The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-11-11
Ku.KIux.KIan in Jacksonville


toned tocsin sounded, when muf1ed
hoofbeats resounded from the high
ways as horsemen rode to some
mysterious rendezvous. They lived
again the turbulent times when the
carpetbagger Jared southwark, with
his gospel of forty acres and a
mule" when the glimmer of the fam
ing cross heralded the approach of
the clansmen.
The Ku Klux exists today, just as
it existed in 1868. This is known.
In Georgia, atop Stone mountain,
whose bald summit of granite rears
in majesty above the city of Atlanta
meetings have been held. Mys-
ferrous hundreds have reared through
Peachtree road in high-powered mo-
tor cars-not in hoof-beat cadence
as in the days of reconstruction-to
keep the appointment and to answer
| the call to the cross. That the Khan
had extended it's activities to Florida
was not known. There had been
rumors naturally. But no man SEEM
ed to have definite knowledge. News
paper reporters, ambitions for news,
have questioned hundreds during the
last weeks. SIS there Ku Klux or
ganization here?" the question has
been asked, II can't say; | don't
know; | have heard so; and / have
heard it denied" the replies have in
varibly been. Who could tell?
Then last night came the vertical
ton of these rumors. The Khan ex-
lists. It's number? Who can say? For
in the line last night appeared at
least a thousand. Perhaps the num-
Der was greater; possibly not SO
many. Still the host was formidable
And it appeared as dignified and de-
termined as formidable.
Then last night, by messenger
who declared an unknown white man
had handed him the envelope, came
a message to the Times-Union. In
it appeared what purported to be
declaration of principles of the ku
Klux Khan. Briefly, according to the
message, the Khan has been formed
ITS membership is more than one
Thousand white men, reputable citl'
zens. men of affairs, business men,
the statement read.
The Khan stands for justice for al
people, first, last and always, the
H. 4 ctn dc
Hence at all times, for cooperation
with constituted legal authority; fol
the purity of the ballot, for the sancti
ty of womanhood and the home ant
lest it be made light of-for white
supremacy against all elements ant
bodies, foreign or otherwise, is men
toned last.
This, in brief, appeared a declara
ton of principles. The message came
unsigned. The envelop was plaiI
, without return address. The Knight
, of the Ku Klux Khan are regularl,
organized in Duval county, Florida,
the message read, THE membership
+ is more than a thousand. TIL
, Khan stands for the principles as lai'
: down in the chapter of the organiza
| ton. It's membership is composed o
\ reputable men. determined that tn
\ traditions of the South and of pur
Americanism shall be perpetuated"
These were the statements, in briei
, Who sent them, where they origi
, mated, none can say.
, But last night Jacksonville peopl
, witnessed a demonstration of tn
s most expressive character, none VIII
e watched the parade were able to SEQ
: watched the parade were able t
= scott. 1t had about it an air of pul
Q pose, an attitude of poise. the appear
t ance of being not only thorough
organized and properly regulated
p but we'll controlled.
1 Who comprises the Khan?
q That, in the words of the immol
/, tai o. Henry, sis another story
o and, most likely, one that will neve
Y be written. For secrecy, APPARENT!
= is the first principle Of the organize
: tion.-Times-Un Union.