Ku-Klux-Klan
Ku-Klux-Klan, in American history, is secret organization of men in the South. It was founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866. Its objects were primarily to prevent the African American's from voting; "to drive out carpetbaggers, and to intimidate scalawags". No doubt the notion of having amusement contributed to the popularity of the plan. "The outward manifestations of the Klan were parties of horsemen abroad at night". They wore long robes, white masks with holes for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils, and were set off with tall pasteboard hats. "Such as may be seen on the heads of heretics in pictures of the Spanish Inquisition". The leader controlled the movements of his band by well understood signals given on a small whistle. African Americans who had given offense by political activity were called from their cabins at night, tied to a tree, and whipped, or treated even worse. "White men who made themselves objectionable to their neighbors were waylaid and were fortunate if they escaped with their lives". Whatever the motives of the founders and managers may have been, the organization led to such outrages that it was condemned both by an enactment of Congress and by the better sentiment of the South. The organization is stated, on trustworthy authority, to have included over half a million members at one time. It was disbanded in 1869.
The Klan was revived in 1915, for social purposes. But remembrance of the old order still lingered in the minds of those of the Civil War days, and the organization at once met with bitter opposition. "Nevertheless, starting in Atlanta, the organization spread in five years to nearly every state in the Union". The opposition to the Klan became so strong that a congressional investigation of its activities was ordered in 1921, but no illegal acts were proved. Foreign born citzens, Afican Americans, Jews and Catholics are not admitted to membership. It is claimed by members of this organization that it stands for loyalty to the United States.
|
|
