The Nation's Peril.: Twelve Years' Experience in the South. Then and Now. The Ku Klux Klan, a Complete Exposition of the Order: Its Purpose, Plans, Operations, Social and Political Significance; The Nation's Salvation.Anonymous
History
The Nation's Peril.: Twelve Years' Experience in the South. Then and Now. The Ku Klux Klan, a Complete Exposition of the Order: Its Purpose, Plans, Operations, Social and Political Significance; The Nation's Salvation.
Anonymous
Campaign literature, 1872 -- Republican; Ku Klux Klan (19th century)
By this peculiar system of organization the moving spirits of the Order
are conversant with all that transpires below them, while their own
identity is carefully concealed from the masses whom they design to move
for their own vile purposes. The objects of the Order are somewhat
covertly set forth in the oaths administered to the members, but previous
to this time the grand designs intended to be accomplished were known only
to the members of the Supreme Grand Council. The initiation is comprised
in two degrees, the first or probationary degree being intended to test
the members, and the second or supreme degree for those of the first who
have been found worthy of advancement. The signs, grips, &c., are the same
in both degrees, with the exception of one test word, and a supplementary
ritual hereafter to be explained.
ORDER OF INITIATION.
FIRST, OR PROBATIONARY DEGREE.
The first or probationary degree of the Order is intended for the masses.
The candidate for initiation is selected, so far as possible, with
reference to his political proclivities, if he has any. He must be known
to the member proposing him to be opposed to the Radical party; to be or
to have been in sympathy with the cause of the rebellion; to be opposed to
the elevation of the negro to a social and political equality with the
whites; and to have a hatred of negro worshipers, carpet-baggers, and
scallawags, as those terms are interpreted in the Order.
These points being satisfactorily settled, he is notified to proceed to a
secluded place on a designated night. There he is met by three Conductors,
who blindfold and lead him to the vicinity of the Camp, which, in order
the more effectually to guard against surprise, rarely assembles twice in
the same place. On the way he and his Conductors are encountered by a
guard or sentinel, who challenges the party with:
"Who comes here?"
His Conductors reply: "A friend."
The guard asks: "A friend to what?"
He is answered: "My country."
The candidate is then allowed to pass into the Camp, and is conducted to
the center of the assembled members, when the following oath is
administered to him by the Commander:
INITIATORY OATH.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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