West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-03-22

The only two copies of thi.
Ritual known to exist are to be
found in the Library OF Columbia
College and the archives of the
State of Tennessee. Its author is
General George w. Gordon, of
Memphis.
The portrait of the Rev. w. w.
Landrum, ID. D., pastor of the First
Baptist Church OF Atlanta, Ga.
suggests very little of the desperado.
| DIR. Landrum is graduate
OF Brown University, Providence,
Rhode Island, and is a type Of the
boys OF extreme youth who formed
the rank and file OF the Klan; dar.
ing young knights Of the South,
they were, who rode with their life
in their hands, a song on their lips
and the scorn of death in their souls.
An extract from letter written
to me by the Rev. ]. A. Clifton, of
orangeburg, S. c., gives his official
rank al was the Grand Cyclops
OF the East Chester den and my
territory was very large. DR.. Brat
ton, OF York, was the Cyclops ad.
joining me, and We were compelled
to do many severe things in these
days to protect our homes. fear
was almost a savage in keeping
savages in their places, but | felt IT
was my duty" This territory is
the immediate scene of my novel
"The Clansman."
One of the most interesting
hgures in the inner history of the
klan is that of Hon. John w.
Morton, the present Secretary of
the State of Tennessee, who vas
General Forests chief Of artillery.
Pale and boyish in appearance, he
was in fact but boy, yet he won
the utmost confidence ofthe General.
who relied on him as Stuart did on
Pelham, and Lee on Jackson.
Forrest called him the 'little bit of
kid with a great big backbone"
When the rumors of the Ku Klux
klan first spread over Tennessee,
Forrest was quick to see it's posi-
bilities. He went Immediately to |
Nashville to find his young chief of
artillery.
"Morton," he said, al hear this |
KIan is organized in Nashville, and
/ know you are in 1t. want TO |
Join"
The youngsler fenced, smiled and |
gave vague answers.
The General swore little and
said
"Shut mp, you can't fool me. If
this things in Nashville, you're in
it, and I'm going to get in if kick
the door down. Its appeal to the
terror OF the negro and its profound
secrecy, if linked with wise leader
ship and merciless daring at the |
proper moment, will save the
South !"
The young man avoided the issue
and took his old commander for
ride. Forrest persisted in his ques.
tions about the Klan, and the youth
kept smiling and changing the sub.
iect. On reaching a dense woods
in a secluded valley outside the
city, Morton suddenly turned on
his former leader and said
General, hold up your right
hand /"
Forrest did as he was ordered,
and the youth, trembling with excite
ment and his eyes misty with tears. |
solemnly administered the prelimi- |
nary oath OF the order.
That night the general was made
a full aedged clansman and was
soon elected Grand Wizard Of the
Empire.
Forrest was so elated over the
success OF his mission, he remained
over day to help young Morton
with his girl who was hesitatipp
over the eyentful issue Of life. She
fairly worshiped the daring Cen
eral and when he declared to her
that Morton was the man OF all
men for her she gave her consent. a
beautiful welded life OF twenty.
seven years followed Three sons
and one daughter blessed their
union and all three OF these sons
leaped forward to defend the flag
the morning President Mckinley
called for volunteers in 1903.
The order Of dissolution of the
Klan as issued by General Forrest
was in every way characteristic Of
the man When the white race
had redeemed six Southern states
from negro rule in 1870. the Grand
Wizard knew that his mission was
accomplished and issued at once
his order to disband. The execu.
tion Of this command by young
Morton, the Cyclops Of the Nash