THE TRANSFORMATION.
Until the beginning of the year 1867, the movements of the Klan had,
in the main, been characterized by prudence and discretion; but there
were some exceptions. In some cases there had been a liberal
construction of orders and of what was by common consent the law of
the Klan. In some, the limits, which tacitly it had been agreed upon
not to pass, had been overstepped.
Attempts had been made to correct by positive means evils which
menaces had not been sufficient to remove. Rash, imprudent and bad men
had gotten into the order. The danger which the more prudent and
thoughtful had apprehended as possible was now a reality. Had it been
possible to do so, some of the leaders would have been in favor of
disbanding. That could not well be done, because at that time the
organization was so loose and imperfect. So to speak, the tie that
bound them together was too shadowy to be cut or untied. They had
evoked a spirit from "the vasty deep." It would not down at their
bidding.
And, besides, the Klan was needed. The only course which seemed to
promise any satisfactory solution of the difficulty was this: To
reorganize the Klan on a plan corresponding to its size and present
purposes; to bind the isolated dens together; to secure unity of
purpose and concert of action; to hedge the members up by such
limitations and regulations as were best adapted to restrain them
within proper limits; to distribute the authority among prudent men at
local centres, and exact from them a close supervision of those under
their charge.
In this way it was hoped the impending dangers would be effectually
guarded against. With these objects in view the Grand Cyclops of the
Pulaski Den sent out a request to all the dens of which he had
knowledge, to appoint delegates to meet in convention at Nashville,
Tenn., in the early summer of 1867.[37] At the time appointed this
convention was held. Delegates were present from Tennessee, Alabama,
and a number of other States. A plan of reorganization, previously
prepared, was submitted to this convention and adopted. After the
transaction of some further business, the convention adjourned, and
the delegates returned home without having attracted any attention.
At this convention the territory covered by the Klan was designated as
the "Invisible Empire." This was subdivided into "realms" coterminous
with the boundaries of States. The "realms" were divided into
"dominions," corresponding to Congressional districts; the "dominions"
into "provinces" coterminous with counties; and the "provinces" into
"dens."
To each of these departments officers were assigned.
Except in the case of the supreme officer, the duties of each were
minutely specified.
These officers were:
The Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire and his ten Genii. The powers
of this officer were almost autocratic.
The Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hydras.
The Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six Furies.
The Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two Night Hawks.
A Grand Monk.
A Grand Scribe.
A Grand Exchequer.
A Grand Turk.
A Grand Sentinel.
The Genii, Hydras, Furies, Goblins and Night Hawks were staff
officers. The gradation and distribution of authority was perfect. But
for one source of weakness, the Klan, under this new organization, was
one of the most perfectly organized orders that ever existed in the
world.
As we shall see presently, it was vulnerable and failed because of the
character of its methods. Secrecy was at first its strength. It
afterwards became its greatest weakness. As long as mystery was
conjoined with it, it was strength. When masks and disguises ceased to
be mysterious, secrecy was weakness.
One of the most important things done by this Nashville convention was
to make a positive and emphatic declaration of the principles of the
order. It was in the following terms:
"We recognize our relations to the United States Government; the
supremacy of the Constitution; the constitutional laws thereof; and
the union of States thereunder."
If these men were plotting treason, it puzzles us to know why they
should make such a statement as that in setting forth the principles
of the order. The statement above quoted was not intended for general
circulation and popular effect. So far as is known, it is now given to
the public for the first time. We must regard it, therefore, as
accurately describing the political attitude which the Ku Klux
proposed and desired to maintain. Every man who became a member of the
Klan really took an oath to support the Constitution of the United
States.
This Nashville convention also defined and set forth the peculiar
objects of the order, as follows:[38]
(1.) "To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenceless, from the
indignities, wrongs and outrages of the lawless, the violent and the
brutal; to relieve the injured and the oppressed; to succor the
suffering, and especially the widows and orphans of Confederate
soldiers.
(2.) "To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and
all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the States and
people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever.
(3.) "To aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws,
and to protect the people from unlawful seizure, and from trial except
by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land."
This last clause was the result of the infamous and barbarous
legislation of that day. On the 3rd of June, 1865, the Thirty-fourth
General Assembly of Tennessee revived the sedition law and restricted
the right of suffrage.[39] A negro militia, ignorant and brutal, were
afterwards put over the State, and spread terror throughout its
borders. Men felt that they had no security for life, liberty, or
property. They were persecuted if they dared to complain. It was no
strange thing if they resorted to desperate measures for protection.
The emergency was desperate. Taking all the circumstances and
aggravations into consideration one cannot but be surprised that men
so persecuted and oppressed remained so moderate and forbearing.
The legislation of the Nashville Convention of Ku Klux bears internal
evidence of what we know from other sources to be true. Whilst
devising measures for protection to life and property, and for the
resistance of lawlessness and oppression, whether from irresponsible
parties or from those who professed to be acting legally and under
cover of authority, they were anxious also to control the Klan itself
and to keep it within what they conceived to be safe limits.
Up to this time the majority had shown a fair appreciation of the
responsibilities of their self-imposed task of preserving social
order. But under any circumstances the natural tendency of an
organization such as this is to violence and crime--much more under
such circumstances as those then prevailing.
Excesses had been committed. Whether justly so or not, they were
credited to the Klan. And it was foreseen and feared that if such
things continued or increased the hostility of State and Federal
Governments would be kindled against the Klan and active measures
taken to suppress it. The hope was entertained that the legislations
taken by the convention and the reorganization would not only enable
the Klan to enact its _role_ as Regulators with greater success, but
would keep its members within the prescribed limits, and so guard
against the contingencies referred to. They desired on the one hand,
to restrain and control their own members; on the other to correct
evils and promote order in society; and to do the latter _solely_ by
utilizing for this purpose the means and methods originally employed
for amusement. In each direction the success was but partial, as will
be told presently.
By the reorganization no material change was made in the methods of
the Klan's operations. Some of the old methods were slightly modified;
a few new features were added. The essential features of mystery,
secrecy and grotesqueness were retained, and steps were taken with a
view to deepening and intensifying the impressions already made upon
the public mind. They attempted to push to the extreme limits of
illustration the power of the mysterious over the minds of men.
Henceforth they courted publicity as assiduously as they had formerly
seemed to shun it. They appeared at different points at the same time,
and always when and where they were the least expected. Devices were
multiplied to deceive people in regard to their numbers and everything
else, and to play upon the fears of the superstitious.
As it was now the policy of the Klan to appear in public, an order was
issued by the Grand Dragon of the Realm of Tennessee to the Grand
Giants of the Provinces for a general parade in the capital town of
each Province on the night of the 4th of July, 1867. It will be
sufficient for this narrative to describe that parade as witnessed by
the citizens of Pulaski. Similar scenes were enacted at many other
places.
On the morning of the 4th of July, 1867, the citizens of Pulaski found
the sidewalks thickly strewn with slips of paper bearing the printed
words:[40] "The Ku Klux will parade the streets to-night." This
announcement created great excitement. The people supposed that their
curiosity, so long baffled, would now be gratified. They were
confident that this parade would at least afford them the opportunity
to find out who were the Ku Klux.
Soon after nightfall the streets were lined with an expectant and
excited throng of people. Many came from the surrounding country. The
members of the Klan in the county left their homes in the afternoon
and traveled alone or in squads of two or three, with their
paraphernalia carefully concealed. If questioned, they answered that
they were going to Pulaski to see the Ku Klux parade. After nightfall
they assembled at designated points near the four main roads leading
into town. Here they donned their robes and disguises and put covers
of gaudy materials on their horses. A skyrocket sent up from some
point in the town was the signal to mount and move. The different
companies met and passed each other on the public square in perfect
silence; the discipline appeared to be admirable.[41] Not a word was
spoken. Necessary orders were given by means of the whistles. In
single file, in death-like stillness, with funeral slowness, they
marched and counter-marched throughout the town. While the column was
headed North on one street it was going South on another. By crossing
over in opposite directions the lines were kept up in almost unbroken
continuity. The effect was to create the impression of vast numbers.
This marching and counter-marching was kept up for about two hours,
and the Klan departed as noiselessly as they came. The public were
more than ever mystified. Curiosity had not been satisfied, as it was
expected it would be. The efforts of the most curious and cunning to
find out who were Ku Klux failed. One gentleman from the country, a
great lover of horses, who claimed to know every horse in the county,
was confident that he would be able to identify the riders by the
horses. With this purpose in view, he remained in town to witness the
parade. But, as we have said, the horses were disguised as well as the
riders. Determined not to be baffled, during a halt of the column he
lifted the cover of a horse that was near him--the rider offering no
objection--and recognized his own steed and saddle upon which he had
ridden into town. The town people were on the alert also to see who of
the young men of the town would be with the Ku Klux. All of them,
almost without exception, were marked, mingling freely and
conspicuously with the spectators. Those of them who were members of
the Klan did not go into the parade.
This demonstration had the effect for which it was designed. Perhaps
the greatest illusion produced by it was in regard to the numbers
participating in it. Reputable citizens--men of cool and accurate
judgment--were confident that the number was not less than three
thousand. Others, whose imaginations were more easily wrought upon,
were quite certain there were ten thousand. The truth is, that the
number of Ku Klux in the parade did not exceed four hundred. This
delusion in regard to numbers prevailed wherever the Ku Klux appeared.
It illustrates how little the testimony of even an eye-witness is
worth in regard to anything which makes a deep impression on him by
reason of its mysteriousness.
The Klan had a large membership; it exerted a vast, terrifying and
wholesome power; but its influence was never at any time dependent on,
or proportioned to, its membership. It was in the mystery in which the
comparatively few enshrouded themselves. Gen. Forrest, before the
Investigating Committee, placed the number of Ku Klux in Tennessee at
40,000,[42] and in the entire South at 550,000. This was with him only
a guessing estimate.[43] Careful investigation leads to the
conclusion that he overshoots the mark in both cases. It is an error
to suppose that the entire male population of the South were Ku Klux,
or that even a majority of them were privy to its secrets and in
sympathy with its extremest measures. To many of them, perhaps to a
majority, the Ku Klux Klan was as vague, impersonal and mysterious as
to the people of the North, or of England. They did attribute to it
great good and to this day remember with gratitude the protection it
afforded them in the most trying and perilous period of their history,
when there was no other earthly source to which to appeal.[44]
[Illustration: COSTUMES WORN IN TENNESSEE AND NORTH ALABAMA
FACING PAGE 97]
One or two illustrations may here be given of the methods resorted to
to play upon the superstitious fears of the negroes and others.[45] At
the parade in Pulaski, while the procession was passing a corner on
which a negro man was standing, a tall horseman in hideous garb turned
aside from the line, dismounted, and stretched out his bridle rein
toward the negro, as if he desired him to hold his horse. Not daring
to refuse, the frightened African extended his hand to grasp the rein.
As he did so, the Ku Klux took his own head from his shoulders and
offered to place that also in the outstretched hand. The negro stood
not upon the order of his going, but departed with a yell of terror.
To this day he will tell you: "He done it, suah, boss. I seed him do
it." The gown was fastened by a draw-string over the top of the
wearer's head. Over this was worn an artificial skull made of a large
gourd or of pasteboard. This with the hat could be readily removed,
and the man would then appear to be headless. Such tricks gave rise
to the belief--still prevalent among the negroes--that the Ku Klux
could take themselves all to pieces whenever they wanted to.
Some of the Ku Klux carried skeleton hands. These were made of bone or
wood with a handle long enough to be held in the hand, which was
concealed by the gown sleeve. The possessor of one of these was
invariably of a friendly turn and offered to shake hands with all he
met, with what effect may be readily imagined.
A trick of frequent perpetration in the country was for a horseman,
spectral and ghostly looking, to stop before the cabin of some negro
needing a wholesome impression and call for a bucket of water. If a
dipper or gourd was brought it was declined, and the bucket full of
water demanded. As if consumed by raging thirst the horseman grasped
it and pressed it to his lips. He held it there till every drop of the
water was poured into a gum or oiled sack concealed beneath the Ku
Klux robe. Then the empty bucket was returned to the amazed negro with
the remark: "That's good. It is the first drink of water I have had
since I was killed at Shiloh." Then a few words of counsel as to
future behavior made an impression not easily forgotten or likely to
be disregarded.
Under ordinary circumstances such devices are unjustifiable. But in
the peculiar state of things then existing they served a good purpose.
It was not only better to deter the negroes from theft and other
lawlessness in this way than to put them in the penitentiary; but it
was the only way, at this time, by which they could be controlled. The
jails would not contain them. The courts could not or would not try
them. The policy of the Klan all the while was to deter men from
wrongdoing. It was only in rare, exceptional cases, and these the most
aggravated, that it undertook to punish.[46]
FOOTNOTES:
[37] "In the spring of 1867," says Wilson in the _Century Magazine_,
July, 1884. May was the month of meeting. This was just after the
Reconstruction Acts had been passed.--_Editor._
[38] I am convinced that the authors are mistaken in saying that the
first convention adopted the Prescript containing these declarations.
The Prescript adopted was the one reproduced in Appendix I. The other
one, reproduced in Appendix II, was adopted, it is believed, in
1868.--_Editor._
[39] Ex-Confederates were practically all excluded from the
suffrage.--_Editor._
[40] Notices were posted in every public place, and even pasted on the
backs of hogs and cows running loose in the streets.--_Miss Cora R.
Jones._
[41] Most members of the Klan had been Confederate soldiers and were
familiar with military drill and discipline.--_Editor._
[42] A later estimate places the membership of Ku Klux Klan at 72,000
in Tennessee alone.--_Washington Post, August 13, 1905._
[43] Forrest denied that he had made such an estimate. There were many
other orders similar to Ku Klux Klan and the total membership was
probably about half a million.--_Editor._
[44] It made the women feel safer. "And then came the reign of martial
law, and the Freedmen's Bureau. Those dark days of the Reconstruction
period rapidly followed the horrors of civil war, and the reign of the
carpetbagger began, goading the people to desperation. For their
protection the younger and more reckless men of the community now
formed a secret society, which masqueraded at night in grotesque and
grewsome character called the Ku Klux Klan. Always silent and
mysterious, mounted on horses, they swept noiselessly by in the
darkness with gleaming death's heads, skeletons and chains. It struck
terror into the heart of the evil-doer, while the peaceful citizen
knew a faithful patrol had guarded his premises while he
slept."--_Mrs. Stubbs, in "Saunders' Early Settlers of Alabama_," p.
31.
[45] A practice not mentioned here was that of sending out the
peculiar warnings and orders, specimens of which are printed in
Appendix IV.--_Editor._
[46] "We had regular meetings about once a week, at which the conduct
of certain offensive characters would be discussed, and if the
majority voted to punish such it would be accordingly done on certain
prescribed nights. Sometimes it was deemed necessary only to post
notices of warning, which, in some cases, were sufficient to alarm the
victims sufficiently to induce them to reform in their
behavior."--_Ryland Randolph._