Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-02
The Fifteenth Amendment.

Serenades to Tie President, Vice President, and
OtAers-Remarks BY President CRAM, p,ce frs s,
tdeHt Colfax, Secretaries Fish and Bo9fncn.
Sendfor Summer, Col. Forney, Mayor Bo'cen, ana
Others-Letler from Gen. Hordrd.
In accordance with the announcement IN The
STAR of yesterday that serenade would De
given last night by the Republicans OF the
First w ard to the President and other dignita-
ries in view of the ratification Of the fifteenth
Amendment to the Federal Constitution, large
assemblaRe gathered about the White House.
The COMMITTEES of the club met at the Stevens
School-bouse, ON 2lst street, early in the eve
ming and soon after the arrangements were
completed. This was an impromptu demon
stration by the First Ward Republicans to give
vent to their feelings Of gratitude to the men
who have been prominent actors in the struggle
for their freedom. eliminating in the ratihca-
ton Of the fifteenth amendment. The MEM
beers Of the First Ward Club and other Republi-
cans began to assemble at the Stevens School
house about eight O'Clock, and soon afterwards
two large four-horse omnibuses arrived with
Kings Band of fifteen pieces. A short meeting
was held in the school-roOm, and just before its
conclusion the band played an air, and Mr.
James Wormley requested all to give three
cheers for the President of the United States,
which was done most heartily. The carriages
were then speedily filled, and those who were
not fortunate enough to obtain seats took to the
House, where, in response to the music and
cheers by the crowd, the President appeared on
the portico. Col. John w. Forney, ON behalf
of the assembled citizens, then addressed him
as follows:
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY COL. ToRNKY.
Mr.. President: On the part of the Republi-
cans Of the District of Columbia L am here to-
night to return to you, in their name, the ex-
preston of their profound gratitude for the
second proclamation which seals the great work
OF the war, in the overthrow OF which you were
Of your illustrious predecessor, which declared
the downfall Of slavery, was essential to that
great moral victory which ci, succeeded the til
to speak the feelings OF the race liberated, first
by Mr.. Lincoln, and second, enfranchised by
yourself, on this interesting occasion. Those of
us who have enjoyed the rights of citizenship
for so long a time can not express the emotions
which swell their hearts this evening; and YOU
sir, may well conceive how they appreciate the
great work which has been so splendidly con-
summated by yourself-the words of counsel.
the words of cheer, the words of announcement
you have bestowed upon them-and, therefore
on TINS inclement night, they have come to ten
der you their heartfelt thanks for again proving
yourself their hberator and their friend. ZAP
plause.]
REMARKS OF PRESIDENT GRANT.
Sir: can assure those present that there has
been no event since the close of the war in which
have felt so deep an interest as that of the
Latincation Of the fifteenth amendment to the
the Union. have felt the greatest anxiety ever
since L have been in this house to know that
that was to be secured. 1t looked to me as the
Teh OF the Declaration Of Independence.
lCheers.l L cannot say near so much on this
subject as L would like to, not being accustomed
to public Speaking; but thank you very much
f05 9rPTs io1s this evening
retired to the vestibule, and the band struck up
John Browns body lies Wondering in the
grave" Cheers were then given for Vice Pre-
sident Colfax, and In response to the call he
came forward and said:
REMARKS OF VICE PRESIDENT coLrAx
Fellow-citizens; My heart rejoices with yours
people Of this Republic and to the people OF the
world the ratification of the fifteenth amend
ment to the Constitution. 1t is, indeed, fortu
Claimed Of ths 1eSeon
salvation intact OF this imperiled Union pro-
claimed afterward, as the Chief Magistrate of
the land which by his valor and that of his
fellow soldiers was saved from disruption, that,
as this country has made all free, the same
country has determined that every one should
have in his hands the ballot to protect that
to this final elimination, it will live in all history
as the Magma Charta Of this Republic of the
United States. tApplause.l
The band afterwards played some more airs
and then all repaired to the residence of Senator
Sumner, where, after music by the band, Mr..
sumner made his appearance, (being the first
time it Is said; that he has ever responded on
assemblage by Mr.. James WOrmly.
REMARKS OF Mr.. SUMNER.
Mr. sumner commenced by congratulating
them on the great results accomplished in
securing equal rights for all, which for years
had been his hope and object-to see the promise
of the Declaration of Independence become a
entirely Accomplished son Is not II was lis
nature To think more of what remains to be
done than of what has been done-more of duties
than Of triumphs. He had only just heard from
Philadelphia of a decision in a court of justice
that a colored person of foreign birth could not
be naturalized in this country because of color.
This is in accordance with old statute-a
relic OF the days Of slavery. He had now a bill
before the Judiciary Committee OF the Senate
striking the word white from our naturalization
fnrf hAr hat ,oN III
shall be received in all the public con-
veyances in the United States, that no
one be excluded therefrom by reason of color.
ington shall complete this equality of rights in
your common schools. You all go together to
ane any Essen @af Ard shs ssas IN the Sem
of the common school on account of color This
discrimination must be abolished. AL schools
In accomplishing this you will work, not only
for yourselves, but will set an example for all
the land, tand most especially for the South
only In this way can your school system be ex-
tended for the equal good OF all; andnow, as you
have at heart the education of your children,
that they should grow up in that knowledge of
equal rights, so essential for their protection to
the world, 1t Is your bOunden duty here in WASH
ington to see that this is accomplished. Your
school system must be founded on equal rights
20 that no one shall be excluded on account Of
At the close Of Mr.. Summers speech, severa,
airs were played, and the assemblage then pro-
ceedcd 70 the north end Of the Arlington Hotel
and Col Fremont was next called upon The
committee were introduced to the Colonel who
thanked them for the compliment rendered him
Abter an interchange Of salutations they re-
tired, the Colonel declining to address them on
account Of indisposition. Secretary Fish was
next called upon at his residence and Secretary
Boutwell, was found to be there on a visit Sec
Rotary Fish, after thanking the citizens for the
compliment paid him, and expressing his regret
that they had not a better night for the demon
stration, then introduced the Secretary of the
Treasury.
RkMARKs OF SECRETARY BOUTWELL,
Mr.. Boutwell, said that the occasion which
had brought them together was second only TO
the proclamation Of emancipation. Without
this, the fifteenth amendment would not have
been called for, but the emancipation procla-
nation had made the fifteenth amendment prac-
icable. Now that they had equality before the
law, Les them see to IL that the foundation be
laid for the general welfare, which can only be
secured by education, which gives a republican
form Of government strength. In Conclusion.
ne thanked them for the compliment Of the ser,
enade.
AFTER more music by the band, and cheering
by the crowd, they proceeded to the residence OF
zen. Butler, but not finding that Gentleman Ar
home, they continued on to the Ckronirle Once.
1nere brief step was made, and not findng
Sol. forney there, they proceeded to his resi-
oehce on Capitol Hill, where after loud cheers
anu music by the band, Col. Forney made his
cs1,r ance, and was greeted with vociferous
COL RoRNxY's RKNARKs