Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-07-19

the principle feature of your eere-
mony of naturalization into the
Invisible Empire is a blasphemous
and sacrilegious mockery of the
holy rite of baptism, wherein for
political mad financial purposes, you
have polluted with your infamous
parody those things that Christians
regardless Of creed or dogma, hold
most sacred.
''I further charge that when in
your printed literature you claim
that your organization is the gen
uine original Klan,' this statement
is fraud historically and fraud
in principle. While you have-with-
out any right whatever--appro-
priated to yourself the name, regalia
and certain nomenclature of the or
iginal Klan, you scheme is radical
ly different in conception, in or
and in purpose. A
careful study, which l have made,
OF the Prescript of the original
Klan and all available history and
literature on the subject, reveals
the fact that there is little, if any
thing, in common between the two
Your false pretenses
Of 'genuineness' are therefore in
suits to the history, the traditions,
and the entire record of the South
Ever since your scheme has been
propagated, there has been
a wave of crime in the Southern
States, consisting to a large extent
Of private regulations of the pub
lie peace, committed by men who
have gone about their respective
wearing disguises and
taking into their own hands the
functions of prosecuting attorney,
witnesses judge, jury and execu-
toner, In direct contravention to
the Bill of Rights of the Fedora
and State constitutions. Men have
been dragged from their beds at
night, forcibly abducted on the
streets, conveyed to secluded places
there to be flogged, tarred and
feathered. In two instances help
less women, after being stripped |
Of their clothing, have been SINH
arly maltreated. In nearly every |
reported case, the perpetrators of
these acts of lawlessness have worn |
described as masks and
white robes, which description
correspond convineingly with the Of |
fetal regalia of the Invisible EN-
1ire.' In three specific cases, acts
II lawlessness have been so open
y and flagrantly. committed by |
Of the 'Ku Kmx Klan.
hat you have been compelled to
AXE official cognizance. In these
.hree instances where responsibility |
1as been fixed, it was very evident
hat the Illegal oath and the secret
teachings OF your Invisible EN-. |
Dire were construed by your dupes
rs granting a license to engage in |
secret regulation of the peace by |
means of anonymous warnings.
hreats, intimidatious. abduction
he whip, and the use of tar and |
'eathers. Having studied your
both from the inside and |
he outside, have no doubt what |
'ver that practically all of these .
eported outrages were committed /
" members of your organization |
t IL were proven, however, that
-our citizens were not prima
aeie responsible, at the same time
here exists a moral responsibility.
'eeause when one group of people
5 permitted to go about in disguise.
places the community at the
nerey of any group which cares to
dopt similar tactics.
Everywhere the promoters Of
our scheme have gone, they have
ought TO enlist as citizens the
-hites Gentle. Protestant public Of
ieials, especially those having In
barge the enforcement Of the law
% matter how capable. how eff
.ent, and how conscientious a pub
: official may be, if he chances
, be a jew or a Catholic, Won not
My do not want him, bat your or
anizaiion is now planning active
i to cause all the Jews. Catholics, /,
I'd foreign-born naturalised Amer
ans in this country to be removed |
-om public life. Aside from vic
ms poiitics, and in view Of the faef
at your oath is an accessory be