Ku Klux Klan Oath of Allegiance

Oregon State Journal_1871-08-12_Kuklux Oath copy.pdf

Title

SubjectSecret societies

DescriptionThe Ku Klux Klan was founded in 1865 by veterans of the Confederate Army in the wake of the Civil War. Their record of intimidation and violence was aimed at primarily African Americans, but their hate also extended to other races as well as religious and labor groups.

On April 20, 1871, the “Civil Rights Act of 1871” (also known as the “Ku Klux Klan Act”) was passed by Congress. “For the first time, the Ku Klux Klan Act designated certain crimes committed by individuals as federal offenses, including conspiracies to deprive citizens of the right to hold office, serve on juries and enjoy the equal protection of the law. The act authorized the president to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and arrest accused individuals without charge, and to send federal forces to suppress Klan violence.” (Source: http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan)

This is a reprinting of the oath sworn upon joining the Ku Klux Klan. It reads in part,

"You solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that you will never reveal the name of the person who initiated you… that you are not now a member of [any organization] whose aim and intention is to destroy the rights of the South, or of the States, or of the people, or to elevate the negro to a political equality with yourself; and that you are opposed to all such principles, so help you God."