"1ST OFFICIAL CONFERENCE OF VACATION STAY"

PRESIDENT WILL NOT REVIEW PARADE OR ADDRESS KKK CONVENTION IN AUGUST

Swampscott, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On June 26, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge held "the first official conference of his vacation stay on the north shore of Massachusetts."

White House officials, working at White Court* here in Swampscott, also intimated to the press that President Coolidge will most likely not be reviewing the Ku Klux Klan parade or addressing the KKK convention to be held in the Nation's Capital in August.

It was also intimated that Klan officials offered the invitation not expecting the President to accept it.

*White Court was a century old classical revival mansion which served as "The Summer White House" for President Coolidge in 1925.  The mansion, which reportedly was set for demolition in 2018, was designed by Arthur Little.

SOURCES

"Coolidge Will Not Address Klan Here," by George E. Durno, The Washington Times, June 26, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Last Summer of White Court," by daseger, Streets of Salem, June 28, 2018, www.streetsofsalem.com/

Marian Court College

Swampscott, MA

Photo by Chonak (2009)

CC SA 3.o

"WE ARE ALL NOW IN THE SAME BOAT"

PRESIDENT MAY BE INVITED TO REVIEW GREAT NATIONAL PARADE OF THE KKK

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 24, 1925, The Evening Star reports that President Calvin Coolidge will most likely "be invited to review the great national parade of the Ku Klux Klan" to be held in the Nation's Capital on August 8, 1925*.  This comes from "a high official" of the KKK.

The Star says Klan officials expect between 150,000 & 200,000 members of their organization to attend.  As is true for other groups, KKK members will be offered "special rates" by railroad companies.

While most Klansmen are slated to walk in the parade, some will be mounted on horses which will be masked.  The Star says their riders will not wear masks.

JFK+50 NOTE

President Coolidge would refuse to review the KKK parade & in fact did not do so, but he received criticism for not publicly condemning the Klan.  Also, he did not attempt to stop the parade because he felt he did not have the authority to do so.

On the other hand, Mr. Coolidge did express the view that while all Americans came to this land in different ways, "we are all now in the same boat."

*Approximately 30,000 Klansmen from all corners of the Nation came to Washington, D.C. on August 8, 1925 to march in "one of the greatest demonstrations the city has ever seen."  

They marched, mostly un-masked, 22 abreast & 14 rows deep along Pennsylvania Ave. from the Capitol to the Washington Monument.   It has also been characterized as "the greatest un-masked demonstration ever staged by the secret order."

SOURCES

"Klan May Invite Coolidge Review," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 24, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The day 30,000 White supremacists in KKK robes marched on the Nation's Capital," by Terence McArdle, August 11, 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/

"When the Klan Descended on Washington," by Gonzalo Pacanins, December 11, 2019, Boundary Stones, WETA, www.boundarystones.wtea.org/

Klansmen Outside U.S. Capitol Building

Washington, D.C. (1925)

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"TO HELP WIN NY, NJ, INDIANA, OHIO & ILLINOIS"

DAVIS DENOUNCES KLAN, CALLS ON COOLIDGE TO DO SAME

Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On October 17, 1924, Democratic candidate for POTUS, John W. Davis, called upon his opponent, Republican President Calvin Coolidge, to publicly denounce the Ku Klux Klan.

Governor Davis, speaking here in the Windy City, personally denounced the "hooded organization" by name and insisted the President "issue a similar denunciation."

William K. Hutchinson of the International News Service reports the Davis campaign believes their candidate's strong stand against "the evil empire" will help win New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois in this year's presidential election*.

*Coolidge defeated Davis in Nov 1924 382-136 winning every one of these 5 states.  Davis won the "Solid South" while Coolidge carried the rest of the country except for Wisconsin which was won by Progressive candidate Bob La Follette.

JFK+50 NOTE

According to the Coolidge Foundation, the KKK preached a message of keeping "America for Americans," that is for "white, native born Protestants." 

Klansmen of the 1920s opposed Catholics, Jews, "certain foreigners," and blacks.  The Klan reached its membership peak in the mid 1920s.  The foundation asserts that both Presidents Harding and Coolidge "rejected the Klan and all it stood for"...."contributing to its decline."

SOURCES

"Davis Demands Coolidge Rap Ku Klux," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, October 17, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Ku Klux Klan in Calvin Coolidge's America," by Jerry L. Wallace, Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, www.coolidgefoundation.org/

 

 

 

Klansmen Drop Hate Flyers

Hyattsville, MD 

1922

www.flickr.com/

"DO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT A CHANGE?"

DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE CONTRASTS WILSON'S 'ACHIEVEMENTS' WITH G.O.P. 'FAILURES'

Sea Girt, New Jersey (JFK+50) On August 22, 1924, John W. Davis, Democratic nominee for POTUS, "contrasted the achievements of President Woodrow Wilson with the "failures" of the current Republican presidential administration.

The candidate spoke at Mr. Wilson's famous "Little White House" here in New Jersey.  He asked...

"Do the (American people) want a change or do they not?"

Mr. Davis also assailed the Ku Klux Klan for raising the standard of racial and religious prejudice.  He said...

"The KKK has no proper part in the campaign."

SOURCE

"Davis Flays Klan By Name," by  David Sentner, Washington Times, August 22, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

C. L. Shaver & John W. Davis

Democratic Headquarters

09/27/1924

Library of Congress

"VIOLENCE ENDS WHEN KKK PERMITS WEAPONS SEARCH"

ROCK SALT FIRED FROM SHOTGUNS & SHOWERS OF STONES CAUSE INJURIES IN BATTLE WITH KLANSMEN

Lancaster, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On July 30, 1924, several people were hospitalized, some with serious injuries, following a battle between members of the Ku Klux Klan and anti-Klan individuals.  The confrontation took place both here in Lancaster and also Spencer.

The Washington Times reports "shot guns loaded with rock salt" were fired along with pistols.  "Showers of stones" were also thrown.

This violent affair came to an end when klansmen permitted police and state troopers to search for weapons.  When none were found, they "began their departure."

SOURCE

"Rock Salt Is Used In Klan Warfare," The Washington Times, July 30, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Hatred, Racism Exhibits

The Children's Museum

Indianapolis, Indiana

Photo by Valerie Everett (2012)

"DEMOCRATS WILL NOT 'SINGLE OUT' KKK"

MINORITY ANTI-KLAN PLANK DEFEATED BY ONE VOTE

New York City (JFK+50) The Associated Press reports that "the Democratic platform will not single out the Ku Klux Klan* by name" nor will it "contain a Wilsonian plank on the league of nations."

These decisions were made on Sunday morning, June 29, 1924, after a "ten-hour continuous session in which some of the most disorderly scenes in convention history were enacted."

Things got so heated that police had to be called in to quiet down disorderly delegates.

The final vote on the KKK minority plank fell just one vote short of passage. 

*According to David Pietrusza, the KKK of the 1920s came about because of "cultural conflict and modernization."  While the KKK of the Reconstruction years was a Southern phenomenon, the 1920s saw the Klan including "white, middle-class Protestant Americans from the North & Midwest."  There was a strong backlash against recent immigrants from Southern & Eastern Europe which resulted in anti-Catholicism & anti-Semitism.

SOURCES

"Anti-Klan Plank Beaten By One Vote," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 29, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The KKK in the 1920s," by David Pietrusza, Bill of Rights Institute, www.billofrightsinstitute.org/

 

 

Cover of Sheet Music (1923)

"We Are All Loyal Klansmen"

www.garystockbridges617.

getarchive.net/

"ALABAMA SENATOR COMPARED TO JAMES BUCHANAN"

SENATOR UNDERWOOD TO MAKE OPPOSITION TO KLAN HIS CAMPAIGN SLOGAN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 7, 1924, Frederic William Wile reports that Senator Oscar W. Underwood* (D-Alabama) plans to elevate hostility to the Ku Klux Klan "as his campaign slogan."

Wile compares the Senator's strategy with that of James Buchanan whose opposition to Know-Nothingism** "carried (him) into the White House."

Senator Underwood will open his presidential campaign in Cleveland, Ohio on January 22, 1924.  His battle against the Klan will not only take place in his home territory, the South, but also in the state of Ohio where the KKK is more powerful than any state in the Union other than Indiana.

*Oscar W. Underwood (1862-1929) was born in Louisville, KY & served in the US Senate 1915-1927.  OWU was the 1st to be designated as floor leader in the USS & the only person to serve as Democratic leader in both houses of Congress.

**Know-Nothings were nativists who kept their secrecy by denying their existence as a party.  KNs opposed Catholics & recent immigrants to the United States. 

SOURCE

"Anti-Klan Plank Underwood Plan," by Frederic William Wile, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 7, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Oscar W. Underwood

Bain News Service Photo

Library of Congress

"THE NEXT MOVE IS UP TO THE KLAN"

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR OFFERS COMPROMISE TO STATE LEGISLATORS 

Oklahoma City (JFK+50) On October 10, 1923, the Associated Press reports Governor J.C. Walton* "stands ready to abdicate in order to bring to a successful close his war on the Ku Klux Klan in Oklahoma."

The previous evening, the Governor "offered to compromise with members of the state legislature, bent on impeaching him, by resigning."

Gov. Walton, however, will only resign if the legislature passes the bill to "unmask the Klan and curb mob violence."

Executive Counselor Aldrich Blake said...

 "The next move is up to the Klan."

*Jack C. Walton (1881-1949) was mayor of Oklahoma City 1919-1923 & governor of Oklahoma 1923.  JCW was convicted on 22 charges & removed from office by the state legislature on Nov 19, 1923.

SOURCE

"Walton Will Quit If Klan Is Banned," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 10, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Jack Walton

Gov of Oklahoma 1923

Oklahoma Dept of Libraries

"6000 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN OPPOSE STATE KKK"

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS MARTIAL LAW IN EFFECT IN OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (JFK+50) On September 16, 1923, The Evening Star reports martial law was proclaimed for the "entire state of Oklahoma" by Governor J.C. Walton* taking effect at midnight.

The Governor ordered out "a full force" of 6000 National Guardsmen in opposition to the Ku Klux Klan.  He also declared "a state of insurrection and rebellion is in effect against the Constitution and authorities of Oklahoma."

The Grand Dragon of the Oklahoma KKK had recently bragged that the governor "never could break the power of the klan in Oklahoma."

*John "Jack" Calloway Walton (1881-1949) was born in Greensboro, Indiana & served as mayor of Oklahoma City 1919-1923.  JCW served as Governor of Oklahoma in 1923, was the 1st in state history to be removed from office & served the shortest term of any Oklahoma governor.

SOURCE

"Oklahoma Is Placed Under Martial Law In War On Klansmen," The Evening News, Washington, D.C., September 16, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Governor Jack C. Walton

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

"CITIZENS PARK CARS ON BRIDGE ENTRY INTO TOWN"

KLAN ATTEMPT TO PARADE THROUGH CARNEGIE STOPPED

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On April 26, 1923, the Associated Press reports "one man was killed...and an unknown number of others" were injured at midnight tonight when citizens of the Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie* "clashed with robed members of the Ku Klux Klan."

The confrontation took place at the Glendale bridge over Chartiers creek.  A police motorcycle squad has been sent in to stop further attempts by KKK members to enter the town.

The AP estimates that 10,000 Klansmen had gathered on the hill above Carnegie preceding an attempt to march through the town.  The KKK had no permit from officials to conduct the parade.

JFK+50 NOTE

The good citizens of Carnegie parked their automobiles on the bridge at the entrance of their town to prevent Klansmen from entering and conducting a parade. 

According to Linda Gordon, the KKK of the 1920s "largely flourished" north of the Mason-Dixon Line & boasted of an army of 4 to 6 million.  Ms. Gordon says that the KKK of that decade became a "major political force."

*Carnegie is a borough of Allegheny County, PA & part of the Pittsburgh metro area.  It was formed in 1894 by the merger of the towns of Mansfield & Chartiers which faced each other on opposite sides of Chartiers Creek.

SOURCES

"One Slain, Many Hurt As Crowd Attacks Klansmen Parade," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., August 26, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The second coming of the KKK, the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s and the American political tradition," by Linda Gordon, Smithsonian, www.si.edu/

 

 

East Main Street

Carnegie, Pennsylvania

Photo by Lee Paxon

2009

"KKK ASSUMES ALL OBLIGATIONS OF THE INSTITUTION"

KKK TAKES OVER LANIER UNIVERSITY

Atlanta, Georgia (JFK+50) On August 18, 1921, Lanier University* located in the Morningside-Lenox Park area here in Atlanta, was taken over by the Ku Klux Klan.

The New York Tribune reports that "Dr. C. Lewis Fowler has resigned as president and William J. Simmons**, head of the Klan, named as his successor."

The university trustees announced that "there was no cash consideration involved," but the KKK "assumes all obligations of the institution." 

*Lanier University, named after poet Sidney Lanier, was founded by Charles Lewis Fowler, a Baptist minister in 1917.  It became Georgia's first co-educational Baptist college.  KKK ownership lasted one year as the school failed & closed on Sept 1, 1922.

**William Joseph Simmons (1880-1945) founded & led the Second Ku Klux Klan.  Born in Harperville, Alabama, WJS was educated at Johns Hopkins University. 

SOURCE

"KU-KLUX ACQUIRES UNIVERSITY AT ATLANTA," The New York Tribune, August 19, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Arlington Hall

(Lanier University)

Atlanta, Georgia

Photo by Keizers (2011)

www.wikimedia.org/