Chapter 6

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 régime 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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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-

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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

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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.]

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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-

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[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

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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- tachés 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 attachés 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- tachés 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 attachés 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]

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.

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

Confréries, 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 Générale," 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 Générale," 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 attachés 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 attachés 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 attachés 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 attachés 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._

* * * * *