l be remembered that in March, 1867, the Reconstruction
Acts were passed and that in April, 1867, the Reconstruction was
beginning.--_Editor._

[32] "It originated with returned soldiers for the purpose of
punishing those negroes who had become notoriously and offensively
insolent to white people, and, in some cases, to chastise those white
skinned men who, at that particular time, showed a disposition to
affiliate socially with negroes. The impression sought to be made upon
these latter was that these white-robed night prowlers were the ghosts
of the Confederate dead, who had arisen from their graves in order to
wreak vengeance on an undesirable class of both white and black
men."--_Ryland Randolph._

[33] The class called "tories" during the Civil War. They should not
be confused with the genuine Unionists.--_Editor._

[34] Sometimes called "Loyal League." See in regard to this secret
society--Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, Ch. 16, and
(West Virginia University) Documents relating to Reconstruction, No.
3.--_Editor._

[35] On this point the testimony of Generals Forrest, John B. Gordon
and E.W. Pettus, and J.A. Minnis, in the Ku Klux Report, is
instructive.--_Editor._

[36] Pease, "In the Wake of War," (fiction) gives a very good
description of affairs in Tennessee by one who was thoroughly familiar
with conditions there.

CHAPTER III.

THE TRANSFORMATION.

Until the beginning of the year 1867, the movements of the Klan had,
in the main, been characterized by prudence and discretion; but there
were some exceptions. In some cases there had been a liberal
construction of orders and of what was by common consent the law of
the Klan. In some, the limits, which tacitly it had been agreed upon
not to pass, had been overstepped.

Attempts had been made to correct by positive means evils which
menaces had not been sufficient to remove. Rash, imprudent and bad men
had gotten into the order. The danger which the more prudent and
thoughtful had apprehended as possible was now a reality. Had it been
possible to do so, some of the leaders would have been in favor of
disbanding. That could not well be done, because at that time the
organization was so loose and imperfect. So to speak, the tie that
bound them together was too shadowy to be cut or untied. They had
evoked a spirit from "the vasty deep." It would not down at their
bidding.

And, besides, the Klan was needed. The only course whi