The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-09-01

If the Ku KluX Khan of today is Ike
the Ku Klux Khan of other days, it has
no place in Wisconsin, is the statement
of Gov. John ]. Blaine in letter to
Mayor Daniel w. Hoan of Milwaukee
During the past few days Governor
Blaine has received letters and petit
tions protesting against the formation
of the Ku Klux Khan in this state. In
a letter to Mayor Hoan today the gov
ernor declares that an organization
which must employ means to suppress
the identity of its members can never
justify it's existence. The governor ex-
presses the belief that the citizens of
Wisconsin should be exercised with
sense. Following is Governor Blaine's
letter:
Mayor Joachim Signs Petition.
"My dear mayor:--I have received
recently petition headed and signed
by large number of citizens of Mil
waukee. / have also a duplicate of
such petition signed by the mayor Of
Kenosha, Hon. j. G. Joachim, and other
city officials of said city, together with
TIVE other petitions Of the same tenor,
all Of shich are signed by many citi-
zens of Wisconsin, in which petitions
it is represented that there is an or
ganization known as the Ku Klux Khan
in the United States with branches in
many of the states, and that an attempt
is being made to organize such society
in other states.
"The petitions also set forth that the
organization has limitations upon per-
sons joining, and the membership is
limited to persons who are white and
born in the United States, and 10000
American. 1t is further represented
that the organization does not stand
for law and order, but is movement
to intimidate the colored people, and
to terrorize all people who are not
members. The petitions further allege
that the members of such society have
committed unlawful acts outside of the
state of Wisconsin, and further set
forth that the colored and white people
of the state of Wisconsin have always
lived in peace and harmony, and it
would now be an injustice to both to
have such society organized in Wiscon-
sin and create friction between the
races
Ask Governor to Act.
"It is then prayer that l, as governor,
use my influence and do all in my pow
err to prevent the organization of the
Ku Klux Khan in this state. | might
add that like representations have been
made to me by individuals. However,
it is not claimed or alleged that the
society, or any of it's members, have
committed any overt act in the state
of Wisconsin, or violated any Of our
laws.
'We all know the history of the Ku
Klux Khan following the Civil War-a
history with as black a page of lawless-
ness as was ever recorded. In those
days the membership of the Ku Klux
Khan was made up Of men who had
assaulted our Union, committed trea-
son and caused the sacrifice of over a
quarter of a million of our soldiers
who were engaged in the defense of
our Union. That organization and it's
membership committed murder, en-
gagged in riots and night riding and the
application of the torch, and commit
ted a veritable orgy of atrocities and
crimes. In those days it met secretly,
pretended to have a ritualistic cers-
mony administered secret oath, and
wore white mask and white gown,
that apparel being evidence of the
cowardice and the criminal intent of
the organization and its membership.
That organization in those days at
tempted to suhvert the ends of justice,
to take government into its own hands
r1aS .,NA1 =,
tion denied citizens of their funda-
mental rights. That organization had
counterpart at that time of a differ
emit name, and the lawlessness and
crime became so great that it was nee
essary for the federal government to
intervene with the use of federal
troops. Such, in brief, is the history
of the Ku Klux Khan of rebel and
criminal origin.
Now, Mr.. Mayor, with such a record
and stepped in crime as the Ku Klux
Khan was, do you think that any liberr
ty-loving, law-abiding, sensible citizen
of Wisconsin is going ct join an order
that is alleged to be counterpart OF
the Ku Klux Khan of rebel days, If
in fact it is?
Knows Nothing of Present Khan.
Personally, know nothing about
the purposes of the modern Ku KluS
Khan, but notice from an advertise
ment in the Milwaukee Journal of last
Sunday that there is purported to be
such an organization, having the same
white mask and the same white robe
as the criminal organization to which
I have referred
81 cannot indulge in the presumption
however, that the Ku Klux Khan, or its
membership will engage in violence OF
crime. I must indulge them the same
presumption under our constitution
that is granted to others. No matter
how unsavory the name may be, OF
how unpleasant the memories that i
awakens, vet so long as the order Of
its membership violates no law anC
commits no crime, the executive clear
ly has no right to interfere.
Wisconsin, which in the COS SEN
nearly 100000 men to do battle for tn,
salvation Of our Union, must hav,
enough sons and grandsons of thos,