accomplished its work
it passed away. It was formally disbanded before the evil results of
carpet bag governments could be seen. When it went out of existence in
1869, there had been few outrages, but its name and prestige lived
after it and served to hide the evil deeds of all sorts and conditions
of outlaws. But these could be crushed by the government, State or
Federal. In a wider and truer sense the phrase "Ku Klux Movement"
means the attitude of Southern whites toward the various measures of
Reconstruction lasting from 1865 until 1876, and, in some respects,
almost to the present day.

* * * * *

Two elaborate Prescripts or Constitutions were adopted by the Ku Klux
Klan--the original Prescript (See Appendix I) and the Revised and
Amended Prescript (See Appendix II). The ritual and initiatory
ceremonies and obligations were never printed. The by-laws and the
ritual of the Pulaski Circle or Den were elaborate but were in
manuscript only. They were quite absurd and were intended only to
furnish amusement to the members at the expense of the candidates for
initiation. No oaths were prescribed--only a pledge of secrecy. As the
Klan spread among neighboring towns, the Pulaski by-laws and ritual
were modified for the use of new Dens. After the Klan had changed
character and become a body of regulators, and it was decided that the
administration should be centralized, a convention of delegates from
the Dens met in Nashville, in April, 1867, and adopted the original
Prescript already referred to. Lester and Wilson are mistaken in
saying (Ch. 3) that the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted at
this convention. Where and how this Prescript was printed no one now
knows. A copy was sent, without notice or explanation, from Memphis to
the Grand Cyclops of each Den. It must have been printed in a small
printing office since in the last pages the supply of *'s and +'s ran
out and other characters were substituted. Many Dens used only this
Prescript, and most of the members have never heard of more than one
Prescript.

In some respects this first Constitution was found defective and in
1868 the Revised and Amended Prescript was adopted. Who framed it we
do not know, but it is known how it was printed. Frank O. McCord, one
of the founders of the Pulaski Circle, was editor of the _Pulaski
Citizen_. A relative of his who worked in the printing office of the
_Citizen_, made the following stateme