The oath is printed separately from the ritual, and the name "Ku Klux
Klan" does not appear in it. In places where the name is spoken there are
asterisks. The document consists of three printed pages bound together,
and, for the convenience of the person administering it, is broken up into
phrases separated by dashes. I am giving it here properly punctuated so
that the reader can more easily grasp its significance. It is supposed to
be administered in sections, sandwiched in between the verbose and
long-winded effusions of "Emperor" Simmons as contained in the ritual.
When the work is conferred by a full-degree team, it is given in "long
form" and the procedure follows the order laid down in the ritual. Most of
the Kleagles, however, put on the ceremony of "naturalization" alone,
using the short form, in which case the oath is administered all at once.
In the present mad scramble for commissions on the "donations," the
Kleagles administer the obligation at any time and place that suits the
convenience of the "alien" with the ten dollars, and Ku Kluxes are
manufactured on the "pay-as-you-enter" style in stores, factories, banks,
physicians' offices and any other place where there is freedom from
intrusion. One enthusiastic Kleagle wrote to the home office that he had
arisen from his bed one night after midnight, and clad in his pajamas had
administered the obligation to a "worthy alien," whose ten dollars burned
so badly in his pocket that he could not wait until daylight to be
separated from his money.
The obligation, consisting of four sections, reads as follows:
"SECTION 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 Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 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 Imperial Wizard thereof. I
will yield prompt response to all summonses, I having knowledge of
same, Providence alone preventing.
"SECTION 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 Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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