"And those who have deliberately maligned and slandered us are going to wake some day to a very unpleasant situation. We are keeping records and making plans. The day of our activity has not arrived." This intemperate language of Simmons was even exceeded at a meeting held on the night of August 25, 1921, in Philadelphia, which was reported in a press telegram as follows: "A narrow pathway leading to a woodland glade, and every fifty feet a masked and white-robed sentinel. Within the little clearing an altar, and beside it the banner of the nation with the night wind rustling through the folds. Formed in hollow square around the glade rank on rank of masked spectres. A deep voice echoing through the darkness. "'Imperial One, the men who seek admission to our legions stand prepared!' "Line after line the candidates marched in, led by a gigantic masker who bore high overhead the Fiery Cross. The candidates marched before the scrutinizing ranks of silent Klansmen. Then every man--veteran Klansmen and new-made members--bowed before the American flag and through the night boomed out the watchword of the order: "'All men in America must honor that flag--if we must make them honor it on their knees!' "Then, in a blaze of sudden light, the Grand Goblin of the Realm, a towering form in white and scarlet uniform, appeared at the north end of the glade. Cheers received him. His speech was brief. "'America for real Americans!' he cried. 'Guardianship against the alien, the anarchist and all who would subvert that banner, be they white, or black or yellow!' the voice thundered through the ranks. 'The Ku Klux are misrepresented and vilified. Americans do not realize that they sleep on a red volcano's edge. They sleep; they let petty politicians hold the helm; they make no preparations for the perils yet to come. The enemies of true American principles are myriad. They are organized; they plot; they scheme--they go unchallenged and unhindered. "'It is the place of the Ku Klux Klan to rouse the spirit of the real American and to stand guard against the evil forces that seek to stifle this mightiest of nations. Be the foes white, black or yellow; be they native traitors or alien invaders, the Klan shall form a ring of steel to throttle their every devil's scheme. We, the Ku Klux Klan; we, the Invisible Empire, rally to aid the faltering hands of our law--and to protect our homes, our lives, our people and our nation's future against a wave of living hell!'" CHAPTER V PROPAGATION NEWS-LETTERS