DISBANDMENT.
On the 20th day of February, 1869, Governor Brownlow resigned his
position as Governor to take the seat in the United States Senate, to
which he had been elected. The last paper to which he affixed his
signature as Governor of Tennessee, proclaimed martial law in certain
counties, and ordered troops to be sent thither. This proclamation was
dated February 20, 1869. In a short while it was followed by a
proclamation from the "Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire" to his
subjects.
This proclamation recited the legislation directed against the Klan,
and stated that the order had now, in large measure, accomplished the
objects of its existence. At a time when the civil law afforded
inadequate protection to life and property, when robbery and
lawlessness of every description were unrebuked, when all the better
elements of society were in constant dread for the safety of their
property, persons and families, the Klan had afforded protection and
security to many firesides, and, in many ways contributed to the
public welfare. But greatly to the regret of all good citizens, some
members of the Klan had violated positive orders; others, under the
name and disguises of the organization, had assumed to do acts of
violence, for which the Klan was held responsible. The Grand Wizard
had been invested with the power to determine questions of paramount
importance to the interests of the order. Therefore, in the exercise
of that power, the Grand Wizard declared that the organization
heretofore known as the Ku Klux Klan was dissolved and disbanded.
Members were directed to burn all regalia and paraphernalia of every
description, and to desist from any further assemblies or acts as Ku
Klux.[53] The members of the Klan were counseled in the future as
heretofore, to assist all good people of the land in maintaining and
upholding the civil laws, and in putting down lawlessness. This
proclamation was directed to all Realms, Dominions, Provinces and
"Dens" in "the Empire." It is reasonably certain that there were
portions of the Empire never reached by it. The Klan was widely
scattered and the facilities for communication exceedingly poor. The
Grand Wizard was a citizen of Tennessee. Under the statute just now
quoted newspapers were forbidden to publish anything emanating from
the Klan. So that there was no way in which this proclamation could be
generally disseminated.
Where it was promulgated, obedience to it was prompt and implicit.
Whether obeyed or not, this proclamation terminated the Klan's
organized existence as decisively and completely as General Lee's last
general order, on the morning of the 10th of April, 1865, disbanded
the army of Northern Virginia.
When the office of Grand Wizard was created and its duties defined, it
was explicitly provided that he should have "the power to determine
questions of paramount importance, and his decision shall be final."
To continue the organization or to disband it was such a question. He
decided in favor of disbanding, and so ordered. Therefore the Ku Klux
Klan had no organized existence after March, 1869.[54]
The report of the Congressional Investigating Committee contains some
disreputable history, which belongs to a later date, and is attributed
to the Klan, but not justly so. For several years, after March, 1869,
the papers reported and commented on "Ku Klux outrages" committed at
various points. The authors of these outrages may have acted in the
name of the Klan, and under its disguises; it may be that in some
cases they were men who had been Ku Klux. But it cannot be charged
that they were acting by the authority of an order which had formally
disbanded. They were acting on their own responsibility.
Thus lived, so died, this strange order. Its birth was an accident;
its growth was a comedy; its death a tragedy. It owed its existence
wholly to the anomalous condition of social and civil affairs in the
South during the years immediately succeeding the unfortunate contest
in which so many brave men in blue and gray fell, martyrs to their
convictions.
There never was, before or since, a period of our history when such an
order could have lived. May there never be again!
FOOTNOTES:
[53] In the copy of the Revised and Amended Prescript owned by
Columbia University Library is bound a letter in which is mentioned
this order of destruction.--_Editor._
[54] The local "Dens" were not affected by this order. Many had
already disbanded; many more remained active as long as the
Reconstruction regime lasted.--_Editor._
APPENDIX I.
PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN
ADOPTED AT A CONVENTION OF THE ORDER
HELD IN NASHVILLE, APRIL, 1867
Copied from the Original Prescript, line for line and page
for page. The type used here is slightly larger than
in the original document.
[Page header: Damnant quod non intelligunt. 1]
PRESCRIPT
OF THE
* *
What may this mean,
That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,
Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,
Making night hideous; and we fools of nature,
So horridly to shake our disposition,
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?
An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin',
A certain _Ghoul_ is rantin', drinkin',
Some luckless night will send him linkin',
To your black pit;
But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin',
And cheat you yet.
[Header: Amici humani generis. 2]
CREED.
We the * * reverently acknowledge
the Majesty and Supremacy of the Divine being,
and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the
Same.
PREAMBLE.
We recognize our relations to the United States
Government and acknowledge the supremacy of
its laws.
APPELLATION.
ARTICLE I. This organization shall be styled and
denominated the * *
TITLES.
ART. II. The officers of this * shall consist of
a Grand Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii;
a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hy-
dras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six
Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province and his four
Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two
Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a
Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe,
a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand Ensign.
SEC. 2. The body politic of this * shall be des-
ignated and known as "Ghouls."
DIVISIONS.
ART. III. This * shall be divided into five de-
partments, all combined, constituting the Grand
* of the Empire. The second department to be
called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the
Grand * of the Dominion. The fourth, the Grand
* of the Province. The fifth, the * of the Den.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
GRAND WIZARD.
ART. IV. SEC. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Wizard, who is the Supreme Officer of the Empire
to communicate with and receive reports from the
[Footer: Magna est veritas, et prevalebit.]
[Header: Nec scire fas est omnia. 3]
Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition,
strength, efficiency and progress of the *s
within their respective Realms. And he shall com-
municate from time to time, to all subordinates *s,
through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength,
efficiency, and progress of the *s throughout his vast
Empire; and such other information as he may deem
expedient to impart. And it shall further be his du-
ty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without
any caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand
Dragons of the different Realms of his Empire, and
shall number such Realms with the Arabic nume-
rals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he shall instruct
his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and
disbursement which he shall make of the revenue
of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have
the sole power to issue copies of this Prescript,
through his Subalterns and Deputies, for the organ-
ization and establishment of subordinate *s. And
he shall have the further power to appoint his Ge-
nii; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer
for his Department, and to appoint and ordain
Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the
more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-
lishment of the * throughout his Empire. He is
further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-
ties, to organize and control Realms, Dominions,
Provinces, and Dens, until the same shall elect a
Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and
a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provid-
ded. And when a question of paramount impor-
tance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises,
not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have
power to determine such question, and his decision
shall be final, until the same shall be provided for
by amendment as hereinafter provided.
[Footer: Ne vile fano.]
[Header: Ars est celare artem. 4]
GRAND DRAGON.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon
who is the Chief Officer of the Realm, to report to
the Grand Wizard when required by that officer,
the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of
the * within his Realm, and to transmit through
the Grand Titan to the subordinate *s of his Realm,
all information or intelligence conveyed to him by
the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such oth-
er information or instruction as he may think will
promote the interests of the *. He shall keep by his
G. Scribe a list of the names (without any caption)
of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of
his Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand
Wizard when required; and shall number the Do-
minions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1,
2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand
Exchequer as to the appropriation and disburse-
ment of the revenue of the * that comes to his
hands. He shall have the power to appoint his
Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exche-
quer for his Department, and to appoint and ordain
Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the
more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-
lishment of the * throughout his Realm. He is
further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-
ties to organize and control Dominions, Provinces
and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Titan,
a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the manner
hereinafter provided.
GRAND TITAN.
Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan
who is the Chief Officer of the Dominion, to report
to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer,
the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress
of the * within his Dominion, and to transmit
through the Grand Giants to the subordinate *s
[Footer: Nusquam tuta fides.]
[Header: Quid faciendum? 5]
of his Dominion, all information or intelligence con-
veyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that pur
pose, and all such other information or instruction
as he may think will enhance the interests of the *.
He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the names
(without caption) of the Grand Giants of the differ-
ent Provinces of his Dominion, and shall report the
same to the Grand Dragon when required; and he
shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with
the Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad finem_. And he
shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to
the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue
of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have
power to appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand
Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his department,
and appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Ti-
tans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual
dissemination and establishment of the * throughout
his Dominion. He shall have further power to
appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and con-
trol Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect
a Grand Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the man-
ner hereinafter provided.
GRAND GIANT.
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant,
who is the Chief Officer of the Province, to super-
vise and administer general and special in-
struction in the formation and establishment of
*s within his Province, and to report to the Grand
Titan, when required by that officer, the condition,
strength, progress and efficiency of the * through-
out his Province, and to transmit, through the
Grand Cyclops, to the subordinate *s of his Pro-
vince, all information or intelligence conveyed to
him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such
other information and instruction as he may think
[Footer: Fide non armis.]
[Header: Fiat justia. 6]
will advance the interests of the *. He shall keep by
his G. Scribe a list of the names (without caption) of
the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Prov-
ince, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan
when required; and shall number the Dens of his
Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., _ad
finem._ And shall determine and limit the number
of Dens to be organized in his Province. And he
shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to
what appropriation and disbursement he shall make
of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.
He shall have power to appoint his Goblins; also,
a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his de-
partment, and to appoint and ordain Special Depu-
ty Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid
and effectual dissemination and establishment of
the * throughout his Province. He shall have
the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies
to organize and control Dens, until the same shall
elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner hereinafter
provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and
conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos.
GRAND CYCLOPS.
Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops
to take charge of the * of his Den after his election,
under the direction and with the assistance (when
practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance
with, and in conformity to the provisions of this
Prescript, a copy of which shall in all cases be obtain-
ed before the formation of a * begins. It shall fur-
ther be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of
his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregu-
lar meetings when he deems it expedient, to preserve
order in his Den, and to impose fines for irregularities
or disobedience of orders, and to receive and initiate
candidates for admission into the * after the
same shall have been pronounced competent and wor-
[Footer: Hic manent vestigia morientis libertatis.]
[Header: Curae leves loquntur, ingentes stupent. 7]
thy become members by the Investigating Com-
mittee. He shall make a quarterly report to the
Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and ef-
ficiency of the * of his Den, and shall convey to
the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelli-
gence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that
purpose, and all other such information or instruc-
tion as he may think will conduce to the interests
and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and con-
duct the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have
power to appoint his Night Hawks, his Grand
Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and
his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and di-
rect the Grand Exchequer of his Den, as to what
appropriation and disbursement he shall make of
the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.
And for any small offense he may punish any mem-
ber by fine, and may reprimand him for the same:
And he may admonish and reprimand the * of
his Den for any imprudence, irregularity or trans-
gression, when he is convinced or advised that the
interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it.
GRAND MAGI.
Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi,
who is the Second Officer, in Authority, of the Den,
to assist the Grand Cyclops and to obey all the
proper orders of that officer. To preside at all
meetings in the Den in the absence of the Grand
Cyclops; and to exercise during his absence all the
powers and authority conferred upon that officer.
GRAND MONK.
Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk,
who is the third officer, in authority, of the Den, to
assist and obey all the proper orders of the Grand
Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence
of both of these officers, he shall preside at and con-
duct the meetings in the Den, and shall exercise all
[Footer: Dat Deus his quoque finem.]
[Header: Cessante causa, cessat effectus. 8]
the powers and authority conferred upon the Grand
Cyclops.
GRAND EXCHEQUER.
Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exche-
quers of the different Departments of the * to keep
a correct account of all the revenue of the * that
shall come to their hands, and shall make no appro-
priation or disbursement of the same except under
the orders and direction of the chief officer of their
respective departments. And it shall further be
the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect
the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the
Grand Cyclops.
GRAND TURK.
Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk,
who is the Executive Officer of the Grand Cyclops,
to notify the ghouls of the Den of all informal or
irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops
and to obey and execute all the lawful orders of that
officer in the control and government of his Den.
It shall further be his duty to receive and question
at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into
the *, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary
obligation required, and then to conduct such can-
didate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his
Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same.
And it shall further be his duty to act as the ex-
ecutive officer of the Grand Council of Centaurs.
GRAND SCRIBE.
Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes
of the different departments to conduct the corres-
pondence and write the orders of the chiefs of their
departments, when required. And it shall further
be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep
a list of the names (without caption) of the ghouls
of the Den--to call the Roll at all regular meetings
and to make the quarterly report under the direc-
tion of the Grand Cyclops.
[Footer: Droit et avant.]
[Header: Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. 9]
GRAND SENTINEL.
Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Senti-
nel to detail, take charge of, post and instruct the
Grand Guard under the direction and orders of the
Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same
when directed by that officer.
GRAND ENSIGN.
Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign
to take charge of the Grand Banner of the *, to
preserve it sacredly, and protect it carefully, and to
bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and
on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may
direct it to be flung to the night breeze.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
ART. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand
Magi, the Grand Monk, and the Grand Exchequer
of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the
ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these
officers may take place as soon as seven ghouls have
been initiated for that purpose.
Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the
Grand Dragons of Realms, the Grand Titans of Do-
minions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall
be elected biennially, and in the following man-
ner, to wit: The Grand Wizard by a majority vote
of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand
Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his
Realm; the Grand Titans by a like vote of the
Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the Grand Gi-
ant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Pro-
vince.
The first election for Grand Dragon may take
place as soon as three Dominions have been organ-
ized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections shall
be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, through-
out the Realm, and biennially as aforesaid.
The first election for Grand Titan may take place
[Footer: Dormitur aliquando jus, moritur nunquam.]
[Header: Deo adjuvante, non timendum. 10]
as soon as three Provinces have been organized in a
Dominion, but all subsequent elections shall be by a
majority vote of all the Grand Giants throughout
the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid.
The first election for Grand Giant may take place
as soon as three Dens have been organized in a
Province, but all subsequent elections shall be by a
majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout
the Province, and biennially as aforesaid.
The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby cre-
ated, to serve three years from the First Monday
in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time,
biennial elections shall be held for that office as
aforesaid. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall
notify the Grand Dragons, at least six months be-
fore said election, at what time and place the same
will be held.
JUDICIARY.
ART. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this
* shall consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and
a Grand Council of Centaurs.
Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be
the Tribunal for the trial of all elected officers, and
shall be composed of officers of equal rank with the
accused, and shall be appointed and presided over
by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by
him to administer even handed justice. The Tribu-
nal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, shall be com-
posed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and
shall be presided over and sworn by the senior
Grand Dragon. They shall have power to summon
the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and
if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and
execute the same. And they shall have power to
appoint an executive officer to attend said Council
while in session.
[Footer: Spectemur agendo.]
[Header: Nemo nos impune lacessit. 11]
Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be
the Tribunal for the trial of Ghouls and non-elective
officers, and shall be composed of six judges appoint-
ed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den,
presided over and sworn by him to give the ac-
cused a fair and impartial trial. They shall
have power to summon the accused, and
witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty
they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the
same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand
Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integri-
ty and fair-mindedness, and shall render their ver-
dict without prejudice or partiality.
REVENUE.
ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall
be derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre-
script issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars will
be required. Two dollars of which shall go into
the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Gi-
ant; two into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of
the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand
Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining
four into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the
Grand Wizard.
Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire
shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of the
Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the Grand
Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable
to levy the same.
Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms
shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Domin-
ions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand
Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-
sable.
Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin-
ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Pro-
[Footer: Patria cara, carior libertas.]
[Header: Ad unum omnes. 12]
vinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the Grand
Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-
sable.
Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces
shall be ten per cent. on all the revenue of Dens,
and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand Giant
shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.
Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be
the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax, when-
ever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such tax indis-
pensable to the interests and purposes of the *.
Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the man-
ner herein aforesaid, shall be for the exclusive ben-
efit of the *. And shall be appropriated to the
dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a
fund to meet any disbursement that it may become
necessary to make to accomplish the objects of the
*, and to secure the protection of the same.
OBLIGATION.
ART. VIII. No one shall become a member of
this *, unless he shall take the following oath or
obligation:
"I, ---- of my own free will and accord, and in
the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear
or affirm that I will never reveal to any one, not a
member of the * * by any intimation, sign,
symbol, word or act, or in any other manner what-
ever, any of the secrets, signs, grips, pass words,
mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am
a member of the same or that I know any one who
_is_ a member, and that I will abide by the Prescript
and Edicts of the * *. So help me God."
Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be adminis-
tered before the candidate for admission is taken
to the Grand Cyclops for examination, shall be as
follows:
"I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never
[Footer: Deo duce, ferro comitante.]
[Header: Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. 13]
reveal any thing that I may this day (or night)
learn concerning the * *. So help me God."
ADMISSION.
ART. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for
admission into this *, until he shall have been
recommended by some friend or intimate, who _is_ a
member, to the Investigating Committee, which
shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand
Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall investi-
gate his antecedents and his past and present stand-
ing and connections, and if after such investigation,
they pronounce him competent and worthy to become
a member, he may be admitted upon taking the ob-
ligation required and passing through the ceremo-
nies of initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be
admitted into this * who shall have not attain-
ed the age of eighteen years.
Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a dis-
tant * when there is a * established and in
operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor
shall any one become a member of any * after
he shall have been rejected by any other *.
ENSIGN.
ART. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be
in the form of an isosceles triangle, five feet long
and three wide at the staff. The material shall be
Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three
inches in width. There shall be painted upon it,
in black, a Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55] with
the following motto inscribed above the Dragon,
"QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS."[56]
AMENDMENTS.
ART. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts
thereof, shall never be changed except by a two-
[Footer: O tempora! O mores!]
[Header: Ad utrumque paratus. 14]
thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in
Convention assembled, and at which Convention
the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a
vote. And upon the application of a majority of
the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the Grand
Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said
Convention; which, when assembled, shall pro-
ceed to make such modifications and amendments as
it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the
utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purpo-
ses of the *.
INTERDICTION.
ART. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and
ritual of this * shall never be written, but the
same shall be communicated orally.
REGISTER.
1st--Dismal. 7th--Dreadful.
2nd--Dark. 8th--Terrible.
3rd--Furious. 9th--Horrible.
4th--Portentous. 10th--Melancholy.
5th--Wonderful. 11th--Mournful.
6th--Alarming. 12th--Dying.
II.
I--White. IV--Black.
II--Green. V--Yellow.
III--Blue. VI--Crimson.
VII--Purple.
III.
1--Fearful. 7--Doleful.
2--Startling. 8--Sorrowful.
3--Awful. 9--Hideous.
4--Woeful. 10--Frightful.
5--Horrid. 11--Appalling.
6--Bloody. 12--Last.
EDICTS.
I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one
dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated
and received into the *.
II. No member shall be allowed to take any in-
toxicating spirits to any meeting of the *. Nor
shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting
when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a
meeting in such a condition, he shall be fined the
[Footer: Cavendo tutus.]
[Header: Astra castra, numen lumen. 15]
sum of not less than one nor more than five dollars,
to go into the revenue of the *.
III. Any member may be expelled from the *
by a majority vote of the officers and ghouls of the
Den to which he belongs, and if after such expulsion
such member shall assume any of the duties, rega-
lia or insignia of the * or in any way claim to be
a member of the same, he shall be severely punish-
ed. His obligation of secrecy shall be as binding
upon him after expulsion as before, and for any
revelation made by him thereafter, he shall be held
accountable in the same manner as if he were then
a member.
IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to
be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to the *
of his Den, at least once in every three months,--
And shall read them to each new member when he
is initiated, or present the same to him for person-
al perusal.
V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand
Banner of the *.
VI. The *s of Dens may make such addition-
al Edicts for their control and government as they
shall deem requisite and necessary. _Provided_,
No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the pro-
visions or Edicts of this Prescript.
VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, con-
cerning any and everything that relates to the *
shall at all times be maintained.
VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the
secrets or purposes of this * shall suffer the ex-
treme penalty of the Law.
Hush, thou art not to utter what
I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant.
I said that I would see thee once again.
[Footer: Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat.]
[Header: Amici usque ad aras. 16]
L' ENVOI.
To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Jus-
tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of
the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the * *
[Footer: Nos ducit amor libertatis.]
FOOTNOTES:
[55] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial.
[56] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to be true."
APPENDIX II.
REVISED AND AMENDED PRESCRIPT OF KU KLUX KLAN
ADOPTED IN 1868 (?)
Reprinted _in facsimile_
REVISED AND AMENDED
PRESCRIPT
OF THE
ORDER
OF THE
*
* *
_Damnant quod non intelligunt._
APPELLATION.
This Organization shall be styled and
denominated, the Order of the * * *.
CREED.
We, the Order of the * * *, rever-
entially acknowledge the majesty and
supremacy of the Divine Being, and
recognize the goodness and providence
of the same. And we recognize our
relation to the United States Govern-
ment, the supremacy of the Constitu-
tion, the Constitutional Laws thereof,
and the Union of States thereunder.
CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE ORDER.
This is an institution of Chivalry, Humanity,
Mercy, and Patriotism; embodying in its genius
and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct,
noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and
patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being
First: 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 oppressed; to
succor the suffering and unfortunate, and espe-
cially the widows and orphans of Confederate
soldiers.
Second: To protect and defend the Constitu-
tion of the United States, and all laws passed in
conformity thereto, and to protect the States and
the people thereof from all invasion from any
source whatever.
Third: 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.
ARTICLE I.
TITLES.
SECTION 1. The officers of this Order shall consist
of a Grand Wizard of the Empire, and
his ten Genii; a Grand Dragon of the Realm,
[Header: _Nec scire fas est omnia._ 4]
and his eight Hydras; a Grand Titan of the Do-
minion, and his six Furies; a Grand Giant of
the Province, and his four Goblins; a Grand
Cyclops of the Den, and his two Night-hawks; a
Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a Grand Scribe, a
Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, and a Grand
Sentinel.
SEC. 2. The body politic of this Order shall
be known and designated as "Ghouls."
ARTICLE II.
TERRITORY AND ITS DIVISIONS.
SECTION 1. The territory embraced within the
jurisdiction of this Order shall he coterminous
with the States of Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala-
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas,
Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; all com-
bined constituting the Empire.
SEC. 2. The Empire shall be divided into four
departments, the first to be styled the Realm,
and coterminus with the boundaries of the
several States; the second to be styled the Do-
minion, and to be coterminous with such coun-
ties as the Grand Dragons of the several Realms
may assign to the charge of the Grand Titan.
The third to be styled the Province, and to be co-
terminous with the several counties; _provided_,
the Grand Titan may, when he deems it neces-
sary, assign two Grand Giants to one Province,
prescribing, at the same time, the jurisdiction of
[Header: _Amici humani generis._ 5]
each. The fourth department to be styled the
Den, and shall embrace such part of a Province
as the Grand Giant shall assign to the charge of
a Grand Cyclops.
ARTICLE III.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
GRAND WIZARD.
SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard, who is the
supreme officer of the Empire, shall have power,
and he shall be required to, appoint Grand
Dragons for the different Realms of the Empire;
and he shall have power to appoint his Genii,
also a Grand Scribe, and a Grand Exchequer
for his Department, and he shall have the sole
power to issue copies of this Prescript, through
his subalterns, for the organization and dissemi-
nation of the Order; and when a question of
paramount importance to the interests or pros-
perity of the Order arises, not provided for in
this Prescript, he shall have power to determine
such question, and his decision shall be final
until the same shall be provided for by amend-
ment as hereinafter provided. It shall be his
duty to communicate with, and receive reports
from, the Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the
condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of
the Order within their respective Realms. And,
it shall further be his duty to keep, by his Grand
Scribe, a list of the names (without any caption
or explanation whatever) of the Grand Dragons,
of the different Realms of the Empire, and shall
[Header: _Quemeunque miserum videris, hominem scias._ 6]
number such Realms with the Arabic numerals
1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_; and he shall direct and
instruct his Grand Exchequer as to the appro-
priation and disbursement he shall make of the
revenue of the Order that comes to his hands.
GRAND DRAGON.
SEC. 2. The Grand Dragon, who is the chief
officer of the Realm, shall have power, and he
shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand
Titan for each Dominion of his Realm, (such
Dominion not to exceed three in number for any
Congressional District) said appointments being
subject to the approval of the Grand Wizard of
the Empire. He shall have power to appoint
his Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand
Exchequer for his Department.
It shall be his duty to report to the Grand
Wizard, when required by that officer, the con-
dition, strength, efficiency, and progress of the
Order within his Realm, and to transmit,
through the Grand Titan, or other authorized
sources, to the Order, all information, intelli-
gence, or instruction conveyed to him by the
Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such
other information or instruction as he may think
will promote the interest and utility of the Or-
der. He shall keep by his Grand Scribe, a list
of the names (without caption) of the Grand
Titans of the different Dominions of his Realm,
and shall report the same to the Grand Wizard
when required, and shall number the Domin-
[Header: _Magna est veritas, et prevalebit._ 7]
ion of his Realm with the Arabic numerals 1, 2,
3, etc., _ad finem_. And he shall direct and in-
struct his Grand Exchequer as to the appropria-
tion and disbursement he shall make of the reve-
nue of the Order that comes to his hands.
GRAND TITAN.
SEC. 3. The Grand Titan, who is the chief
officer of the Dominion, shall have power, and he
shall be required, to appoint and instruct a Grand
Giant for each Province of his Dominion, such
appointments, however, being subject to the ap-
proval of the Grand Dragon of the Realm. He
shall have the power to appoint his Furies; also,
a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his
Department. It shall be his duty to report to
the Grand Dragon when required by that officer,
the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress
of the Order within his Dominion, and to trans-
mit through the Grand Giant, or other author-
ized channels, to the Order, all information, in-
telligence, instruction or directions conveyed to
him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, and
all such other information or instruction as he
may think will enhance the interest or efficiency
of the Order.
He shall keep, by his Grand Scribe, a list of
the names (without caption or explanation) of
the Grand Giants of the different Provinces of
his Dominion, and shall report the same to the
Grand Dragon when required; and shall num-
[Header: _Ne tentes aut perfice._ 8]
ber the Provinces of his Dominion with the Ar-
abic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. And he
shall direct and instruct his Grand Exchequer
as to the appropriation and disbursement he shall
make of the revenue of the Order that comes to
his hands.
GRAND GIANT.
SEC. 4. The Grand Giant, who is the chief
officer of the Province, shall have power, and he
is required, to appoint and instruct a Grand Cy-
clops for each Den of his Province, such ap-
pointments, however, being subject to the ap-
proval of the Grand Titan of the Dominion.
And he shall have the further power to appoint
his Goblins; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand
Exchequer for his Department.
It shall be his duty to supervise and admin-
ister general and special instructions in the or-
ganization and establishment of the Order within
his Province, and to report to the Grand Titan,
when required by that officer, the condition,
strength, efficiency, and progress of the Order
within his Province, and to transmit through the
Grand Cyclops, or other legitimate sources, to the
Order, all information, intelligence, instruction,
or directions conveyed to him by the Grand
Titan or other higher authority for that purpose,
and all such other information or instruction as
he may think would advance the purposes or
prosperity of the Order. He shall keep, by his
Grand Scribe, a list of the names (without cap-
[Header: _Quid faciendum?_ 9]
tion or explanation) of the Grand Cyclops of the
various Dens of his Province, and shall report
the same to the Grand Titan when required; and
shall number the Dens of his Province with the
Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc., _ad finem_. He
shall determine and limit the number of Dens
to be organized and established in his Province;
and he shall direct and instruct his Grand Ex-
chequer as to the appropriation and disburse-
ment he shall make of the revenue of the Order
that comes to his hands.
GRAND CYCLOPS.
SEC. 5. The Grand Cyclops, who is the chief
officer of the Den, shall have power to appoint
his Night-hawks, his Grand Scribe, his Grand
Turk, his Grand Exchequer, and his Grand Sen-
tinel. And for small offenses he may punish
any member by fine, and may reprimand him
for the same. And he is further empowered to
admonish and reprimand his Den, or any of the
members thereof, for any imprudence, irregu-
larity, or transgression, whenever he may think
that the interests, welfare, reputation or safety
of the Order demand it. It shall be his duty to
take charge of his Den under the instruction and
with the assistance (when practicable) of the
Grand Giant, and in accordance with and in con-
formity to the provisions of this Prescript--a
copy of which shall in all cases be obtained before
the formation of a Den begins. It shall
[Header: _Fiat justitia ruat coelum._ 10]
further be his duty to appoint all regular meet-
ings of his Den, and to preside at the same; to
appoint irregular meetings when he deems it ex-
pedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline
in his Den; to impose fines for irregularities or
disobedience of orders; and to receive and initi-
ate candidates for admission into the Order, after
the same shall have been pronounced competent
and worthy to become members, by the Investi-
gating Committee herein after provided for.
And it shall further be his duty to make a quar-
terly report to the Grand Giant of the condition,
strength, efficiency, and progress of his Den, and
shall communicate to the Officers and Ghouls of
his Den, all information, intelligence, instruction,
or direction, conveyed to him by the Grand Gi-
ant or other higher authority for that purpose;
and shall from time to time administer all such
other counsel, instruction or direction, as in his
sound discretion, will conduce to the interests,
and more effectually accomplish, the real objects
and designs of the Order.
GRAND MAGI.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Magi, who is the second officer in authority of
the Den, to assist the Grand Cyclops, and to obey
all the orders of that officer; to preside at all
meetings in the Den, in the absence of the Grand
Cyclops; and to discharge during his absence
all the duties and exercise all the powers and
authority of that officer.
[Header: _Dormitus aliquando jus, moritus nunquam._ 11]
GRAND MONK.
SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Monk, who is the third officer in authority of
the Den, to assist and obey all the orders of the
Grand Cyclops and the Grand Magi; and, in
the absence of both of these officers, he shall pre-
side at and conduct the meetings in the Den, and
shall discharge all the duties, and exercise all the
powers and authority of the Grand Cyclops.
GRAND EXCHEQUER.
SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ex-
chequers of the different Departments to keep a
correct account of all the revenue of the Order
that comes to their hands, and of all paid out by
them; and shall make no appropriation or dis-
bursement of the same except under the orders
and direction of the chief officer of their respect-
ive Departments. And it shall further be the
duty of the Exchequers of Dens to collect the
initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the Grand
Cyclops, or the officer discharging his functions.
GRAND TURK.
SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Turk, who is the executive officer of the Grand
Cyclops, to notify the Officers and Ghouls of the
Den, of all informal or irregular meetings ap-
pointed by the Grand Cyclops, and to obey and
execute all the orders of that officer in the con-
trol and government of his Den. It shall further
be his duty to receive and question at the out-
[Header: _Quieta non movere._ 12]
posts, all candidates for admission into the Order,
and shall _there_ administer the preliminary obli-
gation required, and then to conduct such candi-
date or candidates to the Grand Cyclops, and to
assist him in the initiation of the same.
GRAND SCRIBE.
SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Scribes of the different Departments to conduct
the correspondence and write the orders of the
Chiefs of their Departments, when required.
And it shall further be the duty of the Grand
Scribes of Dens, to keep a list of the names
(without any caption or explanation whatever)
of the Officers and Ghouls of the Den, to call the
roll at all meetings, and to make the quarterly
reports under the direction and instruction of the
Grand Cyclops.
GRAND SENTINEL.
SEC. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Sentinel to take charge of post, and instruct the
Grand Guard, under the direction and orders of
the Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss
the same when directed by that officer.
THE STAFF.
SEC. 12. The Genii shall constitute the staff of
the Grand Wizard; the Hydras, that of the
Grand Dragon; the Furies, that of the Grand
Titan; the Goblins, that of the Grand Giant;
and the Night-hawks, that of the Grand Cyclops,
[Header: _Quid verum alque decens._ 13]
REMOVAL.
SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and sub-
stantial cause, any appointee may be removed by
the authority that appointed him, and his place
supplied by another appointment.
ARTICLE IV
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
SECTION 1. The Grand Wizard shall be elected
biennially by the Grand Dragons of Realms.
The first election for this office to take place on
the 1st Monday in May, 1870, (a Grand Wizard
having been created, by the original Prescript,
to serve three years from the 1st Monday in May,
1867); all subsequent elections to take place every
two years thereafter. And the incumbent Grand
Wizard shall notify the Grand Dragons of the
different Realms, at least six months before said
election, at what time and place the same will
be held; a majority vote of all the Grand
Dragons _present_ being necessary and sufficient to
elect a Grand Wizard. Such election shall be
by ballot, and shall be held by three Commis-
sioners appointed by the Grand Wizard for that
purpose; and in the event of a tie, the Grand
Wizard shall have the casting-vote.
SEC. 2. The Grand Magi and the Grand Monk
of Dens shall be elected annually by the Ghouls
of Dens; and the first election for these officers
may take place as soon as ten Ghouls have been
initiated for the formation of a Den. All subse-
[Header: _Art est colare artem._ 14]
quent elections to take place every year there-
after.
SEC. 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office
of Grand Wizard, by death, resignation, removal,
or otherwise, the senior Grand Dragon of the
Empire shall immediately assume and enter
upon the discharge of the duties of the Grand
Wizard, and shall exercise the powers and per-
form the duties of said office until the same shall
be filled by election; and the said senior Grand
Dragon, as soon as practicable after the happen-
ing of such vacancy, shall call a convention of
the Grand Dragons of Realms, to be held at
such time and place as in his discretion he may
deem most convenient and proper. _Provided_,
however, that the time for assembling such Con-
vention for the election of a Grand Wizard shall
in no case exceed six months from the time such
vacancy occurred; and in the event of a va-
cancy in any other office, the same shall imme-
diately be filled in the manner herein before
mentioned.
SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or ap-
pointed may retain their offices during the time
for which they have been so elected or appointed,
at the expiration of which time said offices shall
be filled as herein-before provided.
ARTICLE V
JUDICIARY.
SECTION 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this
Order shall consist of a Court at the Head-quar-
[Header: _Nusquam tuta fides._ 15]
ters of the Empire, the Realm, the Dominion, the
Province, and the Den, to be appointed by the
Chiefs of these several Departments.
SEC. 2. The Court at the Head-quarters of
the Empire shall consist of three Judges for the
trial of Grand Dragons, and the Officers and at-
taches belonging to the Head-quarters of the
Empire.
SEC. 3. The Court at the Head-quarters of the
Realm shall consist of three Judges for the trial
of Grand Titans, and the Officers and attaches
belonging to the Head-quarters of the Realm.
SEC. 4. The Court at the Head-quarters of the
Dominion shall consist of three Judges for the
trial of Grand Giants, and the Officers and at-
taches belonging to the Head-quarters of the
Dominion.
SEC. 5. The Court at the Head-quarters of the
Province shall consist of five Judges for the
trial of Grand Cyclops, the Grand Magis, Grand
Monks, and the Grand Exchequers of Dens, and
the Officers and attaches belonging to the Head-
quarters of the Province.
SEC. 6. The Court at the Head-quarters of the
Den shall consist of seven Judges appointed
from the Den for the trial of Ghouls and the
officers belonging to the Head-quarters of the Den.
SEC. 7. The Tribunal for the trial of the Grand
Wizard shall be composed of at least seven Grand
Dragons, to be convened by the senior Grand
Dragon upon charges being preferred against the
[Header: _Fide non armis._ 16]
Grand Wizard; which Tribunal shall be organ-
ized and presided over by the senior Grand
Dragon _present_; and if they find the accused
guilty, they shall prescribe the penalty, and the
senior Grand Dragon of the Empire shall cause
the same to be executed.
SEC. 8. The aforesaid Courts shall summon
the accused and witnesses for and against him,
and if found guilty, they shall prescribe the pen-
alty, and the Officers convening the Court shall
cause the same to be executed. _Provided_ the ac-
cused shall always have the right of appeal to
the next Court above, whose decision shall be
final.
SEC. 9. The Judges constituting the aforesaid
Courts shall be selected with reference to their
intelligence, integrity, and fair-mindedness, and
shall render their verdict without prejudice,
favor, partiality, or affection, and shall be so
sworn, upon the organization of the Court; and
shall further be sworn to administer even-handed
justice.
SEC. 10. The several Courts herein provided
for shall be governed in their deliberations, pro-
ceedings, and judgments by the rules and regu-
lations governing the proceedings of regular
Courts-martial.
ARTICLE VI.
REVENUE.
SECTION 1. The revenue of this Order shall be
derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre-
[Header: _Dat Deus his quoque finem._ 17]
script issued to Dens, $10 will be required; $2
of which shall go into the hands of the Grand
Exchequer of the Grand Giant, $2 into the hands
of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Titan,
$2 into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of
the Grand Dragon, and the remaining $4 into
the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand
Wizard.
SEC. 2. A further source of revenue to the
Empire shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue
of the Realms, and a tax upon Realms when the
Grand Wizard shall deem it necessary and in-
dispensable to levy the same.
SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms
shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Do-
minions, and a tax upon Dominions when the
Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and in-
dispensable to levy the same.
SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin-
ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of
Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the
Grand Giant shall deem such tax necessary and
indispensable.
SEC. 5. A further source of revenue to Provin-
ces shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of
Dens, and a tax upon Dens when the Grand
Giant shall deem such tax necessary and indis-
pensable.
SEC. 6. The source of revenue to Dens shall
be the initiation fees, fines, and a _per capita_ tax,
whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such
[Header: _Cessante causa, cessat effectus._ 18]
tax necessary and indispensable to the interests
and objects of the Order.
SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the man-
ner aforesaid, shall be for the _exclusive_ benefit of
the Order, and shall be appropriated to the
dissemination of the same and to the creation of
a fund to meet any disbursement that it may be-
come necessary to make to accomplish the ob-
jects of the Order and to secure the protection of
the same.
ARTICLE VII.
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for ad-
mission into the Order until he shall have first
been recommended by some friend or intimate
who _is_ a member, to the Investigating Commit-
tee, (which shall be composed of the Grand Cy-
clops, the Grand Magi, and the Grand Monk,)
and who shall have investigated his antecedents
and his past and present standing and connec-
tions; and after such investigation, shall have
pronounced him competent and worthy to become
a member. _Provided_, no one shall be presented
for admission into, or become a member of, this
Order who shall not have attained the age of
eighteen years.
SEC. 2. No one shall become a member of this
Order unless he shall _voluntarily_ take the follow-
ing oaths or obligations, and shall _satisfactorily_
answer the following interrogatories, while kneel-
[Header: _Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui._ 19]
ing, with his right hand raised to heaven, and
his left hand resting on the Bible:
PRELIMINARY OBLIGATION.
"I ---- solemnly swear or affirm that I will
never reveal any thing that I may this day (or
night) learn concerning the Order of the * * *,
and that I will true answer make to such interrog-
atories as may be put to me touching my com-
petency for admission into the same. So help
me God."
INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED:
1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon appli-
cation for membership in the * * *, or have you
ever been expelled from the same?
2d. Are you now, or have you ever been, a
member of the Radical Republican party, or
either of the organizations known as the "Loyal
League" and the "Grand Army of the Re-
public?".
3d. Are you opposed to the principles and
policy of the Radical party, and to the Loyal
League, and the Grand Army of the Republic,
so far as you are informed of the character and
purposes of those organizations?
4th. Did you belong to the Federal army
during the late war, and fight against the South
during the existence of the same?
5th. Are you opposed to negro equality, both
social and political?
6th. Are you in favor of a white man's gov-
ernment in this country?
[Header: _Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare._ 20]
7th. Are you in favor of Constitutional liberty,
and a Government of equitable laws instead of a
Government of violence and oppression?
8th. Are you in favor of maintaining the Con-
stitutional rights of the South?
9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchise-
ment and emancipation of the white men of
the South, and the restitution of the Southern
people to all their rights, alike proprietary, civil,
and political?
10th. Do you believe in the inalienable right
of self-preservation of the people against the ex-
ercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power?
If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfacto-
rily answered, and the candidate desires to go
further (after something of the character and na-
ture of the Order has thus been indicated to him)
and to be admitted to the benefits, mysteries,
secrets and purposes of the Order, he shall then
be required to take the following final oath or
obligation. But if said interrogatories are not
satisfactorily answered, or the candidate declines
to proceed further, he shall be discharged, after
being solemnly admonished by the initiating offi-
cer of the deep secresy to which the oath already
taken has bound him, and that the extreme pen-
alty of the law will follow a violation of the same.
FINAL OBLIGATION.
"I ---- of my own free will and accord,
and in the presence of Almighty God, do sol-
emnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to
[Header: _Deo adjuvante, non timendum._ 21]
any one not a member of the Order of the * * *,
by any intimation, sign, symbol, word or act, or
in any other manner whatever, any of the secrets,
signs, grips, pass-words, or mysteries of the Order
of the * * *, or that I am a member of the same,
or that I know any one who _is_ a member; and
that I will abide by the Prescript and Edicts of
the Order of the * * * So help me God."
The initiating officer will then proceed to ex-
plain to the new members the character and ob-
jects of the Order, and introduce him to the mys-
teries and secrets of the same; and shall read to
him this Prescript and the Edicts thereof, or
present the same to him for personal perusal.
ARTICLE VIII.
AMENDMENTS.
This Prescript or any part or Edicts thereof
shall never be changed, except by a two-thirds
vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in
convention assembled, and at which convention
the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled
to a vote. And upon the application of a ma-
jority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the
Grand Wizard shall call and appoint the time
and place for said convention; which, when as-
sembled, shall proceed to make such modifica-
tions and amendments as it may think will
promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and
more thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the
Order.
[Header: _Spectemus agendo._ 22]
ARTICLE IX.
INTERDICTION.
The origin, mysteries, and Ritual of this Order
shall never be written, but the same shall be
communicated orally.
ARTICLE X.
EDICTS.
1. No one shall become a member of a distant
Den, when there is a Den established and in ope-
ration in his own immediate vicinity; nor shall
any one become a member of any Den, or of this
Order in any way after he shall have been once
rejected, upon application for membership.
2. No Den, or officer, or member, or members
thereof, shall operate beyond their prescribed
limits, unless invited or ordered by the proper
authority so to do.
3. No member shall be allowed to take any
intoxicating spirits to any meeting of the Den;
nor shall any member be allowed to attend a
meeting while intoxicated; and for every ap-
pearance at a meeting in such condition, he shall
be fined the sum of not less than one nor more
than five dollars, to go into the revenue of the
Order.
4. Any member may be expelled from the
Order by a majority vote of the Officers and
Ghouls of the Den to which he belongs; and if
after such expulsion, such member shall assume
any of the duties, regalia, or insignia of the Or-
[Header: _Nemo nos impune lacissit._ 23]
der, or in any way claim to be a member of the
same, he shall be severely punished. His obli-
gation of secrecy shall be as binding upon him
after expulsion as before, and for any revelation
made by him thereafter, he shall be held ac-
countable in the same manner as if he were then
a member.
5. Upon the expulsion of any member from
the Order, the Grand Cyclops, or the officer act-
ing in his stead, shall immediately report the
same to the Grand Giant of the Province, who
shall cause the fact to be made known and read
in each Den of his Province, and shall transmit
the same, through the proper channels, to the
Grand Dragon of the Realm, who shall cause it
to be published to every Den in his Realm, and
shall notify the Grand Dragons of contiguous
Realms of the same.
6. Every Grand Cyclops shall read, or cause
to be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to his
Den, at least once in every month; and shall read
them to each new member when he is initiated,
or present the same to him for personal perusal.
7. The initiation fee of this Order shall be one
dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated
and received into the Order.
8. Dens may make such additional Edicts for
their control and government as they may deem
requisite and necessary. _Provided_, no Edict
shall be made to conflict with any of the provi-
sions or Edicts of this Prescript.
[Header: _Ad unum omnes._ 24]
9. The most profound and rigid secrecy con-
cerning any and everything that relates to the
Order, shall at all times be maintained.
10. Any member who shall reveal or betray
the secrets of this Order, shall suffer the extreme
penalty of the law.
ADMONITION.
Hush! thou art not to utter what I am, be-
think thee! it was our covenant!
REGISTER.
I.
1. Dismal, 7. Painful,
2. Mystic, 8. Portentous,
3. Stormy, 9. Fading,
4. Peculiar, 10. Melancholy,
5. Blooming, 11. Glorious,
6. Brilliant, 12. Gloomy.
II.
I. White, II. Green, III. Yellow, IV. Amber,
V. Purple, VI. Crimson, VII. Emerald.
III.
1. Fearful, 7. Hideous,
2. Startling, 8. Frightful,
3. Wonderful, 9. Awful,
4. Alarming, 10. Horrible,
5. Mournful, 11. Dreadful,
6. Appalling, 12. Last.
IV.
Cumberland.
L'ENVOI.
To the lovers of law and order, peace and jus-
tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of the
venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the
Order of the * * *
_Resurgamus._
APPENDIX III.
CONSTITUTION OF A LOCAL
ORDER MODELED UPON
KU KLUX KLAN
Used in South Carolina and in North Carolina
From The Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I.
This organization shall be known as the ---- Order, No. --, of the Ku
Klux Klan of the State of South Carolina.
ARTICLE II.
The officers shall consist of a cyclops and a scribe, both of whom
shall be elected by a majority vote of the order, and to hold their
office during good behavior.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the C. to preside in the order,
enforce a due observance of the constitution and by-laws, and an exact
compliance to the rules and usages of the order; to see that all the
members perform their respective duties; to appoint all committees
before the order; inspect the arms and dress of each member on
special occasions; to call meetings when necessary; draw upon members
for all sums needed to carry on the order.
SEC. 2. The S. shall keep a record of the proceedings of the order;
write communications; notify other Klans when their assistance is
needed; give notice when any member has to suffer the penalty for
violating his oath; see that all books, papers or other property
belonging to his office, are placed beyond the reach of any one not a
member of the order. He shall perform such other duties as may be
required of him by the C.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION 1. No person shall be initiated into this order under eighteen
years of age.
SEC. 2. No person of color shall be admitted into this order.
SEC. 3. No person shall be admitted into this order who does not
sustain a good moral character, and who is in any way incapacitated to
perform the duties of a Ku Klux.
SEC. 4. The name of a person proposed for membership must be proposed
by the committee appointed by the chief, verbally, stating age,
residence, and occupation; state if he was a soldier in the late war,
his rank, whether in the Federal or Confederate service, and his
command.
ARTICLE V.
SECTION 1. Any member who shall offend against these articles, or the
by-laws shall be subject to be fined and reprimanded by the C., as
two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting may
determine.
SEC. 2. Every member shall be entitled to a fair trial for any offense
involving reprimand or criminal punishment.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1. This order shall meet at ----.
SEC. 2. Five members shall constitute a quorum, provided the C. or S.
be present.
SEC. 3. The C. shall have power to appoint such members of the order
to attend the sick, the needy, and those distressed, and those
suffering from radical misrule, as the case may require.
SEC. 4. No person shall be appointed on a committee unless the person
is present at the time of appointment. Members of committees
neglecting to report shall be fined 30 cents.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION 1. Every member, on being admitted, shall sign the
constitution and by-laws and pay the initiation fee.
SEC. 2. A brother of the Klan wishing to become a member of this
order, who shall present his application with the proper papers of
transfer from the order of which he was a member formerly, shall be
admitted to the order only by a unanimous vote of the members present.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION 1. The initiation fee shall be ----.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION 1. Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his fine or
dues shall be dealt with as the chief thinks proper.
SEC. 2. Sickness or absence from the country or being engaged in any
important business shall be a valid excuse for any neglect of duty.
ARTICLE V.
SECTION 1. Each member shall provide himself with a pistol, Ku Klux
gown and signal instruments.
SEC. 2. When charges have been preferred against a member in proper
manner, or any matters of grievance between brother Ku Klux are
brought before the order, they shall be referred to a committee of
three or more members, who shall examine the parties and determine the
matters in question, reporting their decision to the order. If the
parties interested desire, two-thirds of the members present voting in
favor of the report, it shall be carried.
ARTICLE VI.
SECTION 1. It is the duty of every member who has evidence that
another has violated Article II. to prefer the charges and specify the
offense to the order.
SEC. 2. The charge for violating Article II. shall be referred to a
committee of five or more members, who shall as soon as practicable,
summon the parties and investigate the matter.
SEC. 3. If the committee agree that the charges are sustained, that
the member on trial has intentionally violated his oath, or Article
II., they shall report the fact to the order.
SEC. 4. If the committee agree that the charges are not sustained,
that the member is not guilty of violating his oath or Article II.,
they shall report to that effect to the order and the charges shall be
dismissed.
SEC. 5. When the committee report that the charges are sustained, and
the unanimous vote of the members is given thereof, the offending
person shall be sentenced to death by the chief.
SEC. 6. The person, through the cyclops of the order of which he is a
member, can make application for pardon to the Great Grand Cyclops of
Nashville, Tennessee, in which case execution of the sentence can be
stayed until pardoning power is heard from.
ARTICLE VII.
SECTION 1. Any member who shall betray or divulge any of the matters
of the order shall suffer death.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECTION 1. The following shall be the rules of any order to any matter
herein not provided for; shall be managed in strict accordance with
the Ku Klux rules.
SEC. 2. When the chief takes his position on the right, the scribe,
with the members forming a half-circle around them, and at the sound
of the signal instrument there shall be profound silence.
SEC. 3. Before proceeding to business, the scribe shall call the roll
and note the absentees.
SEC. 4. Business shall be taken up in the following order:
1. Reading the minutes.
2. Excuse of members at preceding meeting.
3. Report of committee of candidates for membership.
4. Collection of dues.
5. Are any of the order sick or suffering?
6. Report of committees.
7. New business.
APPENDIX IV.
KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS
AND OATHS
KU KLUX ORDERS, WARNINGS, OATHS.
KU KLUX KLAN.
ALERT!
(Crossed muskets)
(and pistol.) (Spade ax ax.)
ALERT! ALERT!
T T T T T T T T T T T
The B. G. C. of the K. K. K. is in town. You who know the signal of
his presence and have seen it be on the _alert_. You who do not--to a
brother--_mark the nail of the finger and the_ (?) must be organized
in the future. _Traitors_ to their race _will not always flemish like
the bay. Dimity marks them. Look out. And meet at the cave where the
Greased Lightning Slumbers._
By order of the
B. G. C.
In Pro., Per.
D. W. S.
Forerunner.[57]
KU KLUX.
Serpent's Den--Death's Retreat
Hollow Tomb--Misery Cave of the
Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000.
Windy Month--Bloody Moon,
Muddy Night--Twelfth Hour.
_General Orders No. 1._
Make ready! Make ready! Make ready!
The mighty hobgoblins of the Confederate dead in Hell-a-Bulloo
assembled!
Revenge, Revenge!
Be secret, be cautious, be terrible!
By special grant, Hell freezes over for your passage. Offended ghosts,
put on your skates, and cross over to mother earth!
Work! Work!! Work!!!
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Ye white men who stick to black, soulless beasts! the time arrives for
you to part. Q. W. X. W. V. U., and so, from Omega to Alpha.
Cool it with a baboon's blood
Then the charm is firm and good.
Ye niggers who stick to low whites!
Begone, Begone, Begone! The world turns around--the thirteenth hour
approacheth.
S. one, two, and three--beware! White and yellow.
J. and T---- P---- and L---- begone.--The handwriting on the wall
warns you!
From the murderer's gibbet, throw
Into the flame. Come high and low.
By order of the Great
BLUFUSTIN.
G. S. K. K. K.
A true copy,
Peterloo.
P. S. K. K. K.
KU KLUX.
Hell-a-Bulloo Hole--Den of Skulls.
Bloody Bones--Headquarters of the
Great Ku Klux Klan, No. 1,000.
Windy Month--New Moon.
Cloudy Night--Thirteenth Hour.
_General Orders No. 2._
The great chief Simulacre summons you!
Be ready! Crawl slowly! Strike hard!
Fire around the pot!
Sweltered venom, sleeping got
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble!
The Great High Priest Cyclops! C. J. F. Y.
Varnish, Tar and Turpentine!
The fifth Ghost sounds his Trumpet!
The mighty Genii wants two black wethers!
Make them, make them, make them! Presto!
The Great Giantess must have a white barrow.
Make him, make him, make him! Presto!
Meet at once--the den of Snakes--the Giants jungle--the hole of Hell!
The second Hobgoblin will be there, a mighty Ghost of valor! His eyes
of fire, his voice of thunder! Clean the streets--clean the serpents'
dens.
Red hot pincers! Bastinado!! Cut Clean!!! No more to be born. Fire and
brimstone.
Leave us, leave us, leave us! One, two, three tonight! Others soon!
Hell freezes! On with skates--glide on. Twenty from Atlanta. Call the
roll. _Bene dicite!_ The Great Ogre orders it!
By order of the Great
BLUFUSTIN.
G. S. K. K. K.
A true copy,
Peterloo.
P. S. K. K. K.
KU KLUX.
Hollow Hell, Devil's Den, Horrible
Shadows. Ghostly Sepulchre.
Head Quarters of the Immortal Ate
of the K. K. K. Gloomy month. Bloody
Moon. Black Night, Last Hour.
_General Orders No. 3._
Shadowed Brotherhood! Murdered heroes!
Fling the bloody dirt that covers you to the four winds! Erect thy
Goddess on the banks of the Avernus. Mark well your foes! Strike with
the red hot spear! Prepare Charon for his task!
Enemies reform! The skies shall be blackened! A single Star shall look
down upon horrible deeds! The night owl shall hoot a requiem o'er
Ghostly Corpses!
Beware! Beware! Beware!
The Great Cyclops is angry! Hobgoblins report! Shears and lash! Tar
and Feathers! Hell and Fury!
Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!
Bad men! white, black, yellow, repent!
The hour is at hand! Be ye ready! Life is short. J. H. S. Y. W.!!!
Ghosts! Ghosts!! Ghosts!!!
Drink thy tea made of distilled hell, stirred with the lightning of
heaven, and sweetened with the gall of thine enemies!
All will be well!!!
By order of the Great
BLUFUSTIN.
G. S. K. K. K.
A true copy,
Peterloo.
P. S. K. K. K.[58]
[Illustration:
Prospective scene in the "City of Oaks," 4th of March, 1868.
"Hang, curs, hang! * * * * * _Their_ complexion is
perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to _their_
hanging! * * * * * If they be not born to be hanged,
our case is miserable."
The above cut represents the fate in store for those great pests
of Southern society--the carpet-bagger and scallawag--if found
in Dixie's Land after the break of day on the 4th of March next.
The genus carpet-bagger is a man with a lank head of dry hair, a
lank stomach and long legs, club knees and splay feet, dried
legs and lank jaws with eyes like a fish and mouth like a shark.
Add to this a habit of sneaking and dodging about in unknown
places--habiting with negroes in dark dens and back streets--a
look like a hound and the smell of a polecat.
Words are wanting to do full justice to the genus scallawag. He
is a cur with a contracted head, downward look, slinking and
uneasy gait; sleeps in the woods, like old Crossland, at the
bare idea of a Ku-Klux raid.
Our scallawag is the local leper of the community. Unlike the
carpet-bagger, he is native, which is so much the worse. Once he
was respected in his circle; his head was level, and he would
look his neighbor in the face. Now, possessed of the itch of
office and the salt rheum of Radicalism, he is a mangy dog,
slinking through the alleys, haunting the Governor's office,
defiling with tobacco juice the steps of the Capitol, stretching
his lazy carcass in the sun on the Square, or the benches of the
Mayor's Court.