Ku-Klux-Klan

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

ku'kluks-klan, in American history, a secret organization of ex-Confederates. It was founded at Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1866. Its objects were primarily to prevent the newly enfranchised negroes from voting; to drive out carpet-baggers, and to intimidate scalawags. No doubt the notion of having amusement contributed to the popularity of the plan. The outward manifestations of the Klan were parties of horsemen abroad at night. They wore long robes, white masks with holes for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils, and were set off with tall pasteboard hats, such as may be seen on the heads of heretics in pictures of the Spanish Inquisition. The leader controlled the movements of his band by well understood signals given offense by political activity were called from their cabins at night, tied to a tree, and whipped, or treated even worse. White men who made themselves objectionable to their neighbors were waylaid and were fortunate if they escaped with their lives. Whatever the motives of the founders and managers may have been, the organization led to such outrages that it was condemned both by an enactment of Congress and by the better sentiment of the South. The organization is stated, on trustworthy authority, to have included over half a million members at one time. It was disbanded in 1869. The officers, proceeding from the president downward, were known by such names as Cyclops, Exchequer, Wizards, Genii, Dragons, Hydras, Titans, Furies, Night Hawks, Monks, Scribes, Sentinels, Goblins,--each name being preceded by the word Grand. A place of meeting was called a Den. It was well guarded by outer and inner sentinels who permitted no one to pass unless provided with the proper passwords. A northern view of the organization, no doubt one-sided, is presented by Judge Tourgee in his Bricks Without Straw. Thomas Nelson Page's Red Rock impresses one as a fairer view of the situation. See Civil War ; Secession