Jackson Jambalaya

 One didn't just become a Klansman by putting on a hood and burning a cross.  Nope, the terrorist organization provided instructions to its members on how to further the cause of white supremacy in case any members were too dumb to figure things out for themselves (which probably applied to most members).  The instructions were among a trove of documents recently discovered at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

An employee discovered a long-forgotten briefcase in a closet at DPS as the agency prepares to move to its new headquarters in Rankin County. The briefcase contained a collection of historical rattlesnakes from the 1960's, courtesy of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. A Klan robe, hood, and various Klan documents such as Klorans and meeting minutes filled the briefcase. DPS Commissioner Sean Tindall transferred the briefcase and its contents to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

JJ managed to snag this bit of history.  The collection has over 150 documents and photos.  As usual, JJ will post the documents.  However, JJ does not want to overwhelm the reader so it is posting the documents in batches so they are easier to digest.  

This material is a part of the state's dark past when the tyranny of racism reigned supreme.  However, this website has always believed in reporting the past, good and bad, as history is history.  When history is forgotten, the future almost always reminds us of past sins as we commit them again.   This website covered the lynchings, whipping of blacks at the Capitol, and other racial crimes from the past. This post is published in the same vein.  
What is posted below is not published to glorify the Klan but how a terrorist group in Mississippi operated as the briefcase takes off the mask the Klan used so well to terrorize its fellow Mississippians.  The materials are predictable, making the usual remarks about segregation, white pride, and communist plots to overthrow the government through the Civil Rights Movement. 

When studying the collection, one is struck by how organized the Klavern in Mississippi was.  The documents often read like something from the Rotary Club or a local government.  There are committees, agendas, detailed minutes, lists of fees paid (and unpaid), and rosters. 

Posted below is a copy of an "Imperial Executive Order" that was found in the briefcase.  

The order starts out as a call to arms, stating "this organization is the physical spear upon which the enemy will either impale or perish.  The order exhorts members not to engage in counter-demonstrations or street battles as it would give "the communist authorities in charge of the national government" an excuse to declare martial law.  Seriously.  

The order cloaked its terrorism behind the banner of fighting communism as it claimed the civil rights movement was a communist plot.  The order issues an intelligence directive where members are to collect information and forward it to leadership.  It provides guidance on using propaganda to further the Klan's goals.  The order repeatedly claims the Klan is defending Christian civilization from the godless communists (sarcasm).  

The importance of security is discussed as well.  The order warns members to keep as little in writing as possible, Each unit must have a security officer to discipline members (similar to the role of the Soviet Commissars embedded in the Red Army).  Members are advised to use public phones and to assume they are being wiretapped.  Paranoia abounded as the Klan claimed the postal service was using infrared techniques to scan mail.  

The Klan advised known members to use subterfuge and portray themselves as becoming disillusioned with the KKK.  Each unit was directed to have at least eight men and 50 rounds of ammunition.  They are advised to "drill and shoot together until they are as proficient as an infantry squad.