Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-31
PROCLAMATION.
The President Declares the Fifteenth
Amendment Ratified.
Official Notification by the Secretary
Of State.
To all Intents and Purposes n Part
of the Federal Constitution.

WASHINGTON, March 30.
To the Senate and House of Representatives I:
1t is unusual to notify the two Houses
of Congress, by message, of the pro-
mitigation, by proclamation of the Sec
retary of State, of the ratification of a
constitutional amendment. In view,
however. of the vast importance of the
Fifteenth Amendment of the Consttu-
ton. this day declared a part of that
reyered instrument, ! deem departure
from the usual custom justlfiable. A
measure which makes at once four mil
lions of people voters, who were hereto
fore declared, by the highest tribunal in
the land, not citizens ofthe United States,
nor eligible to become so, with the
assertion that at the time OF the
Declaration of Independence the opln-
ion was Fixed and universal in the civl-
lied portion Of the white race, and re-
garded as an axiom in morals as well as
in politics, that the black man had no
rights which white men were bound to
respect Is indeed measure of grander
importance than any other act OF the
kind from the foundation OF our free
Government to the present time, lnstl-
tutions like ours, in which all power is
derived directly from the people, must
descend mainly upon their intelligence,
patriotisa end industry. call the at
tention, therefore, of the newly enfran-
chised race to the importance OF their
striving, in every honorable manner, 70
mako themselves worthy of their new
privileges. 70 the race more favored
heretofore, by Our laws, would say
withhold. no legal privilege OF I'D
vancement to our new citizens. The
trainers of our new Constitution firmly
believed Republican form of govern
ment could not endure without intelli-
ge4ae and education generally diffused
among sha people.
The Father Of bis Country in his fare
well address used this language: Pro-
mote then, as a matter Of primary i'm
portance, institutions foF lie general
diffusion Of knowledge, Ia proportion
as the structure of the Government gives
force to public opinion, it is essential
that public opinion should be enlight-
ened. In his first annual message to
J Congress the same words we're forcibly
presented, end are again urged in his
eighth message repeat that the adop-
ton of the fifteenth Amendment to the
Consultation completes the greatest civil
change, and constitutes the mos i'm
portant event that has occurred since
the nation came into life. The change
will be beneficial in proportion to the
heed that is given to the urgent recon-
4aegaations. Of Washington. If these
recommendations were so important
tbeg, With q booalation of but few mil
lions, how R1ch NOE important now,
with population Of forty millions and
increasing in rapid ratio.
would therefore call upon Congress
10 take all the means within their con-
stlt..i.aael power to promote and en-
courage pc,.G.Sy education throughout
the country, and upea kFcrle everywhere
to see to il that all who POSSESS sd ex-
ercise political rights shall have an OPP
pestspity TO acquire knowledge which
vii maks their share in the Govern
Beat . blessing, Ak 2 danger. BY such
means Only can The OepegjS nontem-
plated by this amendment 10 ihe 6opsn-
tuition be secured.
(Signed) L. 5. GRASf.
Executive Mansion, Washington, March
30 1870.