The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-21
0VER 2,OOO ENTER KLANSNE ORDE ER
Thousands Witness Impress Sive Ceremony And Hear
 Imperial Lecturers Talk

oi'C OCi CiiIUlly Hilu H6dl
 Imperial Lecturers Talk
 Characterizing the Ku Klux Klan as the embodiment of the old-fash- toned and now almost forgotten prin- ciples on which the American gov ernment was founded and declaring that the principles of the Klan and the doctrines of Americanism and were one and the same. Dr. Lloyd r. Bloodworth, imperial lecturer of the knights of the Ku KluX Klan, at a huge "Naturaliza- tion" ceremony at East Lake park Tuesday night, pledged the strength of the organization he represented to the, work of making America better place for Americans to live in.
 Dr. Bloodworth took a stand for law enforcement and paused in his formal address long enough to speak a word of praise for Commissioner Shirley and other Birmingham citi- zens and public officials whom he mentioned as representing a high type of citizenship. The Age-Herald was also praised as an exponent of high standard of Americanism. The speaker urged support of the consti- tuition, including all it's amendments.
 V
 over 2,OOO New Members.
 Nathan Bedford Forrest Klan No. 60 was in charge of the ceremonies marking the induction of more than 2,0o0 new members into the order, but many members from various or ganizatons throughout the country were on hand and assisted. Heralded as the biggest ever held in the soath,r Tuesday nights celebration j,. ,l,n 1ax- sands of members and non-members of the klan as the occasion or per haps the most impressive ceremony ever staged in the state.
 O. o O
 Night Was Ideal.
 The weather was ideal for such ceremony It is not know whether those responsible for the selection of the date consulted the almanac with suited to such a ceremonial; but more fitting night could not have been wished for. The moon shone brightly, so brightly that it illumined the parades of white -robed figures as they emerged from the woods and marched around the field to the beat ing of drums. The stars also were out The weather was crisp but not to cool, and the stiffness of the air made the speakers voice distinctly audible even in the outskirts of the crowd.
 Big Barbecue Served.
 The celebration started at o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and a huge barbe cue supper was served at o'clock. This was followed by pr. Blood worth's address at 7:S0 and the Nat uralization" of approximately 2,oOO new members at S:30. The celebra- tion was brought to a close by huge pyrotechnic display.
 Plans were made for 10000 peo- pie, but it was estimated that many more were on hand. Electric lights had been strung up at various places over the field and were clustered around the speakers stand. The East Lake park and Tidewater street car lines had extra cars in serV1ce 10 handle the crowds, while many nun dreds went in their own automoolies so as to be free from the necessity of standing in line and waiting TOT their chances to board crowded car. Some estimated that more than 50,000 men, women and children were pres
 "Much has been said in recent months about 100 per cent Amerl- cans" declared Dr. Bloodworth Tn pe- ginning his address. The 100 per cent American is the man or woman who loves the American flag better than any other flag on eartn' ons who loves American institutions ana one who would be willing, if need ne' to die for the perpetuation, or these principles and ideals.
 o O O
 BuIwnrks Of Nation.
 Four great institutions were reIeT- red to by the speaker as the bull
 tho ArneriCan nation ana inc guarantees of the rights ana liberties of free men and women. These principles were the hCr1stian church. the old-fashioned American home based on the old-fashioned re ligion, the public schools, ana the federal constitution, which was ue- clared to be the greatest single docu- ment in the world with the excep- tion of the Bible. It is the work or tbe Ku Klux Klan, Dr. BloodWortn said to defend these institutions ana help preserve the liberties of thought and life and conscience of which they are the symbols.
 q place the church Of the livlns God at the head of the institutions that have made America great ana will keep her great" he said. rms church can never be replaced US place will never be taken by another It is what inspired our forefathers in their struggle to establish the American nation among the nations of the world.
 "The American home must also be preserved" he continued. Whether ft be humble as the song writer de- scribed it, or palatial, 1t is one of the mainstays of the nation ana ol our civilization. It is there that man finds love, peace, God ana nap piness. It was Henry Grady who once
 F,If capitol building in Washington rep resented the strength of the nation, but after visiting in Chrlstlan family he went back to Washington and told his fellow senators that strength lay not Tn ner buildings, but in her homes and the men and women who are trained Tn them." Fs|4f Praises School System.
 The speaker spoke in high praise of the American public school system, declaring it to be the best Tn the world, but recommended that several changes be, made. in 1t to flt !. to the task of educating the highest type of citizenship. He urged that no one be permitted to teach in a public school who was not an American citizen and strongly opposed the use of any language in the school room except English
 It is the duty of the klan. he point ed out, to help renew faith in Amer ican institutions and raise the moral and personal standards of the Amer ican people, which, he said have suf- fered a great change for the worse since the war This lowering of moral standards is in evidence every where, he continued, in the frank and free relations between boys and girls, the slackening of parental au- thority and the increase in drunken ness among members of both sexes.
 The Ku Klux Klan is founded on