Then what you 'all know' is wrong. The Klan was originally created as a merely fraternal organization. It later became militant during the reconstruction era after the civil war, led by an ex Confederate General named Nathan Bedford Forrest.
I find that as time passes, HISTORY has slowly eroded into HIS-STORY.
Classic example of HIS-STORY I'm afraid:
Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist[2] organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states, that are best known for advocating white supremacy and acting as vigilantes while hidden behind conical masks and white robes. The KKK has a record of terrorism, violence, and lynching to intimidate and oppress African Americans, Jews, and Roman Catholics during periods of turmoil.
I'm sorry little-whip, no matter what you feel the origin's purpose was you can't sugar-coat the fact of the matter! And I know damn well who and what Nathan B. Forrest was, meaning there is absolutely no honor remaining for you to defend.
I have plenty of photos of this fraternal organization's extra curricular activities during and after the Civil War. You may try reading "Conclave From Kokomo" which will enrich your current chronological beliefs of time-span and events.
Being 88 years old, someone should have told you the entire truth by now.
Care to sugar-coat more? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_klux_klan