Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-13
STATE OF OREGON
Executive Department
Salem
PROCLAMATION

. dangerous forces are nsdiousy gaining foothold
IN oregon In the guise of secret society, paradng
under the name of the Ku Kux Klan these forces are
endeavorlng to usurp the reins of government, are
strrng up 1anatlcsm, race hatred religious prejudice
and all of these evil influences which tend toward fac
tonal strife and civil terror
Assaults have been committed in various counties of
the state by unknown, masked outlaws, the odum of
which has reflected the Ku Klux Klan Whether or
not these outlaws connected with that organization
is 1mmateria. Their vile acts demonstrate that the
name OF the organization may be used for evil purposes
and that from the nature of it's activities has the moral
effect of causing unthinkng and misguided persons
enter into unlawful conspiraces and to pepetrate
lawful deeds. ye
In sister state this or zaton is under
judicial inquiry as a result of f lous assaults and
unspeakable outrages committed q the veil of dark
ness.
Oregon needs no masked mig iders, no invisible
empire to control her affairs. Ou rts of law our law
enforcing officers whole ms ery of government
are founded on the fundament; 50 of true American
citizenship and are second to no state Star cham
ber proceedings, dark conspira behind closed DOORS
all foreign to first governmental principles
Danger turks when masked men parade the streets
missions of character known to but themselves
Officers of the law can have knowledge of the
identity character aims of individuals who conceal
their features whose oath of allegiance to private
organization holds sway in their minds, and whose
tves uncertain and unknown Even the sanctity of
our various churches no proof against their invasion
in disguise.
By virtue of the authority in vested by the const-
tuition of the State of Oregon to that the laws
faithfully executed and enforced, hereby call upon all
of the COURTS shef of the counties and any other law
enforcing officers whatsoever to guard carefully against
any infracton of the law to insist that unlawfuy dis
gused be kept from the streets, and to prevent
further ourages and maraudngs such have occurred
in of communities and in the State of
California / particularly cite Section 2046, Oregon
Laws, statute to be strictly enforced The time has
to determine whether state government shall
maintain it's orderly way, controlled by the voice of all
of the people, whether shall be turned to
secret clique can to be made the tool of invisible
forces, working in the dark toward aims unknown to
others than themselves The true spirit of Americansm
resents bigotry, abhors secret Vaccinations and ter
rorsm and demands that those who speak for and in her
cause speak openly, with their faces to the sun,
| call upon all loyal citizens of this state to give
support the proper law enforcing of the
ment in this movement against masked riders or coaked
and disguised figures who unlawfuny skulk about on
secret missions for unknown ends.
If masked men are permitted to roam promscuousy
at large it will not be long before wives and daugh
ters will safety, our homes will no longer be our
castles and the streets will be of dsgraceful
riot These practices must if there is law In our
land and true Americansm is to prevail
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, have hereto set my hand
and caused the seal of the State OF oregon to be mere
INTO affixed this 18th day of May, 1922
BEN w OLCOTT, Governor.