The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-24
THE KU KLUX KHAN.
An Historical Account of the Invisible
EmDire-Its Origin and Mo-
tiyes and Some of the
Notable Leaders.

The great play Of Rev. Thomas
Dixon, Jr.. 1.-The Clansman, is to be
seen in Raleigh at matinee and night
performances, on the fourth Of Oc-
toher.
There is no, stranger chapter in
American history than the story of the
Ku Klu<- Khan. There is no nara
tive of actual or imaginary events that
can stir the blood and fire the imagin-
alton like the record of the deeds OF
THE Invisible Empire Brought
INTO being by the atrocities and crimes
Of barbarous criminals this band OF
patriots redeemed the bleeding and
seemingly hopeless Southland from
the horrors of a Black Plague that
threatened those nearest and dearest
70 the brave hearts who had uncom-
plainingly accepted the verdict or de-
eat
Strange and eventful as was this
chapter of history its truths were
unknown North of Mason and Dixon's
line save in isolated instances, until
Thomas Dixon. Jr., wrote his two
powerful novels. 1.-THE Leopard's
Spots" and THE Clansman." THESE
books have proven revelation to the
North, where they have been read as
widely as in the South The pre-
sentation of Mr.. Dixons play, 1.-THE
Clansman,' served TO drive the wedge
home.
Born in secrecy, Graded in mystery,
and shrouded in obscurity, even
Congressional investigation committee
was unable to penetrate the secrets of
this organization Only after the
lapse of thirty years has the true his
tory of the Ku Klux Khan become
accessible 10 the public.
A brief resume of this history may
not be amiss before the coming of
THE Clansman" to this city which is
here on Wednesday, October 4th for
| matinee and night performances.
A recent magazine article by Mr..
Dixon saws:
In 1867 secret organization of
.oeace-loving. law abiding, God-fearing
patriotic Southerners met in Nashville
md organized this society" The
name Ku Kluy Khan, was first used by
! group of college boys at Pulaski
Fem, who formed secret society
With that name. They found Greek
word "Kuklos" which means circle
Dr band. From this they b,rmed the
weird mar of Ku KluX. To this was
added the word Khan. which they
spelled with a X for the ALTERATION.
The object of this society was solely
amusement, but SO potent was the
mere name that it would soon over
mystery that surrounded the move
ments of the society soon created the
impression that it had been founded
for a serious purpose. THIS feeling
was deepened by the awe which
seized the colored people and many
of the whites when members of the
Ku KluX in their fantistic costumes,
were seen on lonely roads at night.
AS the horrors of Black rule fell upon
inn
certain wise heads saw the power OF
this organization and the Ku Klux
Khan grew into a great Law and
Order League. The Ku Klux Khan be-
came necessity after ThaddeuS
Stevens and his friends had set in mo-
ton THE Union League" backed by
Federal bayonets, and aided by the
destruction Of the State governments.
Such was the inception of the Khan
''Within few months" says Mr.
Dixon, this Empire has overspread
a territory larger than modern Europe
and brought ordf< out of chaos The
triumph which they achieved was one
of Incredible grandeur. They
snatched power out of conquerors.''
All of this was done largely by the
power of fear. Their ghost-like cos
tunes their use of tricks to work
upon the superstition of the negro,
and the suddenness and unexpected
ness of their striking when punish
ment was necessary soon served their
purpose. within few months after
the appearance of the white brother
hood the disorders of anarchy were
succeeded by a strange peace, posi-
lively weird in its completeness. In
the first campaign that overturned the
negro governments of six Southern
States, and the others. one by one,
were redeemed under the inspiration
of this success"
When this had been accomplished
General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the
Grand Wizard knew that the time for
DISARMAMENT had come. and he at
once issued his orders to that effect.
These orders were promptly Obeyed
and the organization ceased to exist.
For several years after outrages were
attributed to this order but they were
| committed by individuals who. with
out authority, copied the costume and
| assumed the name of the Khan.
| Such was the end of the most re-
markable organization that this coun-
| try has ever seen and one which de-
|