The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-21

WASHINGTON, D. Co. Aug.
a1.-It was learned today that the
Ku Klnx klans sudden appearance
as a dominating factor IN Demo
cratic politics in some of the
states of the Solid South has
spread alarm in the high places
of that party's organization. ThaE
fear that it will eliminate most
of the chances that they thlnh
their party has to make suostan-
tial gains in the northern states.
1t isn't the loss of the colored vote
that is feared-for the cotored
brother and his woman are not 4
factor in helping the Democratic
party into Official control It's
the Catholics and the Jews-an-
other religious creed and another
race-that the Ku Klux is the
oath-bound, secret enemy of-that
are receiving the considerable at
tention of the national Democratic
leaders as they gather round the
table to map out the plan of this
years campaign. A majority Oh
Catholics are members of the
Democratic party, and a sizeable
proportion of Jews.
The Ku K1ux is distinctly pro-
duct of the South. 1t originated
there was reborn there, has the
bulk of its membership there. and
is this year potential factor
there. AS a political problem 1t is
an annex of the Democratic party
in a section of the nation where
that party is so strong its rule is
supreme In some States, notably
Texas, it is so powerful that it may
be dominant The vote next Nov
ember will decide that Oklahoma
is another outstanding example OF
the ku KluX menace. Texas may
send Mayfield, the ku KluX can.
didate, to the. United Statest Sen.
ate. He is opposed by only Fergu-
son. ex-governor, impeached and
ousted from office. and deprived
from holding any state office, be-
cause he couldn't keep his hands
admitted by Democratic leaders
i here that the Lone Star State is
in bad way.
The Democratic party and the
Ku KluX Khan are partners in the
Solid South. It may be. and un,
idoubtedly is, an unwilling and
an unhappy partnership. but it is
partnership nevertheless, and a
going political concern with each
partner trying to get the upper
hand of the other.
What effect is that going to
have on Catholics and Jews who
are members of the Democratic
party in the states north OF
Mason-Dixon? That is the question
the big leaders of that party here
are struggling with. It is hardly
to be hoped for by them even ir
their most hopeful hours, that il
will have no effect VIVA tsoever.
| What to do to offst or reduce to {
minimum the unfavorab1e effec
thisfs naturally looked for from
the circumstances, is still another
one OF their problems.
| The sudden rise of the Ku Klu!
Khan in the Solid South as a poll
tical unit that is, in many places
strong enough to challenge the
| control Of the Democratic part!
organization. is not only regarded
as a great menace. but is a mos
serious POLITICAL embarrassment.
Members Of the religious creed
and races that the ku klux Kiai
is the sworn enemy OF are no
likely to view the situation which
is presented to them by the SOLE
South without doing all that the:
can do along the line of prepared
ness for protection and defense
Self preservation is still yer!
| first law OF human nature, relis
i iousS creeds and racial units The:
are most likely to resent the politi
cal alliance in the Solid South b,
making a new political allianc
!. for themselves in their northerl
states homes to conserve thel
best interests. They will hardl,
care to be parties to taking IN
risk of having Democratic Con
leress in Washington after mex
November, controlled! as all Dem IN
ocratic Congresses are, by tn
4 Solid South with good: