Historian Eric Foner observed:
In effect, the Klan
was a military force serving the interests of the Democratic party
, the planter class, and all those who desired restoration of white supremacy. Its purposes were political, but political in the broadest sense, for it sought to affect power relations, both public and private, throughout Southern society. It aimed to reverse the interlocking changes sweeping over the South during Reconstruction: to destroy the Republican party's infrastructure, undermine the Reconstruction state, reestablish control of the black labor force, and restore racial subordination in every aspect of Southern life.
Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877, New York: Perennial Classics, 1989, p.425–426
The Ku Klux Klan soon spread into nearly every southern state, launching a "reign of terror against Republican leaders both black and white
. Those political leaders assassinated during the campaign included Arkansas Congressman James M. Hinds, three members of the South Carolina legislature, and several men who served in constitutional conventions."
To that end they worked to curb the education, economic advancement, voting rights, and right to keep and bear arms of blacks.
Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877, New York: Perennial Classics, 1989, p.342
White Democrats
cast the full vote of the parish for Grant's opponent. The KKK killed and wounded more than 200 black Republicans
, hunting and chasing them through the woods. Thirteen captives were taken from jail and shot; a half-buried pile of 25 bodies was found in the woods. The KKK made people vote Democratic and gave them certificates of the fact
W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America: 1860–1880, New York: Oxford University Press, 1935 pp.680–681
when in doubt, when you have nothing left to offer, bring up ancient history. Both parties have changed drastically over the years.......the fact that you can't see that concerns me that conservatives never study American History that is any more recent than the early 1900's.
Director D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation glorified the original Klan. His film was based on the book and play The Clansman and the book The Leopard's Spots, both by Thomas Dixon, Jr.. Dixon said his purpose was "to revolutionize northern sentiment by a presentation of history that would transform every man in my audience into a good Democrat!" The film created a nationwide Klan craze.
Dray, Philip (2002). At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America. New York: Random House. p.198
Hugo Black: A former Democrat Senator from Alabama and liberal U.S. Supreme Court Justice until 1971 appointed by FDR
, Hugo Black had a lengthy history of hate group activism. Black was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920's and gained his legal fame defending Klansmen under prosecution for racial murders.
How often do liberals mention FDR on this board? They love ancient history.
archer wrote: when in doubt, when you have nothing left to offer, bring up ancient history. Both parties have changed drastically over the years.......the fact that you can't see that concerns me that conservatives never study American History that is any more recent than the early 1900's.
Yeah, it's sucks to bring up history...amazing how the Democraps forget they have been in charge of Congress since 2006 and yet they still blame Bush after three years too.
Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat
- WV: Byrd, who died last year (2010), was a former member of the Ku Klux Klan and was the most recent national elected official with a history in the Klan. Byrd was extremely active in the Klan and rose to the rank of “Kleagle,” an official Klan membership recruiter. Byrd once stated that he joined the Klan because it was effective in "promoting traditional American values". Byrd's choice of words speak volumes about his bigotry considering the fact that the Klan is a notorious hate group, and the racist "values" it promotes are anything but American. One of the earliest criticisms of Byrd's Klan ties came in 1952 when he was running for Congress.
Arlen wrote: Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat
- WV: Byrd, who died last year (2010), was a former member of the Ku Klux Klan and was the most recent national elected official with a history in the Klan. Byrd was extremely active in the Klan and rose to the rank of “Kleagle,” an official Klan membership recruiter. Byrd once stated that he joined the Klan because it was effective in "promoting traditional American values". Byrd's choice of words speak volumes about his bigotry considering the fact that the Klan is a notorious hate group, and the racist "values" it promotes are anything but American. One of the earliest criticisms of Byrd's Klan ties came in 1952 when he was running for Congress.
Senator Ernest Hollings, Democrat
- SC: Hollings is liberal Democrat Senator from South Carolina from 1966 to 2005 who is also notorious for his use of racial slurs. He rose out of the Democrat Party's segregationist wing in the 1960's as governor of South Carolina. While in office as governor, Hollings personally led the opposition to lunch counter integration in his state.
