CHAPTER XIV
Simmons Forced to Act
The cases of lawlessness set forth in the foregoing chapter have been laid at the door of the “Invisible Empire,” but “Emperor” Simmons has denied that the acts involved were committed by members of his organization. There have been, however, three specific cases where outrages have been proven to have been committed by members of the “Invisible Empire,” and in these cases the “Emperor” has been forced to take action against his own Klans, revoking charters in two instances and suspending the charter of the third. This action on the part of the “Emperor” has been extensively advertised by him as a guarantee of good faith that he intends to keep his “Invisible Empire” free from the control of lawless characters; but, public opinion, in the shape of widespread editorial comment of leading newspapers, does not agree with his point of view. Editors agree that no matter how altruistic may be the claims of the “Invisible Empire,” a movement of secret government, acting extra-legally cannot be held in control; and it having been demonstrated in three specific instances that the Ku Klux Klan has been guilty of lawlessness, thus necessitating the “Emperor’s” summary action, it follows that the whole system has no place in American affairs.
Believing that these developments in the Ku Klux situation fully sustain my position that the “Invisible Empire” is not a fraternal order, but a combination seeking to govern the American people by intimidation and force, I shall take up these cases in detail, the facts in each instance having been fully verified by the New York World in its investigations.
The first instance of lawlessness developed in Mobile, Ala., when people of that city awoke one morning in the spring of 1921, to find Ku Klux warnings on many billboards, trees, and telephone poles, and in other public places. Most of them laughed, but some of the negroes took the signs seriously and prepared to leave the city. A Northern exodus was threatened, but with all the excitement the newspapers of the city remained silent, not even printing the notice found stuck up about the place, although a New Orleans paper carried the story which was read by the negroes of Mobile. Fearing the action of public opinion, “Emperor” Simmons revoked the charter of the Mobile Klan.
The warning read:
“Law violators! This is the first and last time that we will warn you! You must either heed this warning or take the consequences, for if you have any doubts in your mind that you will not be able to comply with the laws of this city and county then you had better leave at once; ‘for be ye well assured’ that we will attend to you without fear or favor.
“This warning is for the taxi drivers, street smashers, bad women, shinny dealers, gamblers, thieves, loafers, and any and all violators of the law. We know you and have your names, and should you violate one of the laws after receiving this warning be ye assured that we will attend to you without hesitation, as the laws of this county must be complied with.
“No law-abiding citizens need fear anything from this organization for we stand back of the laws and see that they are enforced regardless. This is no negro whipping organization, but should occasion arise, be ye assured that we will not hesitate.
“This warning also applies to colored doctors. Seventy-two hours after this notice you must have the word ‘colored’ posted on your sign. This waiting on white patients must be stopped. We know you, and the next case that you attend don’t blame us, as you have been warned.