Evening star., 1922-07-26
Demand That .Ku Klux Klan Be
Curbed BY Law. ~

The action of the Governor of
Georgia in demanding that the Ku
Klux Khan come into the open and
discard the masks behind which the
membership conceal identity has re-
awakened interest in the organiza-
ton, and especially in its political
aspirations. The Ku Klux is distinct
issue in the senatorial fight in Texas,
while it is taking more than a pass
ing interest In local contests in wide
ly scattered parts of the United
States. The editors generally con-
denim it and demand that it be stamp
ed out, while some Of those who are
tolerant of its existence declare that
its members must reveal their iden-
tity and cease working in secret. -
The revived and modernized Ku
klux Klan." says the Boston Traveller
"of course denies any direct connec-
ton with lynching. So long as the Ku
American theory that this country be-
longs to single race and a single re-
lfgion, 1t will be unable to shake off
the suspicion of possible connection
with every lynching. The Wichita
Beacon points that ''it is true that
been properly taken care of by the
regularly constituted authorities. but
the people eventually get the kind of
government they are willing to go
after, and the scheme of American
government is not adapted to any mi
nority-however wise -or powerful
taking over the enforcement of laws.
The people themselves must rule or
there is no such thing as an American
republic"
Every outrage fathered by the
Klan should be punished. the Duluth
Herald says, because There is no
other way to treat an organization of
this character, and this way should be
followed ruthlessly wherever possible,
to the end that this and all similar or
ganizations should be blotted, out of
the life of America There is punish
ment enough for those who practice
mob law and commit mob law out
RACES, and that punishment should
never fail of thorough and vigorous
application" When it interferes in
politics. national or local. the Klan is
distinct menace. and the Nashville
Banner characterizes it as "a treason
able organization. 1t Is cowardly and
dangerous. Any other organization
with which 1t afhliates and which ac-
cepts its aid cannot be less harmful.
There is too much strength in the
Ideals Of good citizenship. The evil
must be uprooted and destroyed"
And "the people of the country will
not submit to any mob proclaiming it.
self superior to law" insists the
Memphis Commercial-Appeal; govern
ment in this republic of ours must be
based upon law and order. and if they
are surrendered or compromised, then
government will fall"
Because the Klan is founded upon
bieetry' the ST. Louis Post-Dispatch
thinks that religion itself is menaced
by this poison, which tends to set
neirhbor against netghborA brother
against brother, and ~ the end to
bring about al religious War-the
worst of all wars Lef:ine a;. ieaoers persan IN
tant denominations. disavoW and re-
bnl.e these DEVILS advocates.,fe And In
the opinion of the New York. Evening
world there is an element IN many
communities that Is always reaoy 10
tske the law into its own hands. al
wavs ready to indulge its prejudices
and feed its hatreds under the sane.
tinn Of any risamarole OF words that
cnndones lawlessness and conceals
ment Of identity. In the last analysis
the chief strength OF the kiu hiux
.ta,ithv sDpeal to men who like to
mt on masks and pretend that ire
rnon eihle violence is higher Justice
while. in addition. the Utica Onserver-
Dispatch points out. the A!ana.Is :! AIS
..ronce fwn conditions of. mind thHt
have no place in the grand scheme OF
American progress. -
] If the claims of the organizers have
any foundation In fact the. lat,cn s,, Is
IN had way, the Chaltanooga Iimes
,thinks declaring that "a RnVernment
state Of natipnal-that
has become, SO irnbeclle it cannot en-
force its own laws, but has to rely
fdeStitv II scrupufously 6oneealeds is
.rins Tor anarchy and ruin; and s.sHtii
nation are ready TO admit their In
beciiity, there Is NO. place In /, this
Thn Rocheeter Times Union de-
m ands :.if this much discussed society
n indeed the harmless PATRIOTIC or
iranisation It claims 70 be. Why should
seek coucealment27 MeMbers
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