In the year 1915 another "Emperor"--this time an American--conceived a scheme, which, instead of reversing time merely for one hundred years, would take the nation back to the days of German mediævalism--back to the _Vehmgericht_, the secret tribunal and the days of irresponsible government clandestinely administered. This monstrosity, conceived in a brain that must have been either inanely visionary or superlatively cunning, has been let loose in the land, where for the past twelve months, it has been vigorously propagated by a highly organized, highly industrious, and highly paid force of experienced and trained propagandists. Its appeal is to group hatred and group prejudice; its organization, which is strictly secret, has, in some of its units, already followed the methods of the _Vehmgericht_; the title of its "wizard" comes from the "_Wissende_" or initiated of the German brotherhood; its structure is military; its aims are political; and, openly calling itself the "Invisible Empire," it is an autocracy in government, ruled by an "Emperor" who has placed himself on the throne for life. It was my privilege to have been a member--one of the "_Wissende_"--in this secret movement, which is legally known as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan; and I had the opportunity of investigating it from the inside, observing its direful potentialities. When I became thorough acquainted with the thing, I withdrew from it, as I felt that it was dangerous, vicious and absolutely out of place in the American Republic. I therefore decided to expose it, and to make the "Invisible Empire" visible to the people of the United States. To accomplish this desired end, I turned over to the _New York World_ all of the information I possessed; and that great newspaper, after three months of nation-wide investigation, told the people the truth about Ku Kluxism, and the "Invisible Empire." Supplementary to the work of the _New York World_, I offer this book, which consists largely of articles written as an investigator for that newspaper, many of which were used as a basis for its investigations. To the _World_ belongs all the credit for this exposure and investigation, and when the American people fully understand and thoroughly realize what Ku Kluxism means, they will, of course, feel obligated to the _World_ for its work in undertaking and carrying out the task of eliminating this un-American movement from this country. Personally, I wish to express my deep appreciation to Mr. Herbert B. Swope, Executive Editor, Mr. William P. Beazell, Assistant Managing Editor, and Mr. Rowland Thomas, of the _New York World_, both for having taken hold of the matter and so ably handling it, and also for their many acts of courtesy shown to me while the work was in progress. HENRY P. FRY. TABLE OF CONTENTS _Page_ PREFACE iii _Chapter_