The Minnesota fiery cross. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1924-19??, 1924-05-16

III the purposes and principles OF
the Khan were along the lines alleged
by you, your remarks would be en-
tirely justified. However, your re-
marks, as quoted in the newspapers,
were absolutely misleading and bald
misrepresentation of the things
which the Khan stands for, and | as
head Of the Khan in this locality,
cannot let them pass unnoted and UNI
challenged. Contrary to your state
ments, the following are the cardi-
nal principles of the Khan:
THE XII KLUX KREED: We, the
Order Of the Knights of the Ku Klux
Khan, reverentially acknowledge the
supremacy of the Divine Being, and
recognize the goodness and the prov
idence of the same. We recognize
our relation to the government of the
United States of America, the su-
premacy of its constitution, the I'M
ion of states Hereunder, and the con-
stitutional laws thereof, and we shall
be ever devoted to the sublime prin-
ciples of pure Americanism, and
valiant in the defense of its ideals
and institutions. We avow the dis
tinction between the races of man
kind as same has been decreed by
the Creator, and shall ever be true
to the faithful maintenance of white
supremacy and will strenuously OPP
pose any compromise thereof in any
and all things. We appreciate the
intrinsic value of a real, practical,
fraternal relationship among men Of
kindred thought, purpose, and ideals,
and in the infinite benefits accruable
therefrom, and shall faithfully de-
vote ourselves to the practice of an
honorable Klannishness that the life
and living of each may be constant
blessing to others.
"THE SPIRIT OF TOLERATION:
Contrary to the charge made by our
enemies that the Khan cultivates ra-
cial hatred and fosters religious pref
udice, it is the very name and per
sonification of federation and fairness
We teach that all men, irrespective
of race, color, creed, lineage or
tongue, have a perfect right to ex-
ercise and enjoy the rights guaran-
teed them under the constitution Of
the United States, and we practice
this doctrine in its dealings with 9TH
ers. The Khan never interferes with,
interrupts, molests or disturbs any
one in these privileges. We will new
err interfere with anybody's religion,
political or fraternal gatherings or
parades, no will we deny anyone the
right of peaceable assembly in pub
lie buildings, the freedom of speech,
the freedom of press or the freedom
of worship. We do not discriminate
M
religious or POLITICAL vreed, so far
as their rights as citizens are con-
cerned. If the opponents of the Khan
would practice the same spirit of toll
Grafton there would never be any
friction, i'll will, strife or bitter feel
ing in any community.
Nearly every community needs a
Khan to teach and exemplify the spir-
il of federation and to overcome the
prejudice and unfairness of certain
men.
''The Khan is loyal friend, fearless
defender and staunch supporter of
the American free public school. We
seek to defend it against the insidi-
Gus attack of it's enemies and to
make every possible Improvement in
the system that can be devised to
make it more efficient. To this end
we advocate:
"U A national department of ed
ucation, with secretary in the cab
met.
"(2) A national public school at
tendance law for all children, ire
spetive of race, color or creed, until
they have completed the eighth grade,
including the study Of the English
language.
"(3) A liberal federal aid for pub
lie schools, based on the scholastic
population of each state or the eff
cheney of the schools.
"(4) More efficient and better paid
teachers in our public schools.
"(5) A special course in all schools
stitution of the United States, and of
Gated, to include the duties of Amer
lean citizenship.
"For these reasons every commun-
ity ought to be vitality interested in
having a Khan that these educational
ideals may be realized.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: In every
community there is a pressing need
for better law enforcement. The of
ficers cannot succeed unless they have
the backing of the citizens. The Khan
creates a sentiment in favor of law
enforcement and this gives the Off
GERS the very backing they need. The
lawless element gets mighty restless,
uneasy and shy, when they learn
there is Khan in the community.
They know that the Khan stands
for law enforcement, and that Klans-
men are looking and listening. They
Immediately begin the cry Take off
the mask" 1t is not the mask they
fear; it is the secret membership.
They want to know who to watch,
and who is watching them No good
man is afraid Of the mask.
The presence of the Khan in any
community has at least four good eff
fects in this line: First, it causes
the officers to be more active and
alert because they know that If they
fail to do their duty, the Khan will
seek to replace them with men who