Evening star., 1921-10-23
Regards the Ku Klux Klan
AS Creature of False Feal

little save 10 it Affects the work.
Ing Of the human intellect 30
Eien Of al bloods. but largely OF
English. speaking tongue, consent
cd to the formation Of . govern
ment Of which the great lights
of press, freedom Of religion and
the utmost freedom Of individual
conduct consistent with the peace
and good order OF society. When 1
think Of Americans do not think
Of men Of English blood. but Of
men of whatever blood. who have
the mind to believe in our institu-
tions, the conscience to uphold
them and the will to defend them.
+ 4 = \
have not been reading with
care the prosecution or defense
OF the ku Klux Klan.l I content
myself with believing that it finds
its origin just as all such organi-
cations have found their origins In
the past. I am inclined TO believe
that even many Of its members
deprecate the existence Of q secret
Organization of this kind, but I
shall not go to the extent of say
ing that they do not sincerely
believe that It is their patriotic
duty-to combat what they believe
to be unjustifable religious and
racial Interference with the princi-
pies of the republic. cannot dis.
to organize for any purpose which
Is not inimical to the government.
They probably defend themselves
on the theory that they are not
organised for Interior purposes,
and that they have as much right
to organize as the Masons or the
Knights of Columbus or the mem
ciety. And they contend. / un-
derstand. that so long a. they
keep within the law they have a
right to limit their membership
to American-born citizens of Prot
estant Christian birth.
1t 10 not the right to organize
about which 1 write. This article
Is intended rather to call atten-
Affairs. My eight years experience
rs presiding oficer Of the United
States Senate would compel me
to say that practically all re-
ligious organizations in America
and practically every blood rep
resented in our electorate are
jointly responsible for the pres
ent perturbed state Of the public
tention to arouse spirits Of antag-
onism has existed, but antagonisms
have been created nevertheless.
Organizations. societies and clubs
have been formed within and
without the churches by men who
trace their lineage to some race
or other of people across the sea.
- m q mi N m In I'D
their religious views and mag
nifty and glorify the blood from
which they sprang. However
doubtful may be the propriety OF
these organizations. one thing 10
Sure-that q church organization.
as such. or q blood brotherhood. rs
such; @ ought never Hr s t1 Gss,s msmeriali.e %..l
The suspicion may be wholly un-
founded and the conclusion unfair.
nevertheless both suspicion and
conclusion 60 forth that the
church Is trying to influence the
state. that attempt IL being made
to control the states conduct by
the opinion of the church. Yet
use of the constitutional guaranty
Of the right Of petition. This is
unwise and impolitic.
The spectacle of bodies Of men
in America which were opposed
to our entrance into the league Of
nations because 1t would entangle
US in European affairs constantly
urging the Congress to make
declaration upon some subject or
other concerning European politics
or diplomacy would be amusing II
It were not SO regrettable. have
no desire to exhume the facts
touching the treaty of Versailles,
but I suggest that 1t would be well
for those Americans who wanted
the United States to keep out OF
European affairs to cease urging
the Congress to get into them.
however justifable resolutions they
urge may be. We had an oppor-
European difficulties and our gov
ernment rejected 1t. Let us then
keep silent about them. No con-
siderable number of American c!ti-
Gems can request the Congress to
make declaration on one side or
another of q European question.
particularly when the request
comes from persons having in
their veins the same blood as the
people in whose behalf they petit
ton. without arousing a counter
sentiment in men Of different
blood.
AS in the past. these organixa-
tions will disappear. The repub-
lie will be enabled to continue to
rely upon its one sure defense
that intelligent public opinion
which believes In, demands and
safely guards the historic battle.
ments behind which may rest in
security all those who love their
to worship God a. they will.
Copyright, 1871. BY Thomas r. Marshall.)