The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-04-01

from the other world would Visit
them. hence the negroes became
much subdued.
1t must not be understood that this
noble band that took their lives into
their own hands. were ever unkind
or cruel TO an innocent negro. Far
from it: many instances could be re-
lated where they protected the just
right to the faithful ones. Mercy was
always uppermost in the heart of a
true X. X. X.
The klan's watch words were. the
cunning of the fox, the bravery of the
lion. The sign to distinguish broth
er was thus: described by reader)
There was at all times perfect CO.
operation between the klans. 1t was
often necessary to secure the assist
ance OF a brother klan and MEM
Der of the Klan was sent. This was
considered an honor as only those OF
unquestiOnable bravery were select.
ed. AS soon as the neighbOring klan
was located. the message was deliv-
cred, the Grand Cyclops blew his
whistle. their sign OF command. In
a few minutes every horse and man
was disguised, and at the second
hn
moved away. not a word was spoken.
But we will not follow the klan.
They are on a mission of stern duty;
a deed of justice is about to be per-
formed and woe to the guilty wretch
that falls under the condemnation OF
the Klan.
The sworn secrecy and binding
oath made a bulwark OF defense as
strong as Gibraltor. Many OF the
secrets were locked up in the breasts
of the ku KluX and never given to
the world. The Ku kluX warnings
to offenders were in keeping with
their mode of carrying on affairs.
mysterious and terrifying, often by a
figure dangling from tree or some
such sruesome emblem with a warn
ing to negro or scalaWag. to be-
ware.
The Eu Klux were opposed to
shedding OF blood and violence was
never used except in extreme cases.
Many violent deeds We're put upon
the shoulders OF the klan Of which
they we're entirely innocent. They
did only their stern duty and silent
ly stole away.
The Invisible Army gave back to
its beloved land much that she lost
during four years of bloody carn!-
val OF death Restored in a meas
ure tie grandeur and majesty that
was the envy Of all the world in days
gone by. no nobler or grander men
ever gathered on the earth than
those assembled in the meeting places
of the Klan. No human hearts were
ever moved with nObler impulses.
The love OF law and order. the pre-
se.yat:0n Of the home. the protec-
r;on OF virtue Of their nohlest wo-
a:arhood in all annals Of time moved
these men 70 action.
IN February. 1859. Gen. Forrest,
Grand Wizard Of the Invisible En-
r;re. i&sned a proclamation to his
subjects to disband and this strange
and mysterious order having accom-
ul:shed its great mission in relieving
the South Of Carpet bag rule. passed
out OF existence forever. They
marched silently through Nashville.
though it was crowded with militia
and police. whose orders were TO
tace them dead or alive. but who
were so overawed by the brave, mys-
terious band as not to make the
SllSnpSt mo! ciIlSIi vi aiiVoN' '"N 60
lowed them to silently march up
Capitol Hill. then down and out OF
the city into the forest to the meet
ing place. where the chaplain led in
PRAYER for the last time. The men
disrobed, drew from their horses the
disguise and solemnly buried the
regalia. sprinkling them with the
ashes of the burned ritual. This
weired ceremony ended the most re-
markable revolution in many re-
spects in history. The Ku kluX Khan
was born in mystery. lived in mys-
terry. and mystery will ever shroud
its grave. The Invisible Empire
vanished in a night and has been
seen no more by mortal man.
Too long have we Of the South re-
manned silent and perhaps our 81
lence has been construed as an ac-
knowledgement OF shame Of being
connected with the X. X. X. and its
history. whereas. it should be our
proudest boast that it was organized
and kept up by our bravest men.