that he may step in and be healed of the itch by the ointment of
office. For office he 'bums' as a toper 'bums' for the
satisfying dram. For office, yet in prospective, he hath
bartered respectability; hath abandoned business, and ceased to
labor with his hands, but employs his feet kicking out
boot-heels against lamp post and corner curb, while discussing
the question of office
THE FATE OF THE CARPETBAGGER AND THE SCALAWAG
Cartoon by Ryland Randolph in _Independent Monitor_, September 1,
1868.]
TO THE PUBLIC
K. K. K.
TAKEN BY HABEAS CORPUS.
In silence and secrecy thought has been working, and the benignant
efficacies of concealment speak for themselves. Once again have we
been forced by force to use _Force_. Justice was lame, and she had to
lean upon us. Information being obtained that a "doubting Thomas," the
inferior of nothing, the superior of nothing, and of consequence the
equal of nothing, who has neither eyes to see the scars of oppression,
nor ears to hear the cause of humanity, even though he wears the
Judicial silk, had ordered some guilty prisoners from Union to the
City of Columbia, and of injustice and prejudice, for an _unfair trial
of life_; thus clutching at the wheel-spokes of destiny--then this
thing was created and projected; otherwise it would never have been.
We yield to the inevitable and inexorable, and account this the
_best_. "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth," is our
motto.
We want peace, but this cannot be till justice returns. We want and
will have justice, but this cannot be till the bleeding fight of
freedom is fought. Until then the Moloch of Iniquity will have his
victims, even if the Michael of Justice must have his martyrs.
K. K. K.[59]
ANOTHER KU KLUX PROCLAMATION.[60]
The following document was discovered on yesterday morning posted on
the "legal advertisement" board hanging at the court-house door. We
have examined the original and find it is in the same handwriting as
the one left with the jailer on the night of the late raid on the
jail:
HEADQUARTERS K. K. K, DEPARTMENT OF S. C.,
_General Orders No. 49._
_From the G. G. C., S. S._
We delight not in speech, but there is language which, when meant in
earnest, becomes desperate. We raise the voice of warning, beware!
beware! Persons there are, (_and not unknown to us_,) who, to gratify
some private grudge or selfish end, like Wheeler's men, so called, are
executing their low, paltry, and pitiful designs at the expense, not
only of the noble creed we profess and act, but also to the great
trouble and annoyance of their neighbors in various communities. We
stay our hand for once; but if such conduct is frightening away
laborers, robbery, and connivance at the secrets of our organization
is repeated, then the mockers _must_ suffer and the traitors meet
their merited doom. We dare not promise what we do not perform. We
want no substitutes or conscripts in our ranks. We can be as generous
as we are terrible; but, _stand back_. We've said it, and there can be
no interference.
By order of the Grand Chief,
A.O.,
_Grand Secretary._
KU KLUX MANIFESTO.[61]
Below we publish a document which we received through the postoffice
on Monday last, it having been dropped into the letter box the
previous night, as we are informed by the postmaster. As to whether or
not the paper is genuine, and emanates from the mysterious Ku Klux
Klan, we have no means of knowing, as the handwriting is evidently
disguised. Although it is our rule to decline the publication of all
anonymous communications, we have decided to waive the rule in this
instance, and print the document for what it is worth. Here it is in
full:
EXTRACT OF MINUTES.
ARTICLE 1. Whereas there are malicious and evil disposed persons, who
endeavor to perpetrate their malice, serve notices, and make threats
under the cover of our august name, now we warn all such bogus
organizations that we will not allow of any interference. Stop it.
ARTICLE 2. There shall be no interference with any honest, decent,
well-behaved person, whether white or black; and we cordially invite
all such to continue at their appropriate labor, and they shall be
protected therein by the whole power of this organization. But we do
intend that the honest, intelligent white people (the tax payers) of
this county shall rule it! We can no longer put up with negro rule,
black bayonets, and a miserably degraded, thievish set of lawmakers,
(God save the mark!) the scum of the earth, the scrapings of creation.
We are pledged to stop it; we are determined to end it, even if we are
"forced by force to use force."
ARTICLE 3. Our attention having been called to the letter of one Rose,
county treasurer of York, we brand it as a lie! Our lieutenant was
ordered to arrest him, that he might be tried on alleged charges of
incendiarism, (and if convicted he will be executed). But there were
no shots fired at him and no money stolen; that is not in our line,
the legislature of the State of South Carolina have a monopoly in that
line.
By command of the Chief.
Official: K. K. K., A. A. G.
K. K. K.[62]
HEADQUARTERS; NINTH DIVISION, S.C.,
_Special Orders No. 3, K. K. K._
"Ignorance is the curse of God." For this reason we are determined
that the members of the legislature, the school commissioners, and the
county commissioners of Union, shall no longer officiate. Fifteen (15)
days' notice from this date is therefore given and if they, _one and
all_, do not _at once and forever resign_ their present inhuman,
disgraceful, and outrageous rule, then retributive justice will as
surely be used as night follows day.
Also, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." For this reason, if
the clerk of the said board of county commissioners and school
commissioners does not _immediately_ renounce and relinquish his
present position, then harsher measures than these will most assuredly
and _certainly_ be used.
For confirmation, reference to the orders heretofore published in the
_Union Weekly Times_ and _Yorkville Enquirer_ will more fully and
completely show our intention.
A.O.,
_Grand Secretary._
March 9, 1871.
[Illustration:
"Dam Your Soul. The Horrible _Sepulchre_ and Bloody Moon has at
last arrived. Some live to-day to-morrow "_Die._" We the
undersigned understand through our Grand "_Cyclops_" that you
have recommended a big Black Nigger for Male agent on our nu
rode; wel, sir, Jest you understand in time if he gets on the
rode you can make up your mind to pull roape. If you have any
thing to say in regard to the Matter, meet the Grand Cyclops and
Conclave at Den No. 4 at 12 o'clock midnight, Oct. 1st, 1871.
"When you are in Calera we warn you to hold your tounge and not
speak so much with your mouth or otherwise you will be taken on
supprise and led out by the Klan and learnt to stretch hemp.
Beware. Beware. Beware. Beware.
(Signed) "PHILLIP ISENBAUM,
"_Grand Cyclops_.
"JOHN BANKSTOWN.
"ESAU DAVES.
"MARCUS THOMAS.
"BLOODY BONES.
"You know who. And all others of the Klan."
WARNING SENT BY THE KLAN
From Ku Klux Report, Alabama Testimony.]
THE OATH.[63]
I, before the great immaculate God of heaven and earth, do take and
subscribe to the following sacred binding oath and obligation: I
promise and swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of
the United States as it was handed down by our forefathers in its
original purity. I promise and swear that I will reject and oppose the
principles of the radical party in all its forms, and forever maintain
and contend that intelligent white men shall govern this country. I
promise and pledge myself to assist, according to my pecuniary
circumstances, all brothers in distress. Females, widows, and their
households shall ever be specially in my care and protection. I
promise and swear that I will obey all instructions given me by my
chief, and should I ever divulge or cause to be divulged any secrets,
signs or pass-words of the Invisible Empire, I must meet with the
fearful and just penalty of the traitor, which is death, death, death,
at the hands of my brethren.[64]
* * * * *
I, T. A. Hope, before the Great Immaculate Judges of Heaven and Earth,
and upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, do, of my own free will
and accord, subscribe to the following sacred, binding obligation:
I. I am on the side of justice and humanity, and constitutional
liberty as bequeathed to us by our forefathers in its original purity.
II. I reject and oppose the principles of the radical party.
III. I pledge aid to a brother of the Ku Klux Klan in sickness,
distress, or pecuniary embarrassments; females, friends, and widows,
and their households shall be the special object of my care and
devoted protection.
IV. Should I ever divulge, or cause to be divulged, any of the secrets
of this order, or any of the foregoing obligations, I must meet with
the fearful punishment of death and traitor's doom, which is death,
death, death, at the hands of the brethren.[65]
* * * * *
I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Invisible
Circle; that I will defend our families, our wives, our children, and
brethren; that I will assist a brother in distress to the best of my
ability; that I will never reveal the secrets of this order or
anything in regard to it that may come to my knowledge, and if I do
may I meet a traitor's doom, which is death, death, death: so help me
God, and so punish me my brethren.[66]
FOOTNOTES:
[57] Montgomery Mail, March 23, 1868.
[58] This and the two preceding orders were written by Ryland Randolph
and printed in his paper _The Independent Monitor_, of Tuscaloosa,
Alabama.
[59] From the _Weekly Union Times_ of Unionville, S.C., February 17,
1871; South Carolina Testimony, pp. 1003, 1092. The negro militia of
South Carolina had killed a man who refused to sell whisky to them.
Several were arrested and imprisoned. A radical judge named Thomas, in
Columbia, 60 or 70 miles away and out of the district where the crime
was committed, directed that the prisoners be removed to Columbia for
trial. The whites believed that this was done as the first step toward
releasing the criminals. A mob came in, took the men from jail, shot
them and gave to the sheriff the above notice with instructions to
have it published in the newspapers.
[60] Weekly Union Times, Unionville, S.C., February 24, 1871; Ku Klux
Report, South Carolina Testimony, p. 1004. The Ku Klux Klan had many
imitators, and lawless conduct was often carried on under the
protection of the name and prestige of the Klan. The above warning was
meant for those who had been using the name of the order to cloak evil
deeds.
[61] _Yorkville Enquirer_, Yorkville, S.C., March 9, 1871; South
Carolina Testimony, p. 1347. Another warning to those engaged in
lawlessness and using the name of the Klan.
[62] _Union Weekly Times_, March 17, 1871; South Carolina Testimony,
p. 1096. This order illustrates one method of getting rid of obnoxious
officials.
[63] The oath of Ku Klux Klan was not printed. The three versions here
given were given from memory. The similarity is marked, however.
[64] Ku Klux Report. North Carolina Testimony. Court Proceedings, p.
422.
[65] Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony, pp. 399, 400.
[66] South Carolina Testimony, p. 361.
INDEX
A.
Abernathy, Dr. C.C., a member of the Klan, 21
Admission of members, 147, 170
Admonition, 176
Alabama, Costumes worn in, 43, 58, 97;
investigation in, 43;
Klan extends to, 70
Amendment of Prescript, 147, 173
"American Historical Magazine," cited, 39
Anderson, Gen. G.T., a member of the Klan, 27
Appellation Official, of the Order, 136, 154
"Appomattox Program," not carried out, 33
B.
Badges worn by high officials, 59
(See also outside cover.)
Beati Paoli, 25
Black Belt, Ku Klux Klan mainly outside of, 23
Bowers, Dr. James, a member, 21
Brown, Gen. John C., a member, 26
Brown, W.G., "The Lower South," cited, 18
Brownlow, W.G., Governor of Tennessee, 1865-1868, 125;
his militia a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 29;
proclaims martial law, 128;
has "Force Laws" passed, 113;
his detective drowned by the Klan, 67
Brownlow Republicans in Ku Klux disguise, 105
Burgess, J.W., "Reconstruction and the Constitution," cited, 113
C.
Carbonari, 25
Carpetbag and negro legislators pass "Force Laws", 113
Carpetbag rule a cause of the Ku Klux Movement,. 29, 31, 32, 35
Carter, Dr. Benjamin, a member, 61
Cartoon from the "Independent Monitor," 42, 192;
from the "Loil Legislature", 43, 113
Causes of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 28, 31, 50, 75-81
(See also Ku Klux Klan.)
Centaurs, Grand Council of, 144
"Century Magazine," cited, 53, 84
Certificate of Laps D. McCord, 38
"Cincinnati Commercial," prints the Randolph cartoons, 43, 192
"Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," by W.L. Fleming,
cited, 49, 79, 113
Character and objects of Ku Klux Klan, 155
Clanton, Gen. James H., 33
Cloud, Dr. N.B., driven from Tuscaloosa by the Klan, 42;
see cartoon facing page, 192
Colquitt, Gen. A.H. Colquitt, a member, 27
Conditions in the South, 75, 76
Confederates disfranchised, 88
Confreries, 25
Congress investigates Ku Klux Klan, 27, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131;
passes "Force Laws", 113
Constitutions, see Prescript.
Constitutional Union Guards, 18
Convention of Ku Klux Klan, 36, 37, 84, 133
Coon and Sibley, carpetbaggers, cartoon of, 43, and facing, 113
Costumes worn in the Klan, 43, 58, 59, 97
Council of Centaurs, 144; of Yahoos, 144
Cox, S.S., "Three Decades," quotation from. 11
Crawford, F.M., a member, 21
Creed of the Klan, 136, 154
Crowe, Major James R., one of the founders of the Klan, 19;
first Grand Turk, 21;
statement in regard to origin of the Pulaski Den, 22;
one of committee to prepare a constitution and a ritual, 54
Cutler, "Lynch Law," cited, 15
Cyclops, Grand, an official of the Klan, 57;
ruler of a Den, 86;
duties, 140, 161;
election of, 143;
appointment of, 160;
in a local order, 179
Cypher Code, 148, 176
(See also Register.)
D.
Decline of the Klan, 100-127;
causes of, 103
Dedication of Prescript, 150, 176
Den, the lowest division of the Order, 85, 136, 157;
at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19-21, 53
Disbandment of the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130
Divisions of the Invisible Empire of Ku Klux Klan, 156
"Documents Relating to Reconstruction," cited, 18, 79
Dominions or Congressional Districts, 85, 136, 156
Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon, 147
Dragon, Grand, ruler of a Realm, 86;
duties, 138, 158;
how elected, 143;
appointed, 157
Duties of officials, 136-143, 157-165
E.
Edicts, or By-laws of the Order, 148, 174
Empire, The, 136, 156
Ensign, Grand, duties, 143
Ensign or banner of the Ku Klux Klan, 147
Exchequer, Grand, or treasurer, 57, 86;
duties, 142, 163;
how elected, 143;
appointed, 157-161
Expansion of the Klan's territory, 68-82, 156
Expulsion of members, 149, 174
F.
Fleming, W.L., "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama,"
cited, 49, 79, 113
Flying Dragon, 147
"Force Laws," effect on Klan, 125, 126
Forrest, Gen. Nathan Bedford, Grand Wizard, 26, 27, 28;
testimony before Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 28-30, 80;
his estimate of the number of members, 95;
his opinion of the character of members, 65;
belongs to the order of Pale Faces, 30;
disbands the Klan, 27, 52, 112, 128-130
Founders of the Klan, 19
Furies, the staff of the Grand Titan, 86, 136, 156, 159, 164
Fussell, Col. Joseph, a member, 27
G.
Garner, J.W., "Reconstruction in Mississippi," cited, 49
Garrett, Dr. W.R., makes plates used on pages 153-176 40
Genii, the staff of the Grand Wizard, 85, 136, 155, 157 164
Georgia, candidates in Georgia, 31
Ghouls, private members, 136, 156;
elect officials 143, 165
Giant, Grand, ruler of a Province, duties, 139, 160;
how elected, 143;
appointed 159
Giles County, Tennessee 50
Goblins, 136, 156, 160, 164
Gordon, Gen. John B., 26, 27, 33;
testimony before the Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 30-33, 80, 105
Grand Army of the Republic 171
Grant, Gen. U.S., magnanimity of, 33
H.
Hanging picture, cartoon by Ryland Randolph, 42, 192;
republished in the North 192
Hardee, Gen. W.J., a member, 26
"Histoire Generale," by Lavisse & Rambaud, cited 25
Huntsville, Alabama, parade of Klan in, 44
Hydras, the staff of the Grand Dragon, 86, 136, 156, 158 164
I.
"Independent Monitor," cited 26, 41, 192
Initiations into the Pulaski Den, 60, 63, 64
Interrogations to be asked candidates for admission, 171
Investigation of Ku Klux Klan, by Congress, 26, 28, 30, 47, 48, 49, 131;
by Alabama, 43
Invisible Circle 198
Invisible Empire, 47, 85, 101
J.
Jones, Calvin, one of the founders, 20, 21;
on committee to choose a name for the order, 53;
Charles P., a member, 21;
Miss Cora R., daughter of Charles P., and niece of Calvin, article
in "Advance," cited, 61, 92;
Judge Thomas M., father of Calvin and Charles P., 20, 53
Judiciary of the Klan, 27, 144, 166
K.
Kennedy, John, one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 21;
on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54
Kirk, John H., aided in printing the Prescript, 38
Klephts, 25
Knights of the White Camelia, 18, 23
Ku Klux Committee of Congress, 27
Ku Klux Klan, causes of, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 47-67, 75-81;
founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, 19, 21, 51, 53;
headquarters at Pulaski, 51;
initiations at Pulaski, 61-64;
original object, 59;
selection of name, 22, 53, 55;
costumes worn, 43, 58, 59, 97;
expansion, 68-82;
transformation, 71, 83-99;
reorganized, 84-99;
territorial extent, 23, 24, 85, 136, 156;
Prescripts, 37, 39, 133-150, 151-176;
officers and their duties, 85-86, 136;
oaths and obligations, 171, 172, 197, 198;
parades, 44, 91;
character and objects, 28, 31, 109-111, 155, 171-172;
creed, 136, 154;
declaration of principles, 87;
edicts, 148, 174;
admission of members, 147, 170;
character and conduct of members, 30, 34, 101, 102;
numbers, 30, 95;
secrets, 48, 148, 174;
revenue, 145, 168;
judiciary, 27, 144, 166;
convention at Nashville, 36, 37;
methods, 71-75, 91, 96-99, 183-196;
orders and warnings, 40, 130, 187-198;
disciplines its members, 106; outrages, 131;
decline and disbandment, 35, 100-127, 128-130;
regalia destroyed, 129;
investigation by Congress, 27, 28, 30, 43, 47, 48, 49, 131;
effect of "force laws;" popular idea of the Klan, 49;
results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35, 73, 80, 81;
other secret orders, 18
Ku Klux Klan, Lester and Wilson's History of, 15-19, 35, 37, 47
Ku Klux Movement, 25
Ku Klux Report, cited, 18, 27, 28, 33, 49, 52, 65, 80, 196, 197, 198
L.
Lakin, Rev. A.S., president of University of Alabama, driven away by
the Klan, 42;
see cartoon, 192
Lavisse and Rambaud, "Histoire Generale," cited, 25
Lawton, Gen. A.R., a member, 27
Lester, Capt. J. C, one of the founders of the Klan and one of the
authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan, 15, 16, 17, 19;
on committee to prepare constitution and ritual, 54
Lictor, an official title, 57
"Loil Legislature," by Capt. B.H. Screws, cartoon from, 43, 113
"Lower South," by W.G. Brown, cited, 18
Loyal League, 79, 125, 171
(See also Union League.)
"Loyalty," meaning of, 125
"Lynch Law," by Cutler, cited, 15
M.
McCallum, James, a member, 21
McCoy, Capt. Thomas, a member, 21
McCord, Frank O., one of the founders of the Klan, 20, 37;
first Grand Cyclops, 21;
Laps D., prints the Prescripts, 38;
L.W., editor of the "Pulaski Citizen," a Ku Klux newspaper, 38
McKissick, Alex., a member, 21
Magi, Grand, 57;
duties, 141, 162;
how elected, 143, 165
Martial law proclaimed in Tennessee, 128
Masonic order, 25
Members, admission of, 102, 147, 170;
expulsion, 149, 174;
none ever arrested, 106
Methods employed by the Klan, 91, 96, 97, 187-196
Militia law of Tennessee, 124
Mississippi, Klan extends to, 70;
costumes worn in, 43, 58
Minnis, J.A., testimony, 80
Mitchell, Capt. Robert, a member, 21
Monk, Grand, 86;
duties, 141, 163;
how elected, 143, 165
"Montgomery Mail," cited, 189
Moore, John A., a member, 21
Morton, Capt. John W., a member, 21, 26;
initiates General Forrest, 27
Motto, on ensign, 147
N.
Name of the order, selection of, 53, 55;
influence of name on the career of the order, 55, 56, 136, 154
Nashville Convention of the Klan, 84, 89;
adopts Prescript, 33
Nashville Den drowns a detective, 67
Negro equality, Klan opposed to, 171
Negro members of the Klan, 26
Negro troops, conduct of, 32
Negroes, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 31, 32;
conduct of, 77;
frightened by Klan, 97-99
Nelson, J.L., a member, 21
Newspapers forbidden to print Ku Klux notices, 41, 130
Night Hawks, the staff of a Cyclops, 86, 136, 156, 161, 164
Nihilists, 25
North Carolina, a local order in, 177-186
Number of members, 30, 95
O.
Oaths and obligations, 146, 147, 171, 172, 197, 198
Officials of the Klan, duties, 85, 86;
how elected, 143, 165
Order issued by the Grand Dragon of Tennessee, 109-111
Orders and warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 41, 187-196
Origin of Ku Klux Klan, 47-67
Outrages attributed to the Klan, 105
P.
Pale Faces, 18;
Gen. Forrest a member of, 30
Parades of the Klan, 44, 91-95
Pearcy, Capt. J.L., a member, 21;
owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40
Penalty for betrayal of secrets, 149, 176
Pettus, Gen. Edmund W, 33, 80
Pike, Gen. Albert, chief judicial officer, 27
Principles of the Klan, 87, 88, 171, 182
Province, or county, 85, 136, 156
Pulaski, Tennessee, description of, 50;
conditions in 1865, 52;
Ku Klux Klan founded there, 16, 53;
Ku Klux parade, 91-95
Pulaski Den, origin and membership, 19-21, 53, 57, 61
Prescripts, 16, 30, 36, 87, 88;
original, adopted at Nashville Convention, 37, 40, 133-150;
Revised and Amended, 37, 38, 40, 151-176;
an imperfect copy used by a local order, 39, 177-186;
sold by Grand Wizard, 137, 145, 157, 169;
dedication, 150, 176;
Amendment, 147, 173;
Register, 148, 176
Purpose of the original Den, 22
Q.
Quotations, poetical, in original Prescript, 135;
Latin, in the Prescripts, _passim_, 133-176
R.
Radical Republican party, 171
Radicals in Ku Klux disguise, 105
Randolph, Ryland, 26, 40;
quoted, 99, 104;
author of orders and warnings, 41, 190-192;
publishes cartoon of Coon and Sibley, 43, 113
Realm, or state, 85, 136, 156
Reconstruction Acts, 71, 84
"Reconstruction of the Constitution," by J.W. Burgess, cited, 113
"Reconstruction in Mississippi," by J.W. Garner, cited, 49
Reed, Richard R., one of the founders, 20, 21;
on committee to choose a name for the order, 53
Regalia and records of Klan destroyed, 129
Register of the Prescript, 41, 148, 176
Regulators, 71, 73, 106
Results of the Ku Klux Movement, 35
Revenue of the Klan, 145, 168
Revised and Amended Prescript, 38, 151-176
Ritual of Pulaski Den, 54, 57
Rose, W.H., a member, 21
S.
Saunders, "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96
Scotch-Irish descent of the members of the Klan, 21, 23
Screws, Capt. B.H., "Loil Legislature," cartoon from, 43, 113
Scribe, of a local order, 179
Scribe, Grand, 86;
duties, 142, 164
Secrets of the Klan, 148, 174;
penalty for betrayal of, 149, 176
Sentinel, Grand, 86;
duties, 143, 164
Shapard, I.L. and Robt., members, 21, 38
Sibley and Coon, carpetbaggers, 43, 113
South Carolina, local order in, 177-186;
warnings sent by Klan in, 193-196
Southern Society of New York, owns a Revised and Amended Prescript, 40
Spofford, Judge H.M., residence used by Klan 54
Staff officers, 86, 164
State Guards of Tennessee, 123
Stubbs, Mrs. Elizabeth, in "Early Settlers of Alabama," quoted, 96
T.
Taxes levied in Klan, 145, 169
Tennessee, conditions in, 17, 29;
the Klan in 51, 70, 95;
Confederates disfranchised, 88;
State Guards, 123; Militia law, 124;
order of a Grand Dragon, 109-111;
Anti-Ku Klux law, 113-123
Term of office, 144, 165
Texas, Klan extends to, 70
"Three Decades," by S.S. Cox, quoted, 11
Titan, Grand, ruler of a Dominion, 86;
duties, 138, 159;
how elected, 143;
appointed, 158
Titles of officials, 136, 155
Tories, 24, 77
Tourgee, "Invisible Empire," cited, 18
Transformation of the Klan, 71, 83-99
Tribunal of Justice, 166
Tugenbund, 25
Turk, Grand, 57, 86;
duties, 142, 163;
office first held by Major J.R. Crowe, 21
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Klan at, 42
U.
"Understanding of Appomattox," violated, 34
Union League, a cause of the Ku Klux Movement, 24, 29, 31, 79-81, 125
Unionists, 24, 26, 77
University of Alabama, 42
V.
Vehmgericht, 25
Voorheis, Milton, a member, 21
W.
Warnings sent by the Klan, 40, 43, 196
"Washington Post," cited, 67, 95
Waters, Dr. M.S., a member, 21
Webster's "Unabridged Pictorial," cited, 147
"Weekly Union Times," cited, 193, 194, 196
White Brotherhood, 18
White Camelia, 18
White League, 18
"White Man's Government", 171
Wilson, Rev. D.L., one of the authors of the History of Ku Klux Klan
15, 16, 17, 19;
article in "Century Magazine" cited, 53, 84
Wizard, Grand, 85;
duties, 136, 157;
how elected, 143, 165, 166;
term of office, 144, 165;
disbands the Klan, 128-130
Y.
Yahoos, Grand Council of, 144
"Yorkville Enquirer," cited, 195
Young Italy, 25
* * * * *
Compiled versions of Appendix I and Appendix II
* * * * *
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.
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.
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
Hydras; 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 designated and known as
"Ghouls."
DIVISIONS.
ART. III. This * shall be divided into five departments, 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 Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition, strength,
efficiency and progress of the *s within their respective Realms. And
he shall communicate 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 duty 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
numerals, 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 organization and establishment of subordinate
*s. And he shall have the further power to appoint his Genii; 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 establishment of the *
throughout his Empire. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct
Deputies, 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 providded.
And when a question of paramount importance 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.
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 other
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 Dominions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals,
1, 2, 3, &c, _ad finem_. He shall instruct his Grand Exchequer as to
the appropriation and disbursement 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 Exchequer for his Department, and to appoint
and ordain Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the more
rapid and effectual dissemination and establishment of the *
throughout his Realm. He is further empowered to appoint and instruct
Deputies 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 of his Dominion, all information or intelligence
conveyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that purpose, 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 different 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 Titans 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 control Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand
Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provided.
GRAND GIANT.
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant, who is the Chief
Officer of the Province, to supervise and administer general and
special instruction 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 *
throughout his Province, and to transmit, through the Grand Cyclops,
to the subordinate *s of his Province, all information or intelligence
conveyed to him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such other
information and instruction as he may think 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 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,
&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 department, and to appoint and ordain Special Deputy
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 obtained before the formation of a *
begins. It shall further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings
of his * and to preside at the same--to appoint irregular 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 worthy come members by
the Investigating Committee. He shall make a quarterly report to the
Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and efficiency of the * of his
Den, and shall convey to the Ghouls of his Den, all information or
intelligence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that purpose, and
all other such information or instruction as he may think will conduce
to the interests and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and conduct
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 direct 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 member by fine, and may reprimand him for
the same: And he may admonish and reprimand the * of his Den for any
imprudence, irregularity or transgression, 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 conduct the meetings
in the Den, and shall exercise all the powers and authority conferred
upon the Grand Cyclops.
GRAND EXCHEQUER.
Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exchequers 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 appropriation
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 candidate 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 executive 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 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 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 direction
of the Grand Cyclops.
GRAND SENTINEL.
Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sentinel 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 Dominions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces,
shall be elected biennially, and in the following manner, 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 Giant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Province.
The first election for Grand Dragon may take place as soon as three
Dominions have been organized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections
shall be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, throughout the Realm,
and biennially as aforesaid.
The first election for Grand Titan may take place 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 created, 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 before 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 Tribunal for the trial of the Grand Wizard,
shall be composed 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.
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 appointed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den,
presided over and sworn by him to give the accused 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,
integrity and fair-mindedness, and shall render their verdict without
prejudice or partiality.
REVENUE.
ART. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall be derived as follows:
For every copy of this Prescript 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 Giant; 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 Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the
Grand Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.
Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions shall be ten per
cent. of all the revenue of Provinces, and a tax upon Provinces when
the Grand Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable.
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, whenever the Grand Cyclops shall deem
such tax indispensable to the interests and purposes of the *.
Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the manner herein aforesaid,
shall be for the exclusive benefit 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 whatever, 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 administered 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 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
investigate his antecedents and his past and present standing and
connections, and if after such investigation, they pronounce him
competent and worthy to become a member, he may be admitted upon
taking the obligation required and passing through the ceremonies of
initiation. _Provided_, That no one shall be admitted into this * who
shall have not attained the age of eighteen years.
Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a distant * 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[55a] with the following motto inscribed
above the Dragon,
"QUOD SEMPER, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD AB OMNIBUS.[56a]"
AMENDMENTS.
ART. XI. 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 majority of the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the
Grand Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said Convention;
which, when assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and
amendments as it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the
utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purposes 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 intoxicating 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 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, regalia or
insignia of the * or in any way claim to be a member of the same, he
shall be severely punished. 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 personal perusal.
V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand Banner of the *.
VI. The *s of Dens may make such additional 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 provisions or
Edicts of this Prescript.
VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, concerning 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 extreme 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.
L' ENVOI.
To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Justice, we send greeting;
and to the shades of the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate
the * *
FOOTNOTES:
[55a] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial.
[56a] "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 (?)
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 * * *, reverentially 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 Government, the supremacy of the Constitution, 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 especially the widows and orphans of
Confederate soldiers.
Second: To protect and defend the Constitution 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, and his
eight Hydras; 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
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, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and
Tennessee; all combined 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 Dominion, and to be
coterminous with such counties 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 coterminous with the several counties;
_provided_, the Grand Titan may, when he deems it necessary, assign
two Grand Giants to one Province, prescribing, at the same time, the
jurisdiction of 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
dissemination of the Order; and when a question of paramount
importance to the interests or prosperity 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 amendment 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 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 appropriation 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 condition, 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, intelligence,
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 Order. 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 Dominion
of his Realm with the Arabic 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 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 approval 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 transmit through the Grand Giant, or other authorized
channels, to the Order, all information, intelligence, 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 number the Provinces of his Dominion with the
Arabic 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
Cyclops for each Den of his Province, such ap-pointments, however,
being subject to the approval 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 administer general and special
instructions in the organization 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 caption 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 Exchequer as to
the appropriation and disbursement 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 Sentinel. 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, irregularity,
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
conformity 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 further be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of his Den,
and to preside at the same; to appoint irregular meetings when he
deems it expedient; to preserve order and enforce discipline in his
Den; to impose fines for irregularities or disobedience of orders; and
to receive and initiate candidates for admission into the Order, after
the same shall have been pronounced competent and worthy to become
members, by the Investigating Committee herein after provided for. And
it shall further be his duty to make a quarterly 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 Giant 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.
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 preside 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 Exchequers 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 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 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 appointed by the Grand
Cyclops, and to obey and execute all the orders of that officer in the
control and government of his Den. It shall further be his duty to
receive and question at the outposts, all candidates for admission
into the Order, and shall _there_ administer the preliminary
obligation required, and then to conduct such candidate 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,
REMOVAL.
SEC. 13. For any just, reasonable and substantial 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 Commissioners 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 subsequent elections to take place every
year thereafter.
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
perform 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 happening 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 Convention 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 vacancy in any other
office, the same shall immediately be filled in the manner herein
before mentioned.
SEC. 4. The Officers heretofore elected or appointed 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-quarters 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
attaches 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
attaches 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 Grand Wizard;
which Tribunal shall be organized 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
penalty, and the Officers convening the Court shall cause the same to
be executed. _Provided_ the accused 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, proceedings, and judgments by the rules and
regulations 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 Prescript 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 indispensable to levy the
same.
SEC. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms shall be ten per cent.
of all the revenue of Dominions, and a tax upon Dominions when the
Grand Dragon shall deem it necessary and indispensable to levy the
same.
SEC. 4. A further source of revenue to Dominions 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 Provinces 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 indispensable.
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 tax necessary and indispensable to the interests and objects of
the Order.
SEC. 7. All the revenue obtained in the manner 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 become necessary to make to accomplish the
objects of the Order and to secure the protection of the same.
ARTICLE VII.
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 1. No one shall be presented for admission into the Order
until he shall have first 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 have investigated his antecedents and his past and
present standing and connections; 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 following oaths or obligations, and shall
_satisfactorily_ answer the following interrogatories, while kneeling,
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 interrogatories as may be
put to me touching my competency for admission into the same. So help
me God."
INTERROGATORIES TO BE ASKED:
1st. Have you ever been rejected, upon application 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 Republic?".
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 government in this country?
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 Constitutional rights of the
South?
9th. Are you in favor of the re-enfranchisement 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 exercise of arbitrary and unlicensed power?
If the foregoing interrogatories are satisfactorily answered, and the
candidate desires to go further (after something of the character and
nature 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 solemnly swear or affirm, that I will never reveal to
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 explain to the new members
the character and objects of the Order, and introduce him to the
mysteries 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
majority of the Grand Dragons for that purpose, the Grand Wizard shall
call and appoint the time and place for said convention; which, when
assembled, shall proceed to make such modifications and amendments as
it may think will promote the interest, enlarge the utility, and more
thoroughly effectuate the purposes of the Order.
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 operation 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 appearance 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 Order, or in any way claim to be a member of the same,
he shall be severely punished. 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.
5. Upon the expulsion of any member from the Order, the Grand Cyclops,
or the officer acting 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 provisions or Edicts
of this Prescript.
9. The most profound and rigid secrecy concerning 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, bethink 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 justice, we send greeting;
and to the shades of the venerated dead we affectionately dedicate the
Order of the * * *
_Resurgamus._
* * * * *