Milford chronicle., 1922-12-15
KU KLUx KHAN AND THE PUBLIC

NENSH-
Two incidents of local occurrence within last three
days have served to bring the Ku Klux Khan prominently
before the people of Wilmington.
On Sunday evening eight men, wearing the habila-
ments of the Kan marched into Kngswood NJ E. Church
proceeded altar handed fifty dollars to the pastor
be used in purchase of Thanksgiving baskets for dis
trbuon among poor and then marched out That was
the fine side of Khan activity.
Last night there opened in The Playhouse, for the
first three nights this week, play entitled masked
Men" It is an ant-Ku Klux Khan production, framed
specifically create and foster public sentiment against
the organization It shows the Kan actuated by racial
Igious and personal hatred committing intimidation IN
trgue murder to further its social political and other
purposes That play is well staged to produce the effect
desired acting is fine in the main, the stage settings
are both good and striking and the plot finds its climax In
startling surprise In short in view of the fact that the
Khan upon the tongue of all Americans 1t is play
worth SEEING because Of the sets and the acting but
which not be taken too seriously as an accurate
portrayal of the activities Of all Ku Kux Kans even
of most of them
Agitation in the press Of the national capital and dis
cusson on floor the United States Senate have made
the operations of the Ku Khan subject Of national
attention. '}etAl
Recently the Governor Louisiana journey to Wash
ngton to seek the aid national government in sup
pressing Khan and the day three citizens OF
Arkansas were life Imprisonment after plead
ing guilty to numbering who had appeared at
public meeting dressed in Klan garb.
It is to be regretted that Of this kind thrust
themselves upon the attention Of the country, but nat
uray such serious charges and counter charges COM
ing high admitted by pleas Of guilty.
cannot be ignored.
In recent elections candidates for the United States
Senate endorsed by the Khan successful in Texas and
Georgia candidates endorsed by the Klan
elected in Oregon and Kansas The issue is not,
therefore, local one.
According it's public announcements made in Della
ware and elsewhere chief purpose of the Khan is to
teach Americanism and preserve peace and order.
Enforcement Of law and preservation Of the public
peace are greatly to be desired but in this day and age
accomplishment Of these ends ought not require the
activity of any others than public officials.
In most States peace officers elected every two
years and in some States the recall is in force. Off
not enforce the laws and protect life and property
there should be adequate remedy at the ballot box with
out any resort to force by private citizens
In the South, in reconstruction days. and in the far
West pioneer days. there undoubtedly need for
vigilance committees and summary punishment Of out
laws, but surely that day has passed.
At this stage in our governmental development If one
set officials does not enforce the laws is easy to turn
them out and elect others who will No one can object to
a remedy Of that kind
Any movement in the direction Of AmericanizatiOn is
to commended whether undertaken by secret society
or by any individual group We have too many people
in this country who not in sympathy with nst
buttons There are too many people Of European birth
or ancestry who cling their hyphens and, yet
hold to the Of certain European The expo
nents of bolshevism notable examples. Emma Gold
man was specimen. Our government wisely and justly
returned her to the land ideals she espoused There
are many others whose hearts likewise responding to
the sentiments Of European leaders but whose overt acts
do not permit deportation they American citizens
In such cases, however great be the provocaton
there should resort to violence If laws cannot be
enacted and enforced effectively suppressng antAmeri
can influences of this Sort is better to suffer the evils
than leave the punishment to private action especially
when such action is sure find many innocent victims
The Ku Klux Khan movement like many Others Is
probaby not as bad as sometimes is represented in the
heat of passion nor benefits great its adherents
claim in the warmth of their enthusiasm. The country