Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-17

NerllSlnH OUCrcC III Dy tne hlan tne
Courier journal said editorially:
The Ku Klux Klan is financing a
nation wide advertising campaign. At
the present time there may be seen in
many newspapers of the country a full
page advertisement containing state
ment by the Imperial Wizard de-
Tending the aims and purposes of the
oath bound order which he heads.
The Ku Klux Klan rendered this
advertisement to the Courier Journal
and asked permission to buy space for
its publication. The Courier Journal
rejected the advertisement on its an
nounced belief that the Klan is un
American and a menace to orderly gov
ernment. 1t feels justified in refusing
to sell its space for propaganda de-
signed to further the interests Of an
order which has not established even a
valid ground for existence.
Emperor" Convicts Himself
Moreover, the statement of the
Imperial Wizard confirms and forti-
fies this belief in the klap's unfitness
to thrive in free country. That
statement has been provoked by vol
ley Of criticism and denunciation of the
Klan throughout the Nation. Its lead
ers are endeavoring to present their side
Of the case. Appealing as they do to
the prejudices and passions of the
American people, the Klan's arguments
do not stand the test of reason. And
as long as the rule of reason, as against
the rule of passion, Is the dominating
force of our Government, there is no
place for the Ku Klux Klan.
1T is patent that the Imperial
Wizards attempt to justify the
Klan's existence is, indeed, a brief
against it. Disclaiming that the Klan
encourages or fosters lawlessness, he
admits that its purpose is to assist the
regular officers of the law in the ap-
, pretending Of criminals and the up
| holding and sustaining of the majesty
Of the law and the honor and integrity
Of the Stars and Stripes and the Con
stitution of the United States OF
America.
Law Needs No Klan to Aid 1t
This euphemistic clause in the
statement is itself sufficient to discredit
the Khan. In effect, it means that an
auxiliary Government has been created
to supp!ement-or TO supplant-exist-
ing law enforcement agencies. Such
thing is contrary to true American
conscience. Neither an auxiliary nor
|
Grated in America. The forces of or
ganized Government, proceeding from
the people, are the only lawful agencies
Tor the enforcement Of the law and they
may not be supplemented by q private
order of regulators wearing the dis
gulsc of a fraternal body.
mus the klan, IL 1t adheres to Its
principles, must carry them out under
cover OF darkness and without warrant
10 put 1t frankly, the klan must resort
10 nothing else than mob methods ia
perform even its declared work. 1t Is
illustrative of the real spirit of the
hlan to point out that every mob that
ever conducted a lynching believed It,
sell to be an assistant TO the law
while as a matter of fact it was itself
committing a lawless act in sheer de-
nance of government.
Defense an Indictment
I'm conclusion, Mr.. Simmons says
that the klan is a legally chartered
order. That is doubtless true. The
receipt OF charter from the State OF
Georgia or any other State, however,
does not give the Klan carte blanche
to take into its hands the enforcement
or breach of law.
Those who are opposed to the Klar
on principle are entirely justified in
their opposition by the written ayowals
of the Imperial Wizard himself. His
document, intended to be defense, is
in fact, an indictment. The only con
clusiOn men Of discernment can draw
from 1t Is that the Klan arrogates tc
itself the right to establish an auxiliary
and unauthorized Government In a fire.,
country. That is sufficient for its con.
demnation' by persons OF patriotic i'm
pulsss"