Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-04-08
The Fifteenth Amendment.

We publish elsewhere the proclamation
of President GRANT declaring the flIteenth
Amendment duly ratified, and as a part
NJ tbe Constitution of the United States.
Tits not for Us to review the manner py
which this end has been accomplished or
to discuss its constitutio1ailty. The pro-
clamation by Secretary FISH recites that
tventv-nine States have ratified the amend
ment. To make up this number he IN
cludes New York, which subsequently
withdrew her ratification, and Indiana,
whose ratification Mr.. NIBLAoK asserted IN
the House of Representatives was procured
by fraud and chicanery. But practically
this makes but little difference, as Geor-
Ola will not be admitted to representation
before ratifying the amendment, and this
would make the requisite number, twenty
eight, without counting New York and
Indiana.
To discuss the legality Of coercing States
to vote for amendments to the Constltu-
ton, or requiring them to do so before ad-
uniting their Senators and Representa-
tiyes into Congress would be striking at
the legality of both the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Amendments. The manner IN
which the Southern States have been
forced to give their assent to these amend
rneuts is q matter of history, and will be
indeed of by that record when the pur-
poses of the present have passed away and
the changes which they have wrought have
been tested by time.
But with these things we have now
nothing to do. It is enough for US to
know that the Fifteenth Amendment Is
officially declared to have become q part
of ssthat revered instrument" as the Presi
dent facetiousIy styles the CONSTITUTE on of
the United States. Whether legally or
illegally enacted and ratified, it is the law
OF the land, and it is our duty and pur-
pose to so recognize it. The incorpora-
ton of this amendment into the funda-
mental law of the land settles the question
of negro suffrage and removes 1t from the
arena of party politics. The colOred peo-
ole of the South will find that those who
opposed giving them the privilege of auf-
frage upon principle will be the foremost
to defend them in this privilege now that
the law confers it upon them. 1t will be
our duty. as we'll as our interest, to elevate
the colored people, morally and intel!ec-
tually, SO that they can appreciate and use
the ballot for the welfare of our common
country Destined to live together under
the same general and local governments,
the interests of good citizens, white and
black, are identical, and when reason up
roots prejudice and Intelligence takes the
place of ignorance, none will be more
ready to acknowledge the fact than the
colored people themselves.
In this connection we quote from the
address of the Conservative members Of
the Legislature, giving their views upon
this subject:
'In the last contest i'll this State the |
principal issue was upon the question of |
CoIored suffrage and the civil rights OF the |
colored race. That matter has been de- |
oided, upon q solemn appeal, by the |
people OF the United States The guar
antee of their rights has now become a
part of the Constitution. To that Consti
tuition we have ever been willing to defer;
to the laws made in pursuance OF it, we |
yield, and ever have yielded ready |
obedience.
The reconstruction acts Of Congress,
with the civil and political rights they
confer on the colored race, we regard as q
fnality. We accept them IN good faith.
We are one of the States of tue Union
Let US seek to forget the bitterness OF the
past, TO build up the places made waste by |
the unfortunate war, and to promote the |
harmony and prosperity of all sections Of
cur great country.
The colored man now enjoys the same |
political and civil rights as the white man.
We accept his status as fixed by the |
Constitution of this State and the United |
States in good faith. We regard it as a
final settlement of the question. It now
becomes our duty as good citizens to ele-
vate him morally and intellectually"