JAB, The problem is most people have no idea why the Klan was formed in the first place. It was originally started to protect people from Republicans. You need to read W.J. Bryan Dorn's book. He was in our House of Representative from 1947 to 1949 then from 1951 to 1975. He died in 2005. In his book he talked about when he was a kid growing up here in Greenwood and the Talbots moved to town. The Talbots were the first Republicans most people had every seen here. He said when if one of them was walking down the street all the mothers, including his, would come out and herd the kids back in the house. They were that afraid of the Republicans. A fear like that had to come from some pretty horrible events in the past. Btw, the Talbots were here when I was growing up too. Craziest people I ever saw, and rich. Margaret used to ride around in an old car so full of trash it was spilling out the doors and even the windows. Her brother lived on the original land on Laurel Rd. As a kid I saw him at Dillishaw's store a thousand times. He had a long beard and rode a horse everywhere he went. He would also ride all the way around his property every day looking for trespassers. Supposedly his father told him if he ever shaved or used a car he would lose his inheritance. Their uncle built the Rock House out on Rock House Rd. Strange bunch.
The Klan had nothing to do with black people, it had everything to do with all people who were sorry sobs. History has focused on the blacks for obvious reasons. If you were a sorry sob, white or black, the Klan would warn you to straighten up and act responsible. If you didn't listen they would burn a cross close to your home as a warning and if you still didn't heed said warning they would kick your ass. More sorry ass white men that were not working and taking proper care of their families got their asses straightened out by the Klan than blacks did. My grandfather was a member back in those days and he never talked about doing anything to blacks, he did talk a lot about what they did to sorry ass whites, his own brother was one of those sorry ass whites.
As for General Forrest, I've never seen where he denied being in the clan. I have seen where some Baptist ministers helped form it.
Here's a speech Gen. Forrest gave to the Pole Bearers after the war. The Pole Bearers was an organization of black people formed to promote black voting. They invited him to speak.
Forrest and the Independent Order 0f Pole Bearers (July 5, 1875 Memphis, TN)
Forrest's speech during a meeting of the "Jubilee of Pole Bearers" is a story that needs to be told. Gen. Forrest was the first white man to be invited by this group which was a forerunner of today's Civil Right's group. A reporter of the Memphis Avalanche newspaper was sent to cover the event that included a Southern barbeque supper.
Miss Lou Lewis, daughter of a Pole Bearer member, was introduced to Forrest and she presented the former general a bouquet of flowers as a token of reconciliation, peace and good will. On July 5, 1875, Nathan Bedford Forrest delivered this speech:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the Southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. (Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man, to depress none.
(Applause.)
I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand." (Prolonged applause.)
Nathan Bedford Forrest again thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Such a kiss was unheard of in the society of those days, in 1875, but it showed a token of respect and friendship between the general and the black community and did much to promote harmony among the citizens of Memphis.
TN Reps have balls
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Originally Posted by Gut_Pile
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