OATH OF KU KLUX KLAN
_Those who join the order must pledge blind allegiance to
Constitution. They do not see._
Blind and unconditional obedience to the "constitution, laws,
regulations usages and requirements" of the Ku Klux Klan, even to the
extent of indorsing the principle of secret mob violence, is accepted
by every person who takes the oath of Grand Wizard Simmons' Invisible
Empire.
That every Klansman, under penalty of death, also agrees to carry out
the mandates, degrees, edicts, rulings and "instructions" of Emperor
Simmons also is shown in a reproduction of the oath as supplied by
Klan organizers and officials.
The first section of this oath that carries veiled hints of violence
to back it binds the members to unconditional obedience to a
constitution he has never seen. Not only that but it binds him to obey
any laws that may be enacted in the future, whether or not he approves
of them. When he takes this obligation he gives a lease on his life to
Simmons.
SWEARS TO ABSOLUTE SECRECY
Absolute secrecy even in the face of death is his second obligation
and he promises that he "will pay promptly all just and legal demands
made upon me to defray the expenses of my Klan when same are due or
called for."
Then, with his left hand over his heart and his right hand raised to
heaven and with the promise that "this oath I will seal with my
blood," the candidate takes oath that he "will most zealously and
valiantly shield and preserve by any and all JUSTIFIABLE means and
methods (not legal means and methods) the sacred constitutional rights
and privileges of free public schools, free speech, free press,
separation of church and state, liberty, white supremacy, just laws
and the pursuit of happiness, against any encroachment of any nature
by any person or persons, political party or parties, religious sect
or people, native, naturalized or foreign, of any race, color, creed,
lineage or tongue whatsoever."
MYSTERY IN AUTHORITY
Who defines the permissible limits of zeal and valor is not stated.
Neither is it stated who decides when schools are free, speech and
press free, nor when church and state are sufficiently separated. It
is not stated whether it is the individual Klansman, the local Klan,
the supreme council or the Imperial Wizard.
It has been revealed, however, that this phase of the Klan movement
has been much fathered by the sales crew selling subscriptions at $10
each under the direction of Wizard Simmons and Imperial Kleagle
Clarke.
The exact text of the oath of allegiance administered to new members
of the Ku Klux Klan is given herewith. The asterisks are printed to
take place of the Ku Klux Klan and also the officers of the order.
These places are left blank in the printed oath because it is carried
by Klan officials and might be lost, revealing their secret.
The oath:
You will place your left hand over your heart and raise your right
hand to heaven.
SEC. I.--OBEDIENCE
(You will say) "I" ---- (Pronounce your full name ---- and repeat
after me) "In the presence of God and Man ---- most solemnly pledge,
promise and swear ---- unconditionally ---- that I will faithfully
obey ---- the constitution and laws ---- and will willingly conform to
---- all regulations, usages and requirements ---- of the * * * * ----
which do now exist ---- or which may be hereafter enacted ---- and
will render at all times ---- loyal respect and steadfast support ----
to the Imperial Authority of same ---- and will heartily heed ---- all
official mandates ---- decrees ---- edicts ---- rulings and
instructions ---- of the I* W* thereof. ---- I will yield prompt
response ---- to all summonses ---- I having knowledge of same ----
Providence alone preventing.
SEC. II.--SECRECY
"I most solemnly swear ---- that I will forever ---- keep sacredly
secret ---- the signs, words and grip ---- and any and all other ----
matters and knowledge ---- of the * * * * ---- regarding which a most
rigid secrecy ---- must be maintained ---- which may at any time ----
be communicated to me ---- and will never divulge same ---- nor even
cause the same to be divulged ---- to any person in the whole world
---- unless I know positively ---- that such person is a member of
this Order ---- in good and regular standing ---- and not even then
---- unless it be ---- for the best interest of this Order.
"I most sacredly vow ---- and most positively swear ---- that I will
not yield to bribe ---- flattery ---- threats ---- passion ----
punishment ---- persecution ---- persuasion ---- nor any enticements
whatever ---- coming from or offered by ---- any person or persons
---- male or female ---- for the purpose of ---- obtaining from me
---- a secret or secret information ---- of the * * * * ---- I will
die rather than divulge same ---- so help me God ----
AMEN!"
You will drop your hands.
GENTLEMEN (or SIR):
You will wait in patience and peace until you are informed of the
decision of the E* C* and his * in klonklave assembled
* * * * *
You will place your left hand over your heart and raise your right
hand to heaven.
SEC. III.--FIDELITY
(You will say) "I" ---- (pronounce your full name ---- and repeat
after me) "Before God ---- and in the presence of ---- these
mysterious *smen ---- on my sacred honor ---- do most solemnly and
sincerely pledge ---- promise and swear ---- that I will diligently
guard and faithfully foster ---- every interest of the * * * * ----
and will maintain ---- its social cast and dignity.
"I swear that I will not recommend ---- any person for membership in
this Order ---- whose mind is unsound ---- or whose reputation I know
to be bad ---- or whose character is doubtful ---- or whose loyalty to
our country ---- is in any way questionable.
"I swear that I will pay promptly ---- all just and legal demands ----
made upon me to defray the expenses ---- of my * and this Order ----
when same are due or called for.
"I swear that I will protect the property ---- of the * * * * ---- of
any nature whatsoever ---- and if any should be intrusted to my
keeping ---- I will properly keep ---- or rightly use same ---- and
will freely and promptly surrender same ---- on official demand ----
or if ever I am banished from ---- or voluntarily discontinue ---- my
membership in this Order.
"I swear that I will most determinedly ---- maintain peace and harmony
---- in all the deliberations ---- of the gatherings or assemblies
---- of the I* E* ---- and of any subordinate jurisdiction ---- or *
thereof.
"I swear that I will most strenuously ---- discourage selfishness ----
and selfish political ambition ---- on the part of myself or any
*sman.
"I swear that I will never allow ---- personal friendship ---- blood
or family relationship ---- nor personal ---- political ---- or
professional prejudice ---- malice nor ill-will ---- to influence me
in casting my vote ---- for the election or rejection ---- of an
applicant ---- for membership in this Order ---- God being my helper
----
AMEN!"
You will drop your hands.
* * * * *
You will place your left hand over your heart and raise your right
hand to heaven.
SEC. IV.--*ISHNESS
(You will say) "I" ---- (Pronounce your full name ---- and repeat
after me) "Most solemnly pledge, promise and swear ---- that I will
never slander ---- defraud ---- receive ---- or in any manner wrong
---- the * * * * ---- a *sman ---- nor a *sman's family ---- nor will
I suffer the same to be done ---- if I can prevent it.
"I swear that I will be faithful ---- in defending and protecting ----
the home ---- reputation ---- and physical and business interest ----
of a *sman ---- and that of a *sman's family.
"I swear that I will at any time ---- without hesitating ---- go to
the assistance or rescue ---- of a *sman in any way ---- at his call I
will answer ---- I will be truly *ish toward *smen ---- in all things
honorable.
"I swear that I will not allow ---- any animosity ---- friction nor
ill-will ---- to arise and remain ---- between myself and a *sman ----
but will be constant in my efforts ---- to promote real *ishness ----
among the members of this Order.
"I swear that I will keep secure to myself ---- a secret of a *sman
---- when same is committed to me ---- in the sacred bond of *smanship
---- the crime of violating THIS solemn oath ---- treason against the
United States of America ---- rape ---- and malicious murder ----
alone excepted.
"I most solemnly assert and affirm ---- that to the Government of the
United States of America ---- and any State thereof ---- of which I
may become a resident ---- I sacredly swear ---- an unqualified
allegiance ---- above any other and every kind of government ---- in
the whole world ---- I here and now ---- pledge my life ---- my
property ---- my vote ---- and my sacred honor ---- to uphold its flag
---- its Constitution ---- and Constitutional laws ---- and will
protect ---- defend ---- and enforce same unto death.
"I swear that I will most zealously ---- and valiantly ---- shield and
preserve ---- by any and all ---- justifiable means and methods ----
the sacred constitutional rights ---- and privileges of ---- free
public schools ---- free speech ---- free press ---- separation of
church and state ---- liberty ---- white supremacy ---- just laws ----
and the pursuit of happiness ---- against any encroachment ---- of any
nature ---- by any person or persons ---- political party or parties
---- religious sect or people ---- native, naturalized or foreign ----
of any race ---- color ---- creed ---- lineage or tongue whatsoever.
"All to which I have sworn by THIS oath ---- I will seal with my blood
---- be Thou my witness ---- Almighty God ---- AMEN!"
You will drop your hands.
OLD PLEDGE OF LOYALTY
APPELLATION
This Organization shall be styled and denominated, The Order of
the (then follows three stars; no other name given).
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.
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 object being,
First: To protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenseless,
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.
Note the vast difference between this and the following page.
One, the pledge to all that is right and uplifting--the other to
a single autocrat. The above was formed for the protection and
enforcement of law--the Kleagle's pledge, merely a vow to do
anything that the Imperial Wizard Simmons might see fit.
MODERN KLEAGLE'S PLEDGE OF LOYALTY
I, the undersigned, in order to be a regular appointed KlEagle
of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
(Incorporated), do freely and voluntarily promise, pledge and
fully guarantee a lofty respect, whole-hearted loyalty and an
unwavering devotion at all times and under any and all
circumstances and conditions from this day and date forward to
William Joseph Simmons as Imperial Wizard and Emperor of the
Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (Incorporated). I
shall work in all respects in perfect harmony with him and under
his authority and directions, in all his plans for the extension
and government of the Society, and under his directions, with
any and all of my officially superior officers duly appointed by
him.
I shall at any and all times be faithful and true in all things,
and most especially in preventing and suppressing any factions,
cisms or conspiracies against him or his plans and purposes or
the peace and harmony of the Society which may arise or attempt
to arise. I shall discourage and strenuously oppose any degree
of disloyalty or disrespect on the part of myself or any
klansman, any where and at any time or place, towards him as the
founder and as the supreme chief governing head of the Society
above named.
This pledge, promise and guarantee I make is a condition
precedent to my appointment stated above, and the continuity of
my appointment as a KlEagle, and it is fully agreed that any
deviation by me from this pledge will instantly automatically
cancel and completely void my appointment together with all its
prerogatives, my membership in the Society, and I shall forfeit
all remunerations which may be then due me.
I make this solemn pledge on my Oath of Allegiance and on my
integrity and honor as a man and as a klansman, with serious
purpose to keep same inviolate.
Done in the city of ...................., State of
........................... on this the ..........
day of .................... A.D. 19...
Signed ..............................
Address .............................
Witness: .........................................
Address ..........................................
This is the oath taken by Kleagles in the Ku Klux Klan. It binds
the Kleagle to "Imperial Wizard" Simmons personally in an almost
slavish fashion. The oath is taken as a pledge of loyalty to
Simmons and not to the order.