ds, skeletons and chains. It struck
terror into the heart of the evil-doer, while the peaceful citizen
knew a faithful patrol had guarded his premises while he
slept."--_Mrs. Stubbs, in "Saunders' Early Settlers of Alabama_," p.
31.

[45] A practice not mentioned here was that of sending out the
peculiar warnings and orders, specimens of which are printed in
Appendix IV.--_Editor._

[46] "We had regular meetings about once a week, at which the conduct
of certain offensive characters would be discussed, and if the
majority voted to punish such it would be accordingly done on certain
prescribed nights. Sometimes it was deemed necessary only to post
notices of warning, which, in some cases, were sufficient to alarm the
victims sufficiently to induce them to reform in their
behavior."--_Ryland Randolph._

CHAPTER IV.

THE DECLINE.

For a while after the reorganization of the Klan, those concerned for
its welfare and right conduct congratulated themselves that all was
now well. Closer organization and stricter official supervision had a
restraining influence upon the members. Many things seemed to indicate
that the future work of the Klan would be wholly good.

These hopes were rudely shattered. Ere long official supervision grew
less rigid or was less regarded. The membership was steadily
increasing. Among the new material added were some bad men who could
not be--at least were not--controlled.

In the winter and spring of 1867 and 1868 many things were done by
members, or professed members, of the Klan, which were the subject of
universal regret and condemnation. In many ways the grave censure of
those who had hitherto been friendly to it was evoked against the
Klan, and occasion, long sought for, was given its enemies to petition
the intervention of the government to suppress it. The end came
rapidly. We must now trace the causes which wrought the decay and
downfall of the "Invisible Empire."

In regard to the doings of the Ku Klux two extreme positions have been
advocated. On the one hand, it is asserted that the Ku Klux committed
no outrages. On the other, that they were the authors of all the
depredations committed by masked and disguised men in the Southern
States from 1865 to 1869. The truth lies between these two extremes.
Great outrages were committed by bands of disguised men during those
years of lawlessness and oppression. And the fact must be admitted
that some of these outrages were committ