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