I know that title may invoke certain emotional response, and rightfully so. However, this document, which I shall quote verbatim, contains no
excessive hate speech, racial slurs etc... It is very anti immigration, but no more so than some things we see daily in our lives.
It was tough to pick the proper forum, so if mods see it fit in another area, obviously move it.
Background story, I was at an estate auction a few weeks ago. The place was third generation owned, and the most recent occupant had passed away at
the age of 85, so you know there is a lot of history in this old house. I purchased many boxes of old documents and books for a couple bucks a piece,
one of the boxes contained a pamphlet in miraculous condition from the imperial wizard of the KKK dated 1920. I will bold the areas I find
particularly interesting that seem to parallel some views of today.
The cover reads in large font up top:
Americans,
Take heed!
(Kkk symbolism here)
Issued by
imperial palace
invisible empire
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
Col. W.J Simmons, imperial wizard
Atlanta GA. December 15, 1920
Page 1:
Titled: scum of the melting-pot by Robert Kaufman
"THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, the Constitution and the Gettysburg address are descendants of the magna charta- supreme symbols of Anglo-saxan
souls striving for freedom, justice and humanity. Anglo-saxans established this nation, wrote its code and sent their sons into the wilderness to
gather fresh stars for the flag.
Anglo Saxon purpose cowed the intervening wastes, discovered world granaries beneath the prairies, scaled the grim western hills and unmasked
Eldorado, questioned sullen deserts until they answered with gardens, and finished on the Pacific the great adventure begun at Plymouth Rock.
Then, when the last taunting horizon had been met and vanquished, when axe and rifle had won an empire, when scattered settlements were beaded
on threads of steel, and a safe highway through opportunity had been paved in their generous blood, the pioneers, the risk takers, tossed their
port-keys into the ocean and invited all creation to come and leisure in a 'sure thing'.
The making of America is fundamentally an Anglo-saxan achievement. Anglo-saxan brains have guided the course of the republic. Our ideals are
Anglo-saxan, our social traditions, our standards of honor, our quality of imagination and indomitability.
But Anglo-saxan opinion is a fast diminishing force in national determinations strange shoddy has lately crept on the loom in which we weave
our destiny; intermarriage is steadily diluting the foundation strain, and if we continue to hold gates and veins wide open, Anglo-saxan conscience
will soon cease to captain our genius.
It would slander a vast body of loyal citizens not to admit the devoted service of all who fought for us, wrought with us, valiantly supported
the country in every crisis. Yet, a review of the past fifty years discloses that each successive tide of immigrants has displayed less and less
sympathy with our institutions, is more confirmed in it's racial solidarity, more resistant to environment and assimilation.
Ominous statistics proclaim the persistent development of a parasite mass within our domain- of political system is clogged with foreign bodies
who stubbornly refuse to be absorbed, and means must be found to meet the menace. We have taken into ourselves a Trojan horse crowded with ignorance,
illiteracy and envy. We have Hessionized our essential enterprises until Allen workers predominate the basic industries of the country and hold
further progress at their regardless mercy.
Provocateurs of revenge and anarchy-opportunists and demagogues-are already forging their strength into a weapon that bodes democracy I'll.
Reckless state laws admit them to local elections without process of naturalization, and inadequate naturalization tests put votes into their
hands before we fairly get English into their heads.
The will of America is not calling land over for strikes-the fist of America is not brandishing I.W.W. bombs-the choice of America is not
sophisticating Congress and legislatures with snide statesmanship.
Nay, the voice of America is being slowly drowned in jargon voice crying hate between labor and capital-hate between blindness and vision-hate
between culture and coarseness-hate between law and license-even hate between the Anglo-saxan peoples.
ON TO THE MELTING-POT AND CLEAN IT O'THIS SCUM "
A lot to read, I know... But look at some of the parallels again in bold. Now, I'm not saying that it you believe that we should halt certain
immigrations you are as bad as a 1920 Klansman, just suggesting that hey, obviously people were freaking out about immigration nearly a hundred years
ago with very similar talking points, but we as a country (for the most part) turned out okay in the end.
Until I read this, I had strong feelings against certain immigration. Now, I'm starting to question if maybe we are getting a little ahead of
ourselves. It will take a while for certain cultures to assimilate, but after a few generations I like to think they'll figure it out.
Thanks for reading! Peace and good vibes to you all