The Monroe journal., 1922-12-08

Ideals That Any Public Man Should
Belong to An Organization Whose
Membership Is Secret and Purpose
Unknown.
If Henry A. Grady. judge-elect in
the Sixth Judicial district will neither
affirm or deny his affiliation with
the ku klux klan, the public should
inquire through proper channels into
his connection with secret organiza-
tions, declared John R. Baggett, sem
ator-elect from Harnett county who
will offer a measure in the coming
session OF the General Assembly out
lawing all such organizations from
the state, says the News and OBJ
server.
Though asked daily for more than
two weeks TO answer the allegation
made by DR.. Oscar Haywood that he
is a leader IN the ranks of the In
visible Empire, Mr. Grady has main
tained silence except for the state
ment that he is not yet ready to talk.
For a week or more he was not
available for interview, and since
that time he has declined to make
any statemac. for publication.
In my opinion judge or any
other State Of Ger who holds MEM
bership in secre, order, the pur-
poses of which are kept secret, and
the identity OF whose members is
hidden, should not be permitted to
longer hold office and affiliate with
such an organization" Mr.. Baggett
declares. II cannot conceive that
Mr.. Grady would belong to such an
organization and still expect the peo-
pie of North Carolina to support
him."
Indications in the past two weeks
would make it seem that Mr.. Grady
will take the oath of office without
committing himself on the affilia-
ton with the Klan with which DR..
Oscar Haywood connects him. In
that event one of the first steps Mr..
Baggett will take, as a member of
the General Assembly, will probably
be resolutions calling for an investi-
cation.
Mr.. Baggett continues:
"Such atfiliation is not in keeping
with the spirit of our government.
which was founded upon political
freedom and religious liberty. II we
hold to the noble and fundamental
principles enunciated by our forefa-
thers-which were founded them
selves upon the teachings of the meek
and lowly Nazarene-we must stand
for open and public enforcement of
the laws of this country and not for
any clandestine administration.
Opposes Invisible Empire
Il yield to no man in my loyalty
or enthusiasm for the enforcement Of
the laws Of our country, by the prop
erly constituted authorities, but |
shall always oppose, and believe
it is the duty of every good citizen
to oppose any secret or invisible en-
pire or organization unwilling to d.
vulge its membership, its purposes,
or its aims. | cannot see how any
man can take an oath to support the
high ideals and purposes of our con-
stitut.on and at the same time en-
gage in, be a party to, aid and abet,
or give cover to any secret screened,
masked organization that has no
place in this wide, open, free Ameri-
can government of ours
Not Benefit to Man
"When a prominent member of any
secret organization" Mr.. Baggett
continues, "is ashamed and afraid to
get on his feet in public, or to the
press and relate the fundamentals Of
his secret order, the purposes for
which it exists, or divulge the benev-
olen, acts it has done and explain
its place in society, then that organl-
zation is not benefit to man nor
to the community in which it exists.
1t certainly does not appeal to Amer
lean ideals of government.
"The officer, either State or coun-
ty (and ministers who permit the
white r0bed ones to walk down the
aisle and leave $50 notes might be
included here) who accepts any Sc
cret influence to enable him to carry
on his work is simply shutting off the
power the government (and in the
case of the minister, Jesus) has cloth
ed him with. If it should be proven
that such an one believes in the
screened and masked mobs, he
should Be dealt with by the authority
given tie people under our Constitu-
ton and impeachments brought to rid
society Of him.
Can't Serve God and MammOn
IF Mr.. Grady belongs to such an
organ cation, and it is the kind It
is generally reported to be, then, |
think, as have previously said, that
he should MAKE its principles public
and defend them before the people,
But he cannot serve God and man.
mon. He cannot serve secrecy in gov
ernment and be good, open Ameri-
can citizen.
I'm the beginning of this govern
ment our forefathers ordained and es-
tablished the Union for the purpose
of perpetuating justice, domestic
tranquility, common defense, general
welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty to themselves and posterity.
Under this government we have pass
ed laws prohibiting any secret organ
ization whose purpose it is to in any
way engage in political campaigns or
advocate secret political principles.
Nv hill proposes TO take the masks