The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-22
Why the Answer Wasn't Published

Why the Answer Wasn't Published
The Times publishes today a lengthy
communication from Colonel William
Joseph Simmons, who signs himself
with the awe-inspiring title of In
perial Wizard of the knights of the
Ku Klux Khan. A little explanation
right here may not be out Of place
The letter, which is a criticism Of an
editorial appearing in The Times a
few days previous questioning the pro-
pr1ety and necessity of reviving long
forgotten title, was received through
and would have been replied to i'm
mediately, but for the unfortunate fact
that through some misadvertance one
page was mislaid and lost We immed-
lately notified the imperial wizard of
the fact and requested a perfect copy
Had he been as inclined TO be fair, as
he credits US with being, he would
have complied with our request, but
he publishes 1t in the Searchlight, a
journal devoted to furthertng the aims
Of the K. K. K, published in Atlanta,
which advertises itself as mot mould
Ell but a chronicle of public opinion"
We shall reply very briefly to the
letter of the imperial wizard, for we
regard the whole affair as too puerile
to be worth serious consideration. If
the Searchlight is "chronicler of pub
lie opinion" as it claims, why does
1t not chronicle the fact that a large
majority Of the reputable papers of the
south, including Florida, discredit the
organization and deplore its existence
under a name which revives so many
unpleasant memories, which would bet
ter be forgotten?
We do not ignore the fact that the
original K. K. K. had a mission to per-
form and perform it thoroughly and
well, even though it's methods at times
were extra-1egaL 1t was organized in
the dark days Of reconstruction when
the south was overrun by a horde of
carpetbaggers backed up by ignorant
negroes Just out of slavery, who seized
the reins of government and plundered
the people right and left. But those
conditions no longer exist. The courts
of the south are in the hands of the
southern people, and they are func-
tioning in an orderly and legal man
ner. Their DEGREES are carried out
by officials of the south's own choos-
ing White supremacy is not disput-
ed, and at the same time the rights
of the negro are maintained inviolate.
He has his day in court, as the white
man has, and is assured of justice.
He is progressing in wealth ana ed
ucation and in the esteem of his white
II there is any need of a mysterious,
extra legal organization, working in
the darkness and secrecy of night, with
blood curdling oaths and terrifying re-
gala, to assist the duly appointed Of
ficers Of the law in keeping peace and
order. we have not yet sensed it. Nor
have we any positive knowledge that
the regular officers have ever appeal
ed to this mysterious organization for
assistance in maintaining law and or
der, although the imperial wizard as
serts that TO be a fact. We will admit
If he win name dates and
occasions.
So far as our assertion that the X.
X. X. furnishes q cloak for evil-mind-
ed law breakers is concerned, the i'm
perial wizard has only to read the
to see its correctness. In
deed he acknowledges its truth in his
letter when he says: Suppose here
and there some person does commit an
robe, or sends a threatening letter IN
the name OF the Ku klux Khan" which
is proof enough. And we have noticed