You Saw, Behind the Mask, the Fatal Grin

You saw behind the mask, the fatal grin
Of the old Ku-Klux skull! But too late
The mask slips off, & naked to the day,
The wrath of Freedom in her own calm way
Shall crush the spectre with an empire’s weight!

Count out a people’s ballot, & defy
All visible powers below & Power on high,
But know ye, Robbers, while your paeans begin
God will be counted in!

The grand forbearance of a people great
Has saved a nation while it saves a State;
But you, dishonoring of a noble name
Descent to swift oblivion or long shame!

The indignant virtue of a people, slow
To holy wrath shall burn with white glow
And smite your power to ashes; not alone
Under our gallant Pine Tree, & the zone
Of Freedom’s watch-fire, stars that never set, - 
But over all the land where yet
Secrecy woos the Assassin, & red gold
Caresses Murder – “Fusion” of Fraud & Force,
          The twin Conspirators
That seek a realm to plunder & to hold!