Klu Klux Klan featured at Dayton Days in 1922

These two opinion pieces are from the Attalia News-Tribune in 1922 and 1923. Attalia, Washington was a dryland wheat farming community south of Pasco on the Columbia River. It is noteworthy that the Pasco Herald did not cover the 1923 event. You can learn more about the Ku Klux Klan in Washington State and view historical photographs and documents at depts.washington.edu/civilr/kkk_intro.htm

Published on June 14, 1923 Klan feature of Dayton DaysBy Our Special Correspondent

"Dayton Days" are over. This attraction will be remembered by a good many people of this city and county. A feature of the celebration was the big parade in which nearly 500 men, dressed in white robes –-- the Ku Klux Klan -- participated. They presented an imposing appearance and strange to say there was not a drunken person among them. Their only banner was the United States flag. At 5:30 in the evening a big barbecue was staged, in which all Klansmen joined. Later in the evening 700 Klansmen marched up the hill back of Dayton, where a huge cross on the ground was outlined by kerosene-saturated saw-dust, was lighted. Open air initiation of candidates to the order followed this ceremony.

Not a single murder was committed, nobody robbed, nor were any farmer's hen roosts molested. Isn't it strange that no such marauding can be laid at the door of local Klans? To read the controlled press reports from eastern states one would imagine that Klansmen were as of the scum of the earth and unfit to be associated with. Let me tell you friends, that no greater lie ever existed. The truest, most honest and patriotic American citizens are members of this great order.

Published on June 7, 1923

Pasco, Wash., -- The Pasco public is paying deserved tribute to the constructive community work of the provisional Klan of Pasco - the most harmonious, self sacrificing, thoroughly hundred per cent Klan in all of the Pacific Northwest - The pride of Franklin County, Washington.

In keeping with its fixed policy of doing things in a quiet, unassuming manner and taking their reward by rejoicing secretly in good deeds well done, the Pasco Klansmen on Mothers' Day, Sunday, May 13, presented by letter to the Christian Church of Pasco a well filled purse as a good will offering and token of appreciation of admirable work which this church and its pastor, Rev. Saddler, are doing toward advancing true Christianity in this community.

Scores of Klansmen were in attendance at the service and heard the courteous expressions of gratitude by Rev. Saddler and his fitting acceptance of the mysterious donation. This is the Pasco Klan's idea of upholding the principles and dignity of the order. It never has sought any cheap notoriety or sarcastic publicity by appearing in regalia on such missions, and it never will. This same quiet, unassuming attitude was exemplified by the Pasco Klansmen in the recent county and city elections. The public hardly realized there was a Klan until the votes were counted, when the people awakened to the fact that the Pasco Klan had achieved the most thorough and complete victory for real Americanism and Protestantism of all the Klan sections in the state of Washington. -- Western American.

Walla Walla Klan No. 3 has again challenged S. B. S L. Penrose to an open debate, on the question, "Resolved that the Ku Klux is a dangerous and un-American institution."

Stating in their third challenge that Mr. Penrose had not accepted the other challenges, and refusing to allow him to confuse the issue, they rightfully ask for a platform debate on the subject. It is alleged that Mr. Penrose had made statements concerning the Klan to the effect that the Klan was "dangerous and un-American."

To contradict any such statement the Klan asks for the above joint debate.

This story was originally published September 1, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Klu Klux Klan featured at Dayton Days in 1922."