Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-06-21
KU KLUX PROPAGANDA
Organizer Delivers: Public Address
in Charlotte.
PRINCIPLES Of llVls'iIBfLE: ii EN- EMPIRE
Claimed That the New Organization
Has Already Made Nation Wide
Headway-AtIanta Man on the Job.

! ''eo SeNJ
Headway-AtIanta Man on the Job.
Charlotte Observer Saturday:
Principles Of the reorganized Ku
Klux Klan were dramatically and ef-
fectively told last night in the first
public lecture in this city at the
auditorium before large audience by
DIR. Caleb A. Ridley pastor of the Cen
trail Baptist church Atlanta Ca, fol-
lowing an introduction by DR.. Luther
Little pastor Of the First Baptist
church in this city.
Thrills and something of breath
lessness held the people who entered
the auditorium, as the white-robed
figures, saying never a word, ushered
attendants into the building, through
the doors, up the aisles and into their
seats by merely pointing the way.
Probably so members were attired
in these white robes. with skirt and
jacket effect, high pointed white head
gear, ending in a red tassel, and with
a white mask over the face, the only
openings being the holes for the eyes.
Several of these were stationed at diff
ferent points along the route Of the at
tendants, while the larger number OF
white -robed figures occupied posi-
tions on the stage.
While In the midst Of his dramatic
address, DR.. Ridley brought a chair to
the front, took seat and continued his
talk. Whatever the reason, at this, as
a signal, the white-robed figures on
the floor and balcony began a silent
march toward the door beside the stage
and within a minute or two, all had
disappeared, except those on the stage.
Likewise, DR.. Ridley, during his ad-
dress, peeled off his coat and cast IL
aside, for it was a hot night, turned to
his audience and said: IF any Of you
want to pull off your coats, go ahead;
I've already got mine OFF," Many In
the audience anticipated his invitation.
DR.. Ridley lived up to DR.. Littles In
PRODUCTION in at least one respect, that
he did not allow his hearers to go TO
sleep, for he kept up continuous line
Of information, humorous twists ana
turns of his speech, as we'll as of body,
stamping his feet, kneeling, pounding
the table and shaking his head and
body.
The audience rose as the orchestra
struck up America" after which Rev.
L. H. Washburn, pastor OF the Advent
Christian church, offered the opening
PRAYER, which was followed by THE
Star Spangled Banner"
"There is not one principle in the ku
Klux Klan but what believed IN 1oo
wears before was born. would rath-
er speak to a gang of Hottentots than
a. group of men in the south who nave
not always been members of this or
ganization, at least in spirit" said the
speaker.
The organization is not anti-negro.
anti Catholic, anti-Jew the speaker
asserted, saying that the Catholics
have put up a barrier which he cannot
cross and which they will not. Not one
man in authority reflects on the negro,
the Catholic or the Jew, he asserted
but added that there are lines OF de-
markation which neither can or will
cross.
One of the objects Of the organiza-
ton is to perpetuate memorial to the
spirit of the southern founders he said,
adding that it is not confined to the
south. but is all over the country, the
second best organization being In New
York city. He paid high tribute to the
wearers of the gray and to Robert E.
Lee, and also to the keen-eyed, black
whiskered leader Of the forces Of peace
in reconstruction days, Nathan B. For
rest
There have been calls enough for
speakers to come and tell the people
north of the Mason and Dixon line to
keep 25 men going for two years, ne
said, stating that seven men have al
ready been sent to the Pacific coast.
Within one day and in one state 1,222
men were received into the invisible
empire" he said.
Perils that threaten civilization to-
day are worse than any that threaten
ed the south during the reconstruction
period, said DR.. Ridley, adding that
there is not a city the size of Char
lotte but what needs q little strength
ening Of the moral and civic backbone:
ut will not be more than thousand
ar two years before that thing l am
talking about will make impossible the
neglect of law that is now permitting
neople to run wild" the speaker satd..
One of the cardinal principles OF the
order is separation Of church and state
and that is not a whack at anybody, he
said. He quoted the oft-repeated
words of Cato in the Roman senate
Carthage dienda est" Carthage must
be destroyed" saying "You must de-
stroy Carthage, or Carthage will de-
stroy you
The organization stands for uncon-
ditional protection of women and girls,
he declared, saying that the sweetes!
word he ever heard was "home." The
men of the first organization put their