"Some of the other Klan leaders may have made him think that there was some evidence against Stover and used him as a tool. They have to make a goat of someone," Springer remarked. "Harold King isn't the kind that they make a goat of," said Jackson, "he has a mind of his own." "This is one of the consequences of that detestable Klan. It is causing trouble all over the country. I have repeatedly warned the people of this danger through the columns of the Journal." "Springer, in just what way is the Klan causing trouble?" Jackson asked. "Haven't you been reading in the paper about the riots that have occurred in many places where Klan meetings are held?" "Yes, I have been reading of some attacks being made on Klan meetings and Klan parades. It seems that in every instance the Klan members were assaulted, and that the Klan did nothing to provoke the riots." "Well, it doesn't make any difference who the aggressors were, the Klan is to blame; if they had not been holding meetings and having parades there wouldn't have been any riots and bloodshed. This Klan organization arouses such bitter feeling that the only sane and safe thing is for them to disorganize." "Springer," said Rev. Benton, "if I understand you correctly you take the position that the Klan antagonizes certain groups and for that reason the Klan should disorganize?" "Yes. That is about right. This Klan movement stirs up so much bitterness that its very existence is a menace to the peace and safety of the country. It doesn't make any difference what the principles of the Klan are, it stirs up strife and for that reason has no right to exist." "Springer, I am surprised at you. You, who are supposed to be a leader of thought and a molder of public opinion in the community." It was the Rev. Benton who now addressed Springer. There were by this time forty or fifty men in the crowd and all listened attentively while the minister spoke. "I want you men to see just how reasonable or unreasonable this argument of our friend Springer is. He says that the Klan should be disorganized because it stirs up bitter opposition. If this argument is good then the Christian Church should have been disorganized in the first centuries, as it was bitterly opposed by the pagans and the Roman government. Christians were burned at the stake and made to fight with wild beasts in the arena. The Masonic order should have been abolished in the days of its youth if Springer's argument is good, for certainly the Masonic order stirred up opposition. Then, there have existed various temperance organizations that should have been suppressed because they stirred up bitter opposition from whiskey dealers and manufacturers. According to your argument all of the cats should go out of business because the rats don't like them to guard the pantry."