nest, becomes desperate. We raise the voice of warning, beware!
beware! Persons there are, (_and not unknown to us_,) who, to gratify
some private grudge or selfish end, like Wheeler's men, so called, are
executing their low, paltry, and pitiful designs at the expense, not
only of the noble creed we profess and act, but also to the great
trouble and annoyance of their neighbors in various communities. We
stay our hand for once; but if such conduct is frightening away
laborers, robbery, and connivance at the secrets of our organization
is repeated, then the mockers _must_ suffer and the traitors meet
their merited doom. We dare not promise what we do not perform. We
want no substitutes or conscripts in our ranks. We can be as generous
as we are terrible; but, _stand back_. We've said it, and there can be
no interference.

By order of the Grand Chief,
A.O.,
_Grand Secretary._

KU KLUX MANIFESTO.[61]

Below we publish a document which we received through the postoffice
on Monday last, it having been dropped into the letter box the
previous night, as we are informed by the postmaster. As to whether or
not the paper is genuine, and emanates from the mysterious Ku Klux
Klan, we have no means of knowing, as the handwriting is evidently
disguised. Although it is our rule to decline the publication of all
anonymous communications, we have decided to waive the rule in this
instance, and print the document for what it is worth. Here it is in
full:

EXTRACT OF MINUTES.

ARTICLE 1. Whereas there are malicious and evil disposed persons, who
endeavor to perpetrate their malice, serve notices, and make threats
under the cover of our august name, now we warn all such bogus
organizations that we will not allow of any interference. Stop it.

ARTICLE 2. There shall be no interference with any honest, decent,
well-behaved person, whether white or black; and we cordially invite
all such to continue at their appropriate labor, and they shall be
protected therein by the whole power of this organization. But we do
intend that the honest, intelligent white people (the tax payers) of
this county shall rule it! We can no longer put up with negro rule,
black bayonets, and a miserably degraded, thievish set of lawmakers,
(God save the mark!) the scum of the earth, the scrapings of creation.
We are pledged to stop it; we are determined to end