THE KU-KLUX-KLAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 47, 8 July 1868, Page 3

THE KU-KLUX-KLAN.

Ono of tlio New York papers gives an account of tlio discoveries niudo in tho meeting placo of a lodgo or " den/ as it is callod, of tlio Ku-Klux'Klan, in Tennessee. Tho natno of tho don w»a tho " Supremo Cyclopean Council," its officers were a Grirod Cyclops, aVioo-Grand Cyclops, and secretary, wlio, with two directors, were to control tho funds of tho order, and whoso voto upon all matters WAO to bo final j tho meetings to bo called by

the Grand Cyclops, through the cipher of the organisation. On the table in tho ccntro of tlio hnll was found a humnn skull, which was required in tho Administering of tho oath* Tho following " constitution " explains tho objects of tho order ;— OnaANiSATiOK.— Tho nama of this den ahall bo tho Supremo Clyclopean Council, and its officers shall consist of a Grand Cyclops, a Vice Graud Cyclops, and ft secretary, All fur.s;ci^.i ;i*j«tii4i t-^soaiaUss shall bo under tho control of tho three officers above* named, and two dircotors to be elected, who shall net as ft supervising council, and their decisions upon all matters shall be final, The meattnra shall bo called by th&Graud Cyclops when ho deems it necessary, and shall bo dono through tho papers in tho cipher of the organisation. OiWßCtf— The object of this organisation U for tho purpose ofc protecting the people of the South from the bund of murderers and robbers now preying upon them, even to tno last resort— nasniaination— and wo pledge ourselves ono to tho other that nothing ahall l>« allowed to deviate usfcoiw thU noble object icnthjince.— Entrance to tho lodgo-room will bo obtained through tho medium of two raps in quick succession, to bo followed by two slow ones. - The inside sentinel will say "Our trust j" tho outside applicant will answer " U in God." Ho will then bo admitted, and upon giving the grip, as detailed in nnothcr place, ho can tako his seat. Initiation. — All candttdatea shall bo balloted for in open council, nnd if any applicant receivo three black lull* he cannot bo admitted. As soon as a candidate is elected, ho ahall bo introduced by a brother appointed by the Grand Cyclops. Two members of tho lodge, all shrouded, will rise and receive him, and conduct him into tho middle of the room. Each member of the order sliall have a drawn dagger or other weapon in his hand, pointed toward the candidate, and each member will be required in tho preienco of the candidate to swear that should said candidate prove recreant to the oath which he is about to take, that ho will kill him, and make it his especial duty to do so on tho first safe opportunity. As soon as tbo shrouded brothers hare taken the nbovo oath, the following charge and oath shall be administered by tho Grand Cyclops, or, in his absence, the Vice Grand :— " Here, in the presence of this skull and tha members hero assembled, I solemnly swear to be true to the order, to its members individually and collectively, and should I ever, by sign, word, or deed betray a secret or a member of tho brotherhood, that the skull upon which I now look may bo a counterpart of mine, and I hope that all tho social relation! which I now enjoy mny bo sundered, that honesty in the men or virtue in the females may not he known in my family and generation, and that all who own my name shall bo branded ns dogs and harlots. I further swear to obey iniplicity tho orders of tho Grand Cyclops, regularly issued, throngh his cooncil, and as soon as I receive an order to fulfil it. I again swear that, should a member of this order bo in danger, that, even at tho risk of my life, I will defend and endeavour to save him. That I will give no outward sign or hint that a person may know of the existenco of tho K. X, X,, unless authorised by the Grand Cyclops, and that each member of this order, as soon as the sign is given, I will, recognise, defend, and protect aa n brother. I further swear that I will under and in nil circumstances, bear true nllcglunce to the South, and her interests, as interpreted by tho Supremo Cyclopean Conn* cil, and when I receive its orders, should Ibo even in tho embraces of my wife, I will leave her to obey them. I further swear that all Rndi&tU and negroes who have placed themselves opposite to tho interests of tho owner* of the soil of Tennessee shall for ever be my enemy, nnd that under no circumstance will I have other connection with them, iflc*a help It, tlwn to ' welcome them with bloody hands to hospitable graves/ That my family and tho family of a Hadical shall never interchango visits. And I further pray tliat tho God of tho Southland, whom I now invoke, shall strike mo dead should lever, either in letter or In spirit, infringe upon the tilings set forth iv this oath. To all of which I swear in honesty of heart and sincerity of purpoio. So help me God.,' In regard to tho grip, your committee report that the simplest plan, and at the same time the best, would be a common mooting of tho palms, and tho same time using tho interlocking of littlo lingers and a rrcaaureof thumbs on the back of tho hand. Tho word of danger for the present h " Eli Lama Sabacthani," which nil members aro recom* mended to commit to memory. --i