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This order was formed at
New Orleans, La., in May, 1867, and subsequently became the largest of the
revolutionary orders called into existence by the misgovernment of
reconstruction. Its principal strength was in the Gulf states, farther
south than the Ku Klux Klan. The organization was as follows: a Supreme
Council for the United States; a Grand Council in each state; a Central
Council in each congressional district; and Councils in each county. Each
council was divided into circles and groups. The officers of the council
were known as commander, lieutenant-commander, sentinel, secretary and
treasurer; with the prefixed adjectives, supreme, grand, or eminent, for
the officials of the three higher ranks of councils. The members were
called "brothers." The objects of the order were, to nullify radical
legislation, to reduce the influence of the blacks in politics, to prevent
amalgamation of the races, and to defend the white race against radical
encroachment. The members swore to vote for no black for office, to
observe always a marked distinction between the races, to maintain the
social and political superiority of the white race, at the same time
protecting the blacks in the privileges rightfully theirs. The
constitution forbade the endorsement of any political party by the order.
Each member was free to vote as he pleased, subject to his oath always to
oppose negroes for office, or those favorable to negro political rights.
The order operated also as a body of regulators using such methods as were
usually attributed to the Ku Klux Klan. The membership was of a higher
order than that of the Klan; the discipline was good and the order never
degenerated so badly as the Ku Klux. The effect of its operations was to
control the lawless negroes, intimidate and drive from the country the
carpet-baggers, and to secure again to the whites control of the State and
county governments. These objects accomplished, the order gradually
disbanded. Its secrets were well kept and not until recent years was
anything definite known of the order. The White Brotherhood and the White
League were closely related orders that existed in the same territory a
few years after the White Camelia had disintegrated. |
