The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-28

VI Arutn. and the Degree ol No. " sh. order-Justice Trnth and Mercy. Broth CTS of the first degree wore wnlte .s: blue regalia was worn by those III ths second degree. and red in the tntru. ,
 Ine nrst- degree cand1dates structed in their. duties to their country and to the constitution and governmen. as founded by the fathers; tne pIo.neis or the second degree were tausns ."et1 t duties, to themselves as White Men eo whom at it's foundation the administFs- tion of the sovernment was committed; the third degree White Men were IT structed in their duties to otners-noW to conduct themselves as White Men snoulu.
 The teachings in the third oesree were To judge from inc speeches made. the charges and the obligations taken ses- sion in this degree was equai 70 Srh- u, day school and 6 class meeting. Tne twelfth chapter of Romans verses .o 2D was read to the candidates. who were oidden to take the Bible as tne rue "I faith and practice for all good white Men"
 But older and more earthly principles were inculcated in the two lower degrees. In the beginning the would-be brothers were informed that the older was based on the supposition that White Men were capable of self-government. and that the object of the society was the amenoraton of the sorrows of the white race
 The first degree White Men learned as first principle that the powers and ad- ministration of the government belonged to the white race: they were pleoged 10 support the Constitution and to regard as common enemies and treat accordingly all men who attempted to pervcrt It's sacred provisions to the detriment of the white race. There must be no resistance to laws however; redress should be sought only at the ballot box. Tt will be your first duty" the Worthy Com mander charged. "to support for official positions only white men and the friends of white mem" but he said there was no desire on the part of the order to inter fere with anyone's political convictions.
 During the initiatory ceremonies the candidates were not blindfoided, nor did they kneel to take the solemn oaths at the altar. They were white men to whom the powers of governpent were committed, the equal of all. and inferior to none. Consequently 1t would have been unbecoming for them to be made ridiculous. or for them to kneel before their equals
 mander was: q charge each of you to act as becomes white men. In the second degree was inculcated "the truth In reference sto the duty to our race as connected with our country and It's form of government" since partisan zeal has too long been mistaken for love of coun- try and patriotism
 The Bible was quoted Genesis, chap ter 9 to prove that the various races had by divine appointment through Noah been assigned different places in which to live and had prospered only when living in the place appointed. It was asserted that the descendants of Shem and Ham, the brown and the black races-were of mixed blood and therefore inferior to the sons of Joseph-the pure blood "ruddy whites" To Ham had been given the South (Africa) in which to live; to shem. the middle regions: while to Joseph was assigned the North and West. But the white race was not to be confined to these places, for was 1t not written that Joseph was ito over run the borders of Shem and dwell in his tents?' Then why should 1t be thought incredible that our country was designed by the same Divine descended from Joseph? The fact was cheerfully recognized by the order of the White Men that "other races, and Indeed all races of mankind. are entitled to a common humanity. and have rights that we are bound to respect, still 1t insisted that "the power and adminis- tratlonJ of our government belong legiti- mate to the white race"
 God requires as duty which you owe to yourself. your race, and their posterl- ty the Worthy Commander taught that you put forth every exertion to preserve Akhe administration. of your government in the hands If your people" since It lis the result of the energy and intelligence or your race, Wnlch must pc pEesuiEeu from the mildew 3f amalgamation."
 Patriotic songs, such as America, were sung during the meeting and pray CTS by the Worthy Chaplain were numer- ous but short. The Bible was in cvi- dence on all occasions of swearing to oaths. The picture of George Washing ton was hung over an altar and members were bidden to model their conduct as White Men after his example.
 Instruction in the private work of the order was given at each meeting: but of the nature of the private work the printed matter tells nothing.
 Much might he inferred, however from the principles declared. The white" principles of this order resembled those proclaimed by the Knights of the White Camelia, a Southern organization that flourished in the late eos and early 70s.