In its June 9, 1923 edition, the Pottsville Republican published an opinion column by James H. Davis entitled Klan-itis. It was an unusual piece for a newspaper of the time to print. Although Davis never mentions the Ku Klux Klan by its full name, it is clear what he was referring to.
In his conclusion, he calls for Americans of “common-sense and broad-mindedness to wake up and stem the tide of this dreadful epidemic” and for the “inertia of the government to end.” He condemns the “grafters” and those who are “enriching themselves through the blindness of the ‘masses.'”
He ends with calling for a “harvest of:”
- Better laws of equal justice to all.
- Better enforcement of the laws by a people who rejoice in the common cause, regardless of color or creed. A people having a better understanding of each other, a clearer and more sympathetic toleration of each other’s weaknesses.
Thus far, efforts to find more information about James H. Davis have not been successful.
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KLAN-ITIS
By James H. Davis
Disease is one of the most serious obstacles in the progress of the human race. Man has had to contend with disease in every corner of his pathway. It not only lurks in the physical ills of mankind, but in the mental, social, spiritual, and economic life as well. It is of that deadly disease which is permeating the air in such enormous quantities at this present day, of which I would speak, Klan-itis, the social disease of the age,
The importance of any disease is determined by the amount of damage. Therefore, the definition or the true meaning of the term – Klan-itis can be more clearly comprehended by the analysis of its effect upon America and Americans.
Most of you are aware of the various organizations, both secret and open, flourishing in this country and wielding a mighty influence upon the aw and opinions of the inhabitants of the United States.
The Trusts are another strong force as powerful. These corporational trusts, coal and steel corporations and the like, prevent by bribery and unjust coercion, the just enforcement of legislation, particularly affecting themselves. These constitute the so-called “grafters” who by lending financial assistance to certain ‘party men’ seeking office: influence their election, demanding in return — future legislative favors.
Radicalism as a Klan or class plays an important part in the crisis of the disease, Klan-itis. Radicalism in its true meaning is progressive and beneficial. It brings about new and original ideas, capable of such uplifting and constructive powers, as to strengthen the free thought and initiative of democratic people. But when Radicalism in the form of Anarchist, Bolshevists, Atheists and others of like caliber, advocate new methods by the use of violence and bloodshed, to overthrow authority and order, then it is in the extreme and deserves to be classed as a demoralizing adjunct to the crisis of the country.
Aside from the large and more powerful Klans, of which I have cited, there are many petty Klans, organizations, groups, or mobs, depending upon the degree in which they are arranged.
What do I mean by all this talk of disease and Klan-itis, and Klans and all that? Simply this: our country has fallen into a measure of decadence. We are becoming as bigoted, as narrow-minded and prejudiced as our ancestors were in Europe, and in the early days of the Puritans in America. We are becoming a “nation of censors.” If any man desires to express himself on any subject that is liable to cause friction, what can he do. He must join a mob or group that are sympathetic to his ideas and abide under the protecting influence of that mob. This nation is, in a social way, a ochlocracy or mobocracy; a nation ruled by petty Klans of influence upon a man’s conduct and expression of thought. Some individual gets an idea that some thing is wrong here or there, creates a disturbance, makes sympathizers join with him and together they ostracize anyone disbelieving in their theory; calling him “Un-American” and sometimes lynching him because of his belief or even because of his color. Regardless of whether the person is a law-abiding citizens and a good American or not, the Klan antagonistic to his idea will seek means to punich him for his beliefs. Worse than this, it is the tendency of the present day to endeavor to place our “prejudices upon the statute books” and to turn “personal preference into law.”
Where is the freedom of speech and religious toleration of which our fore-fathers boasted? Where is the time when the fanatics of the enormous narrow-minded and prudish qualifications were weak and ignored creatures? Klan-itis, the disease of the age has reached its crisis: It is up to the Americans of common-sense and broad-mindedness, to wake up and stem the time of this dreadful epidemic. The inertia of the government must be shattered. While the mobs are senselessly carrying out their wild ideas, the fanatics and “grafters” are making their way step by step into the strong-hold of the legislative and judicial departments of our government. The “grafters” have lost much of their shrewdness; they are greedily enriching themselves through the blindness of the “masses,” They are so sure of their infallibility, that their sentries grow less watchful.
Onward, Americans, native-born of or naturalized, let us creep up and nip the real traitors in the bud. Forget your Klans and your prejudices. Fight for a common cause and the truth will rise from within the common sentiment of justice and right. Shake off the grip of Klan-itis, roll up your sleeves, clean up the politics of the country and reap a harvest of:
- Better laws of equal justice to all.
- Better enforcement of the laws by a people who rejoice in the common cause, regardless of color or creed. A people having a better understanding of each other, a clearer and more sympathetic toleration of each other’s weaknesses.
A common ideal of “100 Percent Americanism” to strive for, based on the platform of Service to the nation and individual alike.
Such a harvest, brought forth by peaceful reapers, is worth far more than any Klan-itis or in other words – Revolution by the mob sentiment – can never accomplish.
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Article from Newspapers.com.
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