Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1923-07-26
KU KLUX KHAN HOLD OPEN
NATURALIZATION MEETING

Perhaps the largest crowd ever
assembled here was that of Satur-
day night when the Ku Klux Khan
put on public naturalization meet
ing at the fair grounds, which was
preceded by a parade Of klansmen.
and also women Of the ladies' organ
iZation, the Kamelia. Early in the
evening khan traffic police in their
hooded white robes were at the
crossings to manage the big throng.
Many of the khan arrived by auto in
Ithe evening, and at about 10 o'clock
a special train from GAINESVILLE, of
seven coaches, brought 500 mem
bers of the khan from GAINESVILLE,
Crooksville, Roseville and vicinities.
Soon after the train arrived the
parade started, led by three rObed
figures on horseback. Next on horse
back was the color bearer, carrying
a huge flag, and as they moved
along orders were given the crowd
by one of the klansmen on horse
back, hats off to the flag" These
were the only audible words spoken
by those in the procession. Next
was the Malconta band playing On
ward Christian Soldiers then the
klansmen and women marching two
by two. Many carried small flags.
OF the hundreds wearing their
robes, many had their faces nn-
masked. 1t is stated that there
were close to 1000 in the parade
and the impressive thing about it
was the orderly quietness of those
in the procession, since not word
was spoken to each other, and the
footsteps were SO quiet they could
hardly be heard
At the fair grounds robed klans-
men were in charge of the parking
of the machines After the march
ers had assembled tney formed a
large enclosure within the race
track. Within this enclosure, di-
rectly in front of the knoll, the ex-
ercises were held. After the sing
ing of America, prayer was offered.
Then the class of over 100 marched
in from the upper part of the
grounds. and took their places at
the west of the knoll, on which were
two large fiery crosses, which were
burned during the exercises. This
was the only light on the fair
grounds. The oath was given by a
leader. in strong clear voice which
was plainly heard over the entire
fair grounds. The oath which was
of some length called for pure
American citizenship, the unfailing
support OF the constitution, the
Protestant faith, law and law en-
forcement, white supremacy, secrecy
of the khan, and as to the klan's in
structions. When the obligation
was being given it started to rain
However the rain lasted but a few
minutes, and when 1t ceased the ex-
ercises proceeded. After the obliga-
tion prayer was offered, and a dou-
bic quartet from the band while the
candidates were kneeling. played
softly "Just AS / Am" Then an
address of some length was made by
representative of the national Or
ganization. His address was SINH
lar to the others which have been
given here, and our limited space
forbids us going into detail, or even
reviewing it. After the address, the
band leading. 1.-The Battle Hymn of
the Republic" was sung, which con-
cluded the exercises. All departed
as quietly and orderly as they came.
The crowd here has been estimat-
ed at from 5000 to 5000, and while
many did not go to the fair grounds,
it is estimated that the crowd was
the largest ever assembled there on
any occasion.
1t is reported that those taken in
saturday night do not begin TO rep
resent the number now members of
the local khan, which has been in
existence here for some time