Violence and terror were ingrained in the oath sworn by new Klansmen. The penalty for violating the oath was death; for some initiates, a noose was looped around their neck as they held a Bible and swore fealty to the oath: You solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that you will never reveal the name of the person who initiated you: and you will never reveal what is about to come to your knowledge … you will oppose all radicals and negroes in all of their political designs; and that should any radical or negro impose on, abuse or injure any member of this brotherhood, you will
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