The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-10-16
WHY NO AMERICAN SHOULD Be A KLANSMAN
By ]. S. FERRIS

By j. S. FERRIS
THREE considerations, bearing the discussion but
ot an integral thereof may properly enough be set
ut at the beginning:
First, I am native-born; and am not a negro Jew
Catholic
Second am opposing the Kan; am not defending
ny OF the groups against which the Kan di-
ected At one point in the discussion 1 do indeed repel
The imputation that Catholics crimnaly conspring
10 overthrow civic institutions but the alb
urdity of such preposterous charge scarcely
u oefense May we not regard defense a more
serious undertaking?
Third, am opposing the Klan, not attacking it The
Nan is on the offensive 1t openly boasts nominating
ONE men for public office in Colorado and of defeating
'hers came to the point in my candidacy for state
naor where had to ally myself with oppose it
e' some klansmen it seems, trying to make ap-
ear that seized this issue for political advantage
recall that Abraham Lincoln had to similar
harge. In 1858 Douglas protested: "Why not leave
slavery alone and quit talking about t?" Lincolns an
wer was about all that could be desired: his is the
ocy here at the North that Douglas ating-tat
We are to care nothing about slavery ask YOU if it
not false philosophy? Is it not false statesman
mp that undertakes to build up system policy upon
ne nass OF caring nothing about the very thing that
@efybody does the about?' The Klan nomi-
ates candidate for each of the Federal senatohps of
oorado; candidate for governor and for various other
a'e ohces and yet some Klansmen gravey
Don't bring the Klan into politics" The Klan stands
ack of my opponent and threaten me with defeat if
not line up with it, and when prefer remain aloof
xclaims: See how he attacks the Klan for political
advantage"
No. l am not attacking the Klan; i merely resist
ng it decline to be state unless I can be
ee should like to the entire constituency of the
leventh District. believe that could intelligently
md mpartially discharge the duties of the office.
1hermore have confidence that could without detr
ent to the rest of the state materially
e-ests of this district know the machinery of
overnment know the mounting costs of government.
know the subject of taxation farmers case
md the business mans know the lot of the aborer
l'pO1t H<HtL tla,
'ence in them am of these people But the office
which seek will not accept with any string attached
VIII not undertake to the natveborn against
he gnborn; the white as against the negro; the
Gentle against the jew the against
Catholic must be permitted to the whole people,
or decline service altogether And because have
confidence that the majority of the this senator
al district prefer a candidate who considering
he rights of his feowcitizens recognizes neither race
DOR, creed clan that readily accept the challenge
# the Ku Klux Khan.
The Ku Klux Klan is unquestonaby the natural pro-
of social corditons that the claim which
than half dsarms that the Klan would be
here, if there need for it. contains much truth
The Klan presenday institution originated in Geor
gia 1t born in where the problem is
specially acute. The World War intensified white pre-
iudice against in every state where the negro
population is large Two million negros were registered
fo military service five hundred Thousand drafted
md two hundred thousand went 1t inevi
toble that practically all the Southern negroes should
etrn not quite abe fit into the old environment. In
eneral they sophisticated by their experience in
he wider world; some of thsm cocky impudent and
'Gwess The whites resented this, and again rising
efore them the cd and hideous negro domi
1"tion In state like GsCrga where the negro popu-
alton practically couas the white and in many counties
xcseds it, this is of all fears the most disqueting
Moreove, there be little doubt that many of the
whites in Georgia in all of this country were
dangerously changed by the War. The crime which
fter the Armatce ST. cad this country, is much
testimony to how fa'its of vclerce were continued
nd revengefu feen freely INDUCED To some Geor
gians called for prompt and drastic action
The whites put the rogers in their place the
word which went round Why should the whites yield
themselves fear Let the fear, instead There
! be equality, bargaining. no favorseekng from
tlhe negro The whites rule