuitable. The
room was small. IL was near the business
portion Of the town, and while In session
there they never felt free from apprchen-
slons Of interruption. They soon found a
place in every respect better adapted 10
their purposes.
On the brow Of ridge that runs along
the outskirts Of Pulaski there used 10 stand
q handsome and commodious residence.
The front building was OF brick, the a.
Of wood. In December, 1885, the brick
portion OF this house was demolished by
q cyclone. The 81" remained standing.
but tcnantlcss. II consisted Of three
rooms. 4 stairway led from one Of them
10 large cellar beneath. No other houses
stood near. Around these ruins were the
stOrm.torn, limbloss trunks OF trees which
had once formed magnificent grove.
Now they stood up grim and gaunt like
spccter sentincls. A dreary, desola.c, un.
canny place Il was But il was, In every
way, most suitable for "dcn,' aud the
"klan" appropriated Il. When a meeting
was held one lictor was stationed near
the house, the other fifty yards from IL on
the road leading into Pulaski. These were
dressed in the fantastic rcgalia OF the
order, and bore tremendous spears
lin later times revolvem and repeat.
ing rillesl rs the badge Of their
Office. When an eligible candidate
desired 10 Join, the kuklux who proposed
him and the candidate approached the
sentinel Iicior. They were hailed and
halted and questioned. Having received
the assurance that they desired 10 become
kuklux, the lictor blew his whistle for
his companion 10 como and take charge Of
the noyiccs. The candidate, for In no cas-,
did a candidate know that his companion
was n kuklux, under the impression thai
| bfa cptuuaniou Wag similarly treated WA
bindioldcd and led 10 the den" ] need
not trouble the reader with the limitations
they we're ut first puerilc, ~ the khan wa
formed for amusement only, but Of sucl
nature ~ 30 insure secrecy, which iron
the very first was 10 much insisted on
For this reason, rash and imprudent mel
and those known TO be addicted 10 thu
frequent use Of ntoxicants were excluded
Later, when the Kuklux Khan assumed th'
terrible role II did, the iniiiaiory cere
monies were Of Dmconic nature, an,
they were less careful Of the characters q
! the men they admitted. Objectionable
! candidates, who persisted, were brough
into the woods 10 the presence Of TIA
grand cyclops who was standing on tire
; stump. The tall lat, the flowing robe
! and the elevated position made him appca
not less than ten feet After few irrelc
want questions the cyclops, turning 10 tia
! lictors, said, "Blindiold the candidate
and proceed" The procedure In thi
! case was to place the would.bc kuklux Il
! n barrel provided for the purpose aud sen
him whirling down hill.
THE GROWTH.
. The devices for attracting attcntio