The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-11

tutional laws thereof and the union of
the states Hereunder"
Perhaps the best explanation for the ex-
lstence of the organization and the causes
which gave rise to its formation is fur
n1shed by a series of interrogatories pro-
pounded to the prospective candidate for
admisslon to the order and the general
qualifications for membership as set down
IN print The candidate had to give a sat
lSIactory answer to every question. and if
ne 1eIl snort in the slightest detail ne was
not only refused admittance in the Ku-
klux kIan. but was Summariy dismissed
from the company of the examining board
with a significant and threatening ad-
monitor TO keep what he had heard or
seen an inviolate secret and never to
reveal anything pertaining to the nature
OF the order or the purposes of its or
ganiZation.
Although the questions We're searching
IN themselves, there were other Qualifica-
lions for membership, The candidates
antecedents were closely investigated and
MS whole career was reviewed
History Of the ku-KIux kIan.
The Ku-Klux Khan. at its inception. was
a club formed by some young men of
Pulaski, Tenn. who had more time than
they could employ. The purpose of the
organization was Ito furnish diversion and
amusement. The curious name was
adopted because it was perfectly mean
1ngless and threw an air of mystery
around the club, which the members took
care to increase.
sisted in riding about the country, dis
guised by masks and sheets or in any Curl
Gus manner their fancy suggested. play
ing practical jokes upon their friends.
This was in 1866. The fame of the or
ganiZation spread and branches were
formed in other places. There was little or
no connection between them and the par
ent organization 1t still remained pur-
poseless. About that time, however the
war being over, the South was in it's ere
formative period" and under military con-
troll. The negroes were given the right to
vote, but the whites who had fought
against the Union were temporarily dis
franchised by the policy of the govern
ment. influenced by the radicals in the
Republican party.
secret societies called Loyal Leagues"
under the guidance and direction of the
"carpetbaggers, irresponsible white men
from the North, who hoped for political
preferment themselves through organizing
the negro vote.
The effect upon the negro mind with it's
first taste of freedom was disastrous and
even dangerous to the white men of the
South.
Then it was noticed that the negro was
afraid of the mysterious name of the Ku-
Klux Klan, and could be held in check by
his reverence for what he supposed to be
the supernatural. The Khan had a pur-
pose. Al first it did good service in rem
dering the life and property of the white
men safe; but the power 1t obtained was
The last heard of the Ku-Klux Khan
was on March Is, 1903 when a detective
was murdered by masked men in Arkan-
sas and eleven of the band were arrested,
but they, like half of the bands in the
South were not the real Southern Ku
KluXers. The original band. it was after
ward learned disbanded in 1862 when.
by the order of the Grand Wizard of the
Empire, the "ghouls' of the various
"dens" burned their manuals and de-
stroyed all evidence of their existence.