“Stop the Influx of the Foreign”” “A Klan Leader Speaks

It was long believed that Klansmen were more likely to come from fundamentalist and evangelical Protestant churches, but statistical studies do not bear”“this out. A table of the religious affiliations of Richmond, Indiana, Klansmen shows that at least in that city, the Klan appealed “across denominational lines.” Fundamentalist churches were not important in the city or in the Klan, and the organization even appealed to Richmond’s Quakers. Other studies bear out these conclusions about the breadth of the Klan’s support. But that conclusion must always be qualified—the Klan appealed to a crosssection of white Protestants, not a crosssection of all Americans. Most historians agree that the Klan in major cities represented the middle spectrum of occupational classes, and in a number of towns and cities, it was essential to be a Klan member to have access to the echelons of power.

In this speech, which is probably delivered by Klan leader Hiram Wesley Evans, the Klan’s anti-immigrant ideology is fully on display.

Hiram Wesley Evans: I am appreciative of this opportunity to present a matter which is of interest to all Klansmen and Klanswomen. Foremost among the matters of moment which concern our national welfare is the necessity for renewed devotion to the Godly ideals which once coursed vigorously through our national endeavor. If civilization is to continue to progress, if America is to continue to be the nation purposed by almighty God to hold aloft the beacon light of truth and liberty, men and women of America must know that the fundamental thing is to recognize divine authority and human responsibility thereto for every action. We must return to the simple but sublime principles instituted by Christ, whose guidance of man’s relations to his God, his country, his neighbor, and himself. America’s people lived for long decades a life apart, dependent only on Almighty God. As the density of the population increased, our people became more and more interdependent upon each other. We have been a homogeneous people in the main, thinking and acting alike, obeying constituted authority in the interests of the common welfare. Today, our unity is threatened by the hordes of immigrants who have sought shelter under our flag. They bring foreign ideas and ideals into our land, threatening our unity through a foreign propaganda that is boring into the hard fibers of our national character. This must be corrected if we are to remain a united nation of Americans, rather than a polyglot mob. To hold all those now residing within our borders into a united people, two things must be done. First, we must stop the influx of the foreign. Second, we must, through education, bring all our people to a common program of acting and thinking. The ideals and fundamental principles of the nation, which our forefathers fought to create and died to preserve, must be taught to and instilled in the hearts of our composite American citizenry. To accomplish these great purposes, all who love America, whose hearts beat in fellowship for fellow man, must be united, following a sacred band of patriotic, God-fearing Americans, who are willing to labor with purity of heart and singleness of mind for a united, awakened vitalized nation that guides civilization along her chartered ways.“

“Living Atlanta Project, WRFG-FM, producer Harlon Joye, reproduced in WBA? CD-ROM