KU KLUX KLAN.

Evening Star, Issue 19839, 12 April 1928, Page 6

KU KLUX KLAN.

Ik the testimony that has been given in the law courts at Pittsburgh regarding the operations of the Ku Klux Klan is substantiated it may be expected that the Government of the United States will take vigorous steps to suppress this organisation. One witness asserted that ho saw members of the Ku Klux Klan burn eight men at the stake. Such a statement is beyond belief, and seems more like an extract from some ghastly record of a dark age. There can bo no doubt, however, that in the past the Klan has been guilty of abominable outrages. This evil association arose out of the war of secession, when its members were sworn to continue active sympathy with Southern principles. It began by inflicting outrages on Southerners and others who had in any way assisted the North. Gradually it extended its operations, and against the negroes particularly it pursued its baleful activities, and its hostility to Roman Catholics, Jews, and others has been marked at intervals. It has carried on under the guise of an exalted patriotism which in reality has 'been nothing more than distorted fanaticism and intolerance. At the same time it has not scrupled to uso its means and opportunities for political purposes. That is one reason of the present publicity. The Klan found that it had been losing its grip. The membership was diminishing,. and interest in its work was languishing. With the coming of tho Presidential election an effort was made to restore it to more active life. In the past it had relied for its strength on the fact that it was a secret society, and that its members worked behind tho cover of the sheet and hood. Realising that this method was lending itself to widespread ridicule, tho Klan recently decided that the disguises should be discarded, and with them should go some of tho weird and secret ceremonies of the order. But the membership roll was still held inviolate, and tho oath and ritual were supposed to remain secret. Tho means thus taken to win popular favor for the Klan appear to have had little success, and many American papers see in the new order a sign of weakness and of the distintogration of the organisation. It is declared that its objectives are entirely put .of keeping with the spirit of tho world to-day, and that if it wishes to make any impression it must strip off its intolerance. As one journal aptly remarks: “The Klan could have existed nowhere on the face of the earth except in America.” At the moment tho effect of tho Klan on the coming national political conventions is exciting interest. Governor Smith is the strongest candidate on the Democratic side lor the Presidential nomination. Ho is a Roman Catholic and an opponent of Prohibition. It is indicated that against him the efforts of the Klan will bo directed, and it is hoped that the campaign will provide a rallying cry that will bring those who have strayed back to the-Klan fold. The belief has been expressed that nine-tenths of the men who have dropped out. even those deeply disgusted with the order, nevertheless remain in sympathy with its principles. At tho Democratic Convention in 1924 it was Governor Smith against tho Klan, and this apparently will be tho position of things this year. Two courses are suggested by Klan advocates. One is to endeavor to prevent the nomination of Governor Smith at the convention. Tho other is to allow him to bo nominated, and then concentrate against him at the election. Sectarian and racial bitterness mark the Klan’s activities down the years, and at moments of great national excitement emotions are easily played upon. The Presidential election is regarded as a providential opportunity, in view of the increasing of the drift of popular opinion against tho organisation. Tho Klan’s prospects, however, should receive ft severe check From the revelations that are being made at Pittsburgh.