The New York herald., 1870-03-31
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Proclamation BY the President An
nouncing Its Ratification.
Message from Him to Congress on the Event
He Recommends that Measures be Adopted
to Promote Education-Necessity for an
Intelligent Exercise Of Political Power.

WASHINGTON, March 80, 1870.
The President to-day having approved the Texas
bill so0r thereafter sent his message ana acc0mpa
nying proclamation to Congress announcing the
ratification OF the fifteenth amendment
EXECUTIVE MANSION |
WASHINGTON March 30 1870.
To THE SENATE AND House or REPRESENTA-.
TIvEs:-
1t is unusual to notify the two Houses OF Congress
by message OF The PRONUNCIATION by proclamation OF
the Secretary OF State OF the ratification OF const
tutional amendment. In view, however, Of the vast
importance OF the fifteenth amendment Of the con-
stituton, this day declared part OF that rcvered
instrument, deem departure from the usual Gus
tom tusttfable measure which makes at once
four millions OF people voters who were heretofore
declared BY the highest tribunal in the land not ctt
zens OF the United states nor eligible to become So
with the assertion that at the OF the Declaration
OF Independence the opinion was fixed and univer
sal IN the civilized portion OF the white race, re-
garded as an axiom In morals well IN politics.
tnat "black men had no rights which white men
were bound TO respect" Is indeed o measure OF
grander importance than any other one act or the
kind from the foundation OF our free government to
the present time Institutions like ours, in which
all power Is derived directly from the people, must
depend mainly upon their intelligence, patriotism
and industry. call the attention, therefore, OF the
newly eniranchised race to the Importance OF their
striving in every honorable manner to make them
selves worthy OF their new privilege. TO the race
more favored heretofore by our laws l would say.
withhold no legal privilege OF advancement to the
new citizen. The trainers OF our constitu.
tion firmly believed that a republican form
OF government could not endure without
I'M cation Ueneralv tiuaad arono
the people. The father Of his country mis- farewell
address used this language:-'Promote, then, as
matter OF primary Importance, institutions FOR the
general diffusion OF knowledge. In proportion as
the structure OF the government gives force to pub
lie opinion 1t IS essential that public opinion should
be enlightened" In hts nrst annual message 10
Congress the same views were forcibly presented
and are again urged in his eighth message. repeat
that the adoption OF the fifteenth amendment to
the constitution completes the greatest civil cnange
and constitutes the most important event
that has occurred since the nation came
inyo life. The change will be beneficial in
proportion to the heed that Is given to
the urgent recommendations of Washington,
II these recommendation were important then with
population or but few millions, how much more
important now, with population OF forty millions,
and increasing in a rapid ratio. l would therefore
call upon Congress to take all the within their
constitutional power to promote ana encourage pop
ular education throughout the country, ana upon
the people everywhere TO see to 1t that all who pos
sess and exercise political rights snail have the op-
portunity to acquire the knowledge which Will make
their share in the government blessing and not
danger BY such means only can the benefits con-
templated by this amendment to the constitution be
secured u. S. GRANT.
THE PROCLAMATION.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF State OF the United
States:-
To all to whom these presents may come, greet
ing
Know ye that the Congress OF the United States,
on or about the 9th day Of February, in the year
following, TO witt
resolution proposing an amendment to the con
stitution OF the United States.
Resolved by the Senate and House or Representa-
tives OF the United States OF America in Congress
assembled, twothrds or both houses cOncurring,
That the following article be proposed to the Legs-
atures Of the several States amendment to the
constitution or the United States, which, when rat-
fed BY three-f0arhs OF sad Legislatures, shall be
valid as part OF the constitution namely
ARTICLE 10, SECTION !. The rights OF citizens OF
the United States TO vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United states or by any State
account OF race. color or previous condition OF
servtude.
SEC 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce
thus article by appropriate fegisiaaon
And further, that IL appears from the official docu
ments on die IN this department that the amend
ment to the constitution OF the United States pro-
posed as aforesaid, has been ratified by the Legis
latures OF the States OF North Carolina West vlr
gina, Massachusetts, Wisconsin. Maine. Louisiana
Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arkansas
Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New YORK,
New Hampshire, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia. Ala
Dama, Missouri Mississippi, ONO Iowa, Kansas,
NrInr
all, twenty nine States.
And further, that the States whose Legislatures
have SO ratified the said proposed amendment con-
sttnle three rourths or the Whole number OF States
in the United States.
And further, that 1t appears from an ofcial docu-
ment on file in this department that the Legislature
OF the State OF New York has since passed resoIu-
tions claiming 10 Withdraw the said ratification or
the said amendment. which had been made by the
Legislature OF that State and OF which official notice
had been fled In this department
And further that 1t appears from an official docu-
ment on fle In this department that the Legislature
OF Georgia has by resolution ratified the said pro-
posed amendment
Now, therefore, be 1t known that l. Hamilton Fish.
Secretary OF state OF the United States by virtue
and in pursuance OF the secron Of the act OF
Congress approved the 2Oth day Of April, in the
year 1Sls entitled Act to provide for the publi-
cation OF the laws OF the United States ana for
other purposes" do hereby certify that the amend
ment aforesaid has become valid to all intents and
purposes as part Of the constitution Of the United
States.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal Of the Department OF State
to be anlxed.
Done at the city of Washington, this thlrteth day
OF March, In the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and seventy ana Of the independence
OF the United States the ninety fourth
HAMILTON FISH.
TEE PROPOSED NEW MARKET.
The Ninth Ward TO Have a Suitable Place for