Project Editor: Ryan Treick, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

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CHANCELLOR AVERY'S STATEMENT

My opinion having been asked on the desirability of the organization of a Ku Klux Klan in the University, permit me to say that I have not investigated the national organization thoroughly and consequently cannot speak from first hand information. I wish to do no organization an injustice, but from such information as I have gleaned from the newspapers and from conversation with people familiar with its workings in other places stieems to me that the organization of a K. K. K. in the University is highly undesirable.

The University should be characterized by a broad, liberal spirit of fellowship. Learning knows no distinction based on race or creed. An organization whose membership is restricted to "the native born American, white, and protestant" cannot fail to give offense to many students and patrons who in facing the common enemy in the late war showed their 100 per cent Americanism on the battlefields in France.

I make no accusation against any interested in promoting the organization, but the name itself suggests the old mob violence which I remember disgraced the country in my childhood days. It seems to me to be at best an unfortunate designation if the society is to be really a patriotic one, to stand for law and order as all true patriots must.

I have no prejudices against secret organizations and am myself a member of a number, but I would not be a member of an organization whose membership list is concealed or one organized for the purpose of influencing public opinion in any underground way. Let all 100 per cent Americans show their Americanism by openly standing for their convictions, not by trying to work thru an organization that makes secrecy of membership a basic principle.

This statement represents my personal opinion and for the present is unofficial. I have no intention of interferring with the rights of students or faculty to join any lawful organization in the city that they please, but I sincerely hope that public sentiment in the University will prove to be so unanimous against forming an organization to be known as the University Ku Klux Klan that the student who is inclined to join from high and worthy motives will see the mistake he is making and, even the professional joiner on the campus will be discouraged.

S. AVERY.