The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1924-01-09

Washington, D. C.-Why the de-
partment of publication and educa-
ton? e..
The other day a politician, well
known in Indiana and even in the ma
tion for his political sagacity, STRAIT
egy, and at the same time subserv-
fence to party politics, asked me the
question, in a Washington hotel:
"What the thunder and damnation is
the necessity for a bureau of pub
lication of the Knights of the Ku
Klux Klan?"
It was obvious from his language
and his attitude that he was consid-
erably "peeved," and, answering him
in terms of votes-the only language
he could understand-T replied, in
substance, that in the past the folks
back home have only learned and
been able to know what you have told
them and you have told them what
was best for your interests and the
interests of those for whom you were
speaking" The Knights of the .Ku
Klux Klan have decided that the folks
back home are going to know the
truth about their government and
about those who conduct the business
of American government.
Klansmen, unlike the Baltimore
oriole which inherits it's idea of build
ing a particular type of nest, and, un-
like some other American people,
really have very definite mental
ability, are able to and intend to
figure things out for themselves from
now on. The infant child sucks by
instinct, and some folks eat peas with
a knife. Klansmen, as American vot-
ers, are no longer going to vote blind
ly or by any sort Of instinct"
To Gain Better Understandings
The department of publication and
education of the Klan, of course, does
not expect to confne itself to the
ideas propounded above and given to
the gentleman from Indiana, but this
was the language he undoubtedly
could understand. Seriously, and fun
damentlly, the department believes
the Klansmen do not aspire to mod
ern Utopia but do desire to preserve
the existing level of patriotism and
public duty as they generally under
stand it and at the same time fur
nish to the American electorate edu-
cation in the form of information per-
tanning to their government in order
that they may better understand the
Kiln, and at the same time inculcate
true ideals of operative patriotism
and citizenship in the minds of all
American people as they, the Klans-
men, understand it.
Custom, traditions, institutions, po-
litical precedents, history, education,
all clamor for definite and intelli-
gent line of Americanism which they
may follow, and it is this resource
fulness and indomitable spirit, the
challenging and even pugnacious at
titude Of the Klansmen of America
that is going to be the basis for
searching out the unseen forces that
govern America; and facts pertaining
to government and finances and tax
alton; searching out and equalizing
the control of our economic situation,
particularly as it affects farm prod
ucts and food products; what partic-
ular agencies control our civic conf
munities, and what particular system
it is that is throttling the upbuilding
Of our common school sysem; what
can be done toward the Americaniza-
tion Of foreigners and aliens now
here, and compel stoppage of new
comers until this problem has been
solved, are Klansmen viewpoints,
that, if worth anything, will stand the
test of American public opinion.
An environment and machinery for
the distribution of these facts has
been established, and the American
public by their response to the Klan
doctrine, millions in number during
1923, are now strong for the supreme
act, the building Of an organization
different from that ever known be-
tore-and better, the rendering of
the greatest possible service to all
mankind.
Really Distinctive Points
These are, in fact, the really dis
tinctive points about the Klan and
the bureau. They will work for law
enforcement, better education, bet
ter government, or any of the other
fundamental ideals for which the
Klan aims, but the initiation of their
principles and the preaching of their
doctrine is the essential thing.