Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1949-08-26

conducted the midnight party
Fire has always presented problem when attempts are
made to restrain its latitude This equally true ii relates
to social fires AS long the redhot aggots burn only black
SKINS no word for few frightened protests from few
frightened Negroes of the chvaous Southland and
even though the failing bull whips still tear open black backs
and the ropes still break black necks there is still word
The white christian churches for decades silent The
southern press admitted the existence of noble order of robes
and hoods only when it appeared public parade dressed in
full regaa sheets and all All words of praise and ad
miraon.
But suddenly the wind changed and
direction Without warning backs that were not black began
feel the cutting stngs of the bull whip homes that not
inhabited by citizens that black invaded and despo
ed AT the Ku Klux Klan became something be depre
Gated something un-American something that menaced de-
mocracy the anathema of every eedomoving American cit
en Hear John Temple Graves, sage Birmingham Alabama.
1T must be obvious to all decent citizens whether they be-
onged TO the kan not that the organization CO. The
condition created by it in its example in
oleraole TO civilized sefgoverning people There many
of seeking for dissolution many needed There are
legal ways. They should all be employed"
All decent citizens for eight decades before 1919 have
that the kan was blot civilization seemingly has Just
dawned upon Mr. Graves and the state legislators Georgia
Texas Alabama and Florida can't these individuals
nave Just become part OF mat segment of the American pop-
lation that decent Mr. Graves says that there are
ways Oh seeking dissolution of the order of sheets hoods
one wonders that after every stated that the Khan was
Out Oh JURISDICTION that there were legal of hapdng
" suddenly the Leading spokesman of the the or
gaizaton Is employing its ultra legal privilege find that legal
means of dissolution found readily al hand
one asks where these easily accessible means have been
all these years
This is of is rhetorical question to which every
one KNOWS the answer John Temple But what
really must be definitely determined all men is the question
OF right and wrong Is murder all right when the victim your
enemy your competitor you Just don't like on gen
eal principles? Is murder terrible both moral and social
II the victim is your relative your friend someone whose
race religion and social standing the same as yours9 In
oer words are we going to condone the killing of ones
mother-nlaw because she nuisance send the same
murderer to the electric chair he spose his mother or
sister who were always kind to him?
The ku klux kan is using the tactics today that Il
has always employed Murder page arson intimidation these
have always been the stock in trade Of the Why have the
been approved since the days of Reconstruction and now be
come the object of horror and CONSERVATION? Negroes become
too happy the turn of legislature after an
other outlaws the klan they should learn whether or not such
action is done for their protection the protection of those
VINO are not Negroes upon whom the organization work.
ing Let us remain viglant and refrain from premature
eytlaon.